• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Meet Kelly
  • Browse All Recipes
  • Contact

The Anthony Kitchen logo

  • Recipe Index
  • Dinner Ideas
  • Dessert
  • Entertaining
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Contact
  • Stay in touch...

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home · Recipes · Charcuterie Boards · Warm Weather Cheese Platter | Entertaining Ideas

    February 3, 2017

    Warm Weather Cheese Platter | Entertaining Ideas

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    A white serving platter topped with apricots, blue cheese, a jar of honey, bundle of grapes and an assortment of crackers.

    A cheese platter that is perfect for entertaining and game days.

     

    If you've been around The Anthony Kitchen for even a short stint of time, you know I am a serious lover of cheese, and a major advocate for the cheese course. If you were to do you're research...which ya, know, you don't have to cause I'll gladly do it for ya...you would find that it is customary when creating a cheese course to serve a selection of three cheeses that vary either by source (e.g., cow, sheep, goat), texture (e.g., soft cheese, semi-firm or hard) or even origin (i.e., where it's made). To be completely honest with you, the most important thing about a cheese course to me is simply a variety of cheeses that I can pair with cohesive ingredients on the platter. I always take either the season or the occasion under consideration first and foremost.

    So here's the deal: Cheese isn't necessarily "seasonal," so even though you don't want to distract from the cheese, and it should absolutely remain the star of the show, it's not the first thing I decide on when creating a cheese platter. This platter specifically was designed for a girl's dinner I was hosting during late spring. I wanted light and bright flavors that would celebrate the season, so I chose to focus on the fresh flavors and sweet notes of both honey and apricots. Now I had to determine which cheeses would pair perfectly with my seasonal picks. After doing a bit of research, I found that goat cheese and blue cheese would go nicely with both honey and apricots. Again, it's important when preparing a cheese platter that you choose ingredients that will enhance the qualities of your cheese. I chose to top my fresh goat cheese with just a touch of apricot jam. It was a simple and scrumptious little touch the ladies absolutely adored.

    Fresh fruit is always a welcomed addition on a cheese platter. I chose fresh apricots, but if you have yet to get a hold of them this season, peaches would be a nice addition as well. The hit the blue cheese with a generous drizzle of honey, and then it was on to cheese number three. Both goat cheese and blue cheese possess very strong flavors. For my third cheese, I wanted something mild and also a little firmer. Have you ever had Wensleydale cheese? It's one of my favorites. It's a little crumbly, just the right amount of salty and sweet, plus I found one laden with blueberries. Blueberries, apricots and honey all play extremely well together so that one was a no-brainer for me. Throw in a few water crackers, stoneground crackers and a little side of honey in case your guests want more , and that's all she wrote. Oh wait, no. And, grapes...because, well grapes are always welcomed on a cheese platter. Ok, now that's all she wrote. Oh wait, one more thing. Sorry. I just can't seem to control myself: If you have trouble finding Wensleydale, you could easily substitute a young Gruyere or White Cheddar. For more cheese course ideas, click here.

     

    5 from 3 votes
    Print
    Warm Weather Cheese Platter
    Prep Time
    10 mins
    Total Time
    10 mins
     

    The perfect cheese platter for spring and summer entertaining! Featuring stone fruits, berry-infused cheeses, and bright flavors.

    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Warm Weather Cheese Platter
    Servings: 15 Servings
    Calories: 120 kcal
    Author: Kelly Anthony
    Ingredients
    • 1 4 ounce log of fresh goat cheese
    • 1 wedge of blue cheese such as Maytag, Danish or Gorgonzola Dulce
    • 1 small wedge of Wensleydale with Blueberries
    • 2 tablespoons of apricot jam
    • 1 tablespoon of honey for drizzling plus ¼ cup served on the side (if desired)
    • 3-4 apricots halved
    • 2-3 cups of red or green grapes snipped into snack-sized clusters
    • 1 sleeve of Water or Stoneground Crackers
    Instructions
    1. Set out cheeses an hour or so before serving. Place the goat cheese in a small serving vessel just large enough to hold it and top it with apricot jam. Place on a large serving platter/board, desired. Place blue cheese on the platter and drizzle with honey. Place Wensleydale on the platter as well. Fill in empty spaces with apricot halves, grapes and crackers, serve and enjoy.
    Recipe Notes

    *Make this an easy, gluten-free starter by simply serving your cheeses with gluten-free crackers!

    Nutrition Facts
    Warm Weather Cheese Platter
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 120 Calories from Fat 63
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 7g11%
    Saturated Fat 4g25%
    Cholesterol 17mg6%
    Sodium 201mg9%
    Potassium 87mg2%
    Carbohydrates 10g3%
    Fiber 1g4%
    Sugar 7g8%
    Protein 5g10%
    Vitamin A 301IU6%
    Vitamin C 2mg2%
    Calcium 107mg11%
    Iron 1mg6%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

     

     

    Other Ingredients that would pair well with your cheese platter:

    Walnuts

    Fresh Sliced Peaches

    Fresh Blueberries

    Toast Points

    « Pork Loin Tacos
    Crispy Chicken Sandwich »
    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Yummly

    Looking for more recipes?

    Be sure to check out the recipe index where you can browse recipes by meal type and category!

    Check Out the Recipe Index

    Primary Sidebar

    I’m Kelly Anthony — a baker, home chef, and mom with a passion for food and an adoration for entertaining.

    Comfort food is my specialty, and it is truly my pleasure to share these recipes with you. If you’d like to get to know me a little better, click here.

    Trending recipes

    • Easy Taco Salad Recipe
    • Italian Margarita
    • Sugar Rim For Cocktails
    • Peach Muffins
    • Crumble Topping
    • Pineapple Mojito

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign up for weekly recipes
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

    Contact

    • Work with me
    • Contact