Twelve Days Cheese Board (Print View)

A vibrant cheese board divided into 12 sections, combining diverse cheeses with flavorful pairings for festive occasions.

# Components:

→ 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 tablespoons honey
15 - 2 tablespoons fig jam
16 - 2 tablespoons 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 fresh pear slices
23 - 12 pieces dark chocolate
24 - 12 cornichons
25 - Fresh thyme and rosemary for garnish

# Directions:

01 - Arrange a large serving board or platter and visually divide it into 12 distinct sections using small bowls, ramekins, or garnish lines.
02 - Place one type of cheese in each section, cutting into bite-size pieces as appropriate for serving.
03 - Pair each cheese with its complementary accompaniments as follows: 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 assorted crackers around the board to ensure ample portions for each section.
05 - Decorate the board with sprigs of fresh thyme and rosemary to enhance presentation.
06 - Serve the cheese board at room temperature to accentuate flavors.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It transforms an ordinary cheese board into an interactive experience where each guest becomes an explorer tasting twelve completely different flavor stories
  • The preparation is surprisingly simple, yet it looks absolutely showstopping and makes you feel like a seasoned entertainer
  • You can adapt each pairing based on what you have on hand, making it forgiving and endlessly customizable for your own kitchen discoveries
02 -
  • Temperature is everything with cheese—bring everything to room temperature before serving, or the flavors will feel muted and distant. This single act transforms the entire experience.
  • Don't cut all your fruit and soft ingredients hours ahead. The moment apple meets air, it starts to brown; the moment pear is exposed, it begins to oxidize. Cut everything no more than thirty minutes before serving, and keep a small bowl of lemon juice nearby to brush on fruits if needed.
  • Start with less of each pairing than you think you'll need. You can always add more, but overstuffed sections feel chaotic. Simplicity is what makes each combination shine.
03 -
  • Buy your cheese three to four days before serving, then store it in the back of your refrigerator. Take it out about an hour before the board goes on the table so it can wake up and reveal its full flavor personality.
  • The secret no one tells you is that slightly imperfect boards—where the fruit is arranged a little casually, where the herbs are scattered rather than arranged—feel more inviting and authentic than perfectly geometric ones. Aim for 'beautiful kitchen' not 'design magazine.'
Return