Creating the Perfect Grazing Board

Grazing boards are the ultimate pleaser, whether it be for an event, a night in with the girls or just a bbq, you can never go wrong.

To me the perfect grazing board has a large variety of cheese, meats, fruit, dips, crackers the possibilities are endless.

Lets start wtih the Cheeses - I like to mix it up wtih different textures and flavours. Here are a few of my favourites:

Camembert

Tripple Cream Brie

Havarti

Cheddars - this is where different flavours can come into play

Cream Cheese - rolled in chives or apricot or chilli

Blue Vein - while I don't personally enjoy it, alot of people still do

Remember you don't need to use all of these just pick 2-4 depending on the number of guests. When placing on your board spread your cheese out, allowing plenty of room between to fill with all sorts of condiments.

Next up Meats - feel free to skip this if you are vegetarian

I like to add quite bold flavours when it comes to the meat selection. Think along the lines of:

Spicey Salami

Twiggy Sticks

Prosiutto

Fresh Ham

Cabanossi

These work amazing at creating little barriers between the cheeses and can by rolling or folding the different condiments can visually give your board a boost. Try not to clump all your meat together in one section.

When it comes to crackers like everything else I try to add a few different kinds depending on what people may use it for.

Cracker "Sticks" are perfect for dips (Personal fave is the rosemary and sea salt)

A cripsy bread cut into small pieces works well with your cream chesses

Mini Toasts are a staple for us. The crunch pairs wonderfully with the soft cheeses for texture.

Thin crackers are always a winner as well

Everyone loves dips, try to cater for everyone though. Remember not everyone may like spicey dips. Some of our staples are:

Beetroot my personal fave is the red rock deli beetroot dip

Pesto

Tzatziki perfect if there are kids that need something more mild

French Onion

Hummus

Pâté

Quince paste

Onion Chutney

Lastely Fruits/ Veggies - while not a necessity always pairs well

Grapes

Carrot sticks

Cucumber sticks

Apricots

Apple

Nectarines

Peaches

Nuts (walnut, cashew, peanut, almonds etc) *make sure none of your guests have nut allergies before putting these on the board*

Sundried Tomatoes

Olives

Stuffed Bell Peppers

Berries

Take your time arranging, grazing boards work so well because there is a little of everything, everywhere on the board.

What are your favourite things to have on a grazing board?

Happy Grazing!