by Will Stanley-Davies 16/01/2025
There’s something undeniably captivating about a beautifully assembled grazing platter. Overflowing with vivid colors, varied textures, and mouthwatering flavors, it’s the perfect centerpiece for any gathering. Whether you’re hosting a casual movie night, an elegant soiree, or get everyone around for a Hottest 100 party, mastering the art of the grazing platter is sure to make you the ultimate host. Here’s how to do it step by step, with practical tips and creative ideas to elevate your board. Read through then check out our Make Your Own Platter to start crafting yours today!
What You’ll Need
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A Good-Sized Board: Wooden, marble, or even a baking tray will do. Line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup or to protect your surface.
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Small Bowls and Plates: Perfect for dips, olives, or any item with oil or strong flavors.
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Cheese: Select at least three types for variety—a soft creamy cheese like brie or fleur d'Orange, a firm aged cheese like maurice or henri, and a bold blue cheese like roobie blue or frieda.
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Cured Meats: Think prosciutto, salami, or chorizo. Fold, roll, or layer them for a visually appealing presentation. For something different you could try a bresaola, coppa or jamon iberico from Cured Orange.
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Crackers and Breads: Include a mix of textures and flavors, from water crackers to seeded oat biscuits, and thinly sliced sourdough, ciabatta or baguette. Checkout our range from Racine Bakery and The Sugar Mill Cafe.
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Fruits and Vegetables: Fresh and dried options like grapes, berries, figs, sliced apples, celery, and capsicum add both color and freshness. Go local and grab some fresh off the tree apricots, peaches and nectarines for a seasonal, tasty touch!
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Nuts and Dried Fruit: Fill in gaps with raw cashews, hazelnuts, pistachios, or Medjool dates.
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Dips and Condiments: Hommus, chutney, pesto, and fig jam pair perfectly with cheeses and crackers. Fresh Fodder, Greentrees Gourmet Preserves and Just Homegrown all have a big range of tasty dips and condiments to try.
Step 1: Choose Your Board and Layout
Start by selecting your board. If you don’t have a dedicated cheese board, don’t worry! A chopping board, baking tray, or even a marble pastry slab works beautifully. Arrange small bowls or ramekins where dips, olives, or messy items will go. Place them asymmetrically to create visual interest and leave room for other elements to flow around them.
Pro Tip: Using a baking tray with sides is ideal for transporting your platter to a party. Wrap it tightly with plastic wrap to keep everything secure.
Step 2: Anchor with Cheese
Cheese is often the star of the show, so start by placing your selections around the board. Cut into one or two pieces to make them look inviting. For example, slice into a wedge of brie or crumble some blue cheese.
Cheese Ideas:
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Creamy: Brie, Fleur d'Orange
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Firm: Maurice, Henri
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Bold: Roobie Blue, Frieda
Step 3: Add Meats
Next, layer in your cured meats. Fold or roll slices for easy grabbing and a touch of elegance. A chorizo rose can act as a striking focal point: layer slices around the rim of a wine glass, invert, and voilà!
Meat Ideas:
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Prosciutto
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Salami
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Chorizo
Step 4: Incorporate Crackers and Bread
Place crackers and sliced bread in groups around the board. You can fan them out in straight or curved lines for an organized yet inviting look. Include robust crackers for dipping and lighter options to pair with cheese.
Pro Tip: Keep extra crackers nearby to replenish as needed!
Step 5: Add Fresh Produce
Frame your platter with fresh fruits and vegetables. Slice apples and pears (dip them in lemon water to prevent browning) and add small bunches of grapes, cherry tomatoes on the vine, and vibrant berries.
Pro Tip: Keep grapes on the vine and cherries on their stems to maintain a natural and rustic appeal.
Step 6: Fill in with Nuts and Dried Fruit
Scatter nuts, dried fruits, and other small items to fill in any gaps. These “fillers” make your board look lush and abundant while adding a delightful crunch and sweetness.
Ideas for Fillers:
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Nuts: Pistachios, almonds, pecans
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Dried Fruits: Apricots, figs, Medjool dates
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Small Snacks: Pretzels, dark chocolate pieces
Step 7: Add Dips and Condiments
Spoon dips into small bowls and arrange them strategically. Pair complementary flavors nearby, like fig jam next to brie or gherkins beside cured meats. Don’t forget to transfer store-bought dips into decorative bowls for a homemade touch.
Dip Suggestions:
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Hommus
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Taramasalata
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Dukkah
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Fig or onion chutney
Step 8: Final Touches
Once your platter is mostly assembled, look for any empty spaces. Fill these with fresh herb sprigs (like rosemary or thyme) for a pop of color and a lovely aroma. Add a small bowl for discarding toothpicks or grape stems to keep things tidy.
Tips for Success
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Keep It Easy to Serve: Pre-cut cheeses and separate meat slices for easy grabbing.
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Mix Colors and Textures: Alternate light and dark items for visual appeal.
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Plan Ahead: Make a shopping list considering the size of your board, the number of guests, and dietary preferences. Check out our Make Your Own Platter to help!
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Don’t Forget Utensils: Cheese knives, spoons for dips, and plenty of napkins are a must.
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Transport Like a Pro: Use a tray with edges and cover with plastic wrap for secure travel.
Unleash Your Creativity
Every grazing platter is unique, reflecting the tastes and creativity of its maker. Feel free to experiment with themes—a Mediterranean spread with feta, olives, and pita bread, or a dessert platter with chocolates, strawberries, and mascarpone. Whatever you choose, your guests will appreciate the effort and love you’ve poured into this edible work of art.
Now it’s your turn! Share your grazing platter creations and let us know what combinations stole the show.