Twelve Days Cheese Board (Printer View)

A festive cheese board featuring twelve distinct cheeses paired with unique accompaniments for holiday celebrations.

# What you'll need:

→ Cheeses

01 - 1.76 oz Brie
02 - 1.76 oz Aged Cheddar
03 - 1.76 oz Manchego
04 - 1.76 oz Roquefort or Blue Cheese
05 - 1.76 oz Goat Cheese
06 - 1.76 oz Gruyère
07 - 1.76 oz Camembert
08 - 1.76 oz Gouda
09 - 1.76 oz Comté
10 - 1.76 oz Pecorino
11 - 1.76 oz Havarti
12 - 1.76 oz Smoked Cheese (e.g., Smoked Provolone)

→ Pairings & Accompaniments

13 - 12 slices artisanal bread or assorted crackers
14 - 2 tbsp honey
15 - 2 tbsp fig jam
16 - 2 tbsp whole grain mustard
17 - 24 seedless grapes
18 - 12 dried apricots
19 - 12 walnut halves
20 - 12 toasted almonds
21 - 12 thin apple slices
22 - 12 slices fresh pear
23 - 12 pieces dark chocolate
24 - 12 cornichons
25 - Fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary) for garnish

# Method:

01 - Arrange a large serving board or platter and delineate 12 equal sections using small bowls, ramekins, or garnish lines.
02 - Distribute one cheese per section, cutting into bite-sized pieces as appropriate for presentation.
03 - Complement each cheese with its unique accompaniments, for example: Brie with honey and apple slice; Aged Cheddar with fig jam and walnut; Manchego with quince paste and almond; Roquefort with pear slice and walnut; Goat Cheese with thyme and grape; Gruyère with mustard and cornichon; Camembert with apple and almond; Gouda with dried apricot and chocolate; Comté with grape and walnut; Pecorino with pear and honey; Havarti with fig jam and almond; Smoked Cheese with cornichon and dark chocolate.
04 - Place artisanal bread slices or crackers around the board, ensuring enough for each cheese section.
05 - Decorate the board with fresh herbs such as thyme and rosemary for visual appeal and aroma.
06 - Present the board at room temperature to maximize flavor and texture.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks absolutely show-stopping on any table, and here's the secret—it's easier to pull together than people think
  • Everyone finds their own favorite pairing, which always sparks the most delightful conversations about flavor and memory
  • You can prep it entirely ahead of time, leaving you free to actually enjoy your guests instead of being stuck in the kitchen
  • Each 'day' is a small adventure, transforming a simple cheese board into an interactive experience
02 -
  • Cheese is a living thing—pull it from the refrigerator at least thirty minutes before serving. Cold cheese is muted cheese, and you've chosen these varieties for their voice
  • The pairing combinations I've suggested are starting points, not laws. Trust your instincts—if something doesn't sound right to you, swap it for what does
  • Overloading each section with too many accompaniments actually diminishes the experience. Restraint is elegant, and it lets each flavor breathe
03 -
  • Buy your cheeses from a real cheesemonger if you can—they'll let you taste before buying and can suggest unexpected pairings that elevate the whole board
  • Label each section with small cards if you're serving to a crowd. It transforms the board into an educational experience and gives people permission to be curious
  • The day before your gathering, do everything except arrange the accompaniments. This takes pressure off your day and means you're only doing final touches right before guests arrive
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