Q:

What are your tips for putting together a good cheese plate?

A:

Use the good stuff! Go to your local cheese shop and share with them what you are looking for, your particular tastes (or those you are serving) and find out which cheeses they recommend. Ask to taste the different cheeses you are considering. Aged cheeses have a stronger flavor as do some goat cheeses. If a guest is lactose intolerant, aged goat or sheep’s cheese is a possible option. Taste, try and enjoy! Here’s a few other specific tips:

1. Use a theme.  Focus on the cheeses of a specific region of the world.
2. Choose a type.  Use cheeses made with each type of milk (cow's, goat's, and sheep's milk).
3. Select a family.  Select a few distinct styles of cheese.  Doing this is a great way to learn how similar cheeses differ in flavor.
4. Choose a texture.  Try creamy cheese such as Brie, firmer cheese like cheddar (preferably farmhouse), gouda or Gruyère; or hard grating-style cheese like Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Try These Suggested Recipes:

• Baked Spelt Macaroni & Cheese
• Yin Yang Cheese Cake

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