Studying the best way to make a French cheese board is as straightforward as 1-2-3 with this easy methodology that I’m sharing at this time on this publish. Whether or not you’re making a board for dinner with a few pals or entertaining a gaggle of 10, I’m sharing the best way to construct a cheese board that’s true to what you’d see in an precise French individual’s house.
What’s a French Cheese Board Referred to as?
For those who go to any French bistro, you’ll typically discover the choice of ordering a combination of cheeses. Typically, that is listed underneath shared plates as a planche de fromages (platter of cheeses).
Different occasions, it’s listed after the principle meals as a planchette de fromages or simply fromages affinés. A planchette is a small platter and affinés simply interprets to aged.
When is a French Cheese Board Served in France?
Whereas it’s regular to see folks sharing a cheese board with a glass of wine at an informal brasserie, a French cheese board is commonly served in between the principle meal and dessert.
At a restaurant, you could select a small cheese plate as a substitute for dessert too, in the event you don’t have a lot of a candy tooth.
That is very completely different from the best way Individuals devour a cheese board, which is usually as an appetizer.
How is a French Cheese Board Completely different from an American Cheese Board?
A French cheese board is completely different from an American cheese board not simply because it’s made with French cheeses, nevertheless it’s additionally far more easy and minimalist compared.
Within the States, cheese boards are sometimes very grand and elaborate in nature. You’ll sometimes discover charcuterie, fruit, spreads, crackers, nuts, olives and all types of bite-size meals that go properly with cheese.
In France, cheese is consumed after a meal and is definitely loved as a type of digestive help with its excessive calcium and probiotic content material. It additionally pairs properly with after-dinner drinks, and is barely meant to be consumed in small parts.
In fact, it’s nonetheless served with a basket of bread across the desk (that is the French we’re speaking about, in spite of everything!), however is well loved by itself as properly.
Why Embody a French Cheese Board at Dinner?
Along with its aiding qualities with digestion, there’s simply one thing inherently charming a couple of well-crafted French cheese board. It’s a easy but subtle solution to indulge within the wealthy flavors and textures that French cheeses have to supply.
Whether or not you’re internet hosting a gathering or having fun with a quiet night, a thoughtfully organized cheese board can transport you straight to the center of France.
How Many Cheeses Ought to You Embody on Your French Cheese Board?
For teams of 2-6, it’s regular to have 3 completely different cheeses supplied in your French cheese board. You probably have 6-10, then you’ll be able to provide 4 to five completely different cheeses.
What Cheeses to Embody on Your French Cheese Board
The important thing to a well-received and broadly interesting French cheese board is selection. Goal to incorporate completely different textures and kinds to cater to a variety of palates.
In France, many have grown up with quite a lot of cheeses and are accustomed to sturdy odors and flavors within the fromage division.
And whereas I personally might be fairly adventurous with my cheese, I don’t count on the identical of my American company.
My common rule for constructing a French cheese board is that this: choose 1 creamy cheese, choose 1 arduous cheese, and choose 1 daring cheese.
The creamy and arduous cheeses are usually gentle and the daring tends to be the one which not each individual might go for; it’s extra of the divisive kind of cheese. If I’ve a much bigger group of company, then I’ll provide as much as 2 from every class (slightly than 1).
Listed below are some must-haves:
- Creamy Cheeses:
- Brie: This extremely creamy cheese is a basic alternative. Its gentle taste is interesting to most people and it’s a cheese that may simply be present in a variety of grocery shops.
- Camembert: In case your company are usually Francophiles like your self, then you’ll be able to go for a Camembert as an alternative of Brie, which presents a barely stronger style than Brie, however the identical creamy goodness.
- Brillat Savarin: You probably have entry to a wide selection of imported French cheeses, then you could discover this tremendous creamy French cheese that’s simply swoon-worthy. In France, they’ll even nestle truffle inside when it’s truffle season!
- Laborious Cheeses:
- Comté: A semi-hard cheese with a nutty style, this cheese is ideal for balancing stronger flavors and tends to be beloved by most individuals. It’s additionally simply discovered at shops like Complete Meals.
- Ossau-Iraty: This presents an analogous texture and taste as Comté, nevertheless it has just a little extra nuttiness and depth.
- Tomme de Savoie: I really like this semi-hard cheese from the French Alps; it delivers a refined combo of nutty, fruity, and salty, abruptly.
- “Daring” Cheeses:
- Chèvre: Whereas not all chèvre is essentially “daring” in taste (a minimum of not in my view!), I do assume it may be categorized as a type of cheeses that not everybody loves. A gentle goat cheese typically brings a contemporary, tangy component to your board, which some folks will love. I really like in search of a crottin de chavignol when I’ve entry to genuine French cheeses.
- Roquefort: This blue cheese created from sheep’s milk is understood for its tangy and daring taste. It’s positively probably the most sturdy and odorous cheese of the bunch, however true cheese lovers will respect this, whereas those that don’t can take pleasure in your different choices.
Methods to Current Your French Cheese Board
The presentation of your cheese board is simply as necessary as the choice. Use a wood board or an exquisite platter to show your cheeses.
You’ll additionally need to spend money on a set of cheese knives to make it simpler on your company to serve themselves, which is the way it’s often accomplished in France.
Minimize just a few slices of every cheese to get issues began, however go away the remainder entire for company to slice. This can assist your company guarantee they’re chopping the cheese with the right etiquette.
Bear in mind, cheeses which might be supplied in triangle wedges or spherical circles must be lower like like a cake or pie. Sq.-type cheeses might be lower horizontally, and the rind ought to solely be eliminated as soon as your piece of cheese is in your plate.
Whereas the French don’t have a tendency to supply any ornamental components on their cheese boards, I do assume it’s good so as to add a small flower, sprig of herb or some sort of pure component for a extra elevated contact.
Serving Ideas for Your French Cheese Board
It’s crucial that you just serve cheeses at room temperature to deliver out their full flavors. Take them out of the fridge a minimum of half-hour earlier than serving.
Pairing wine with cheese enhances the expertise as properly. A Bordeaux or Beaujolais pairs properly with many French cheeses, like Brie and Camembert, chopping the fats content material with its wealthy tannins.
A Champagne or crisp white like Sancerre complement a nutty Comté or tangy goat cheese superbly, and a candy wine like port is beautiful with a Roquefort.
Personally, I simply make a choice of wines out there for my company and share what tends to pair properly with every and permit them to make the choice for themselves. Most company gained’t fuss an excessive amount of as you actually can’t go improper with most French wines or cheeses!
