Looking for ways to impress your guests this holiday season without making a big investment of time or energy? Making a cheese board like a pro is easy when following this step-by-step guide from BriarPatch Food Co-op.

Select diverse tastes, textures, colors and flavors from the Co-op’s bulk, produce, sliced meat and cheese sections — don’t be afraid to be creative and go a little wild.

First, choose a variety of cheeses: cow, goat, sheep, soft, aged, blue, etc.

Next, place accompaniments next to cheeses they pair well with. For example, candied pecans and pears go well with Gjetost goat cheese and pears and olives go nicely with Humboldt Fog.

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Fill in the gaps between the cheeses with varied colors and textures – nuts, olives, dried fruit. Add a simple bowl of grapes for a fresh touch.

Leave some space for hearty seed and grain crackers always making sure to provide a gluten free variety for guests.

Remember to put out a selection of non-cheese dips, also. Think color and texture. This is an area of the table where going vegan is encouraged. Use a variety of serving bowls and dishes to keep things relaxed and fun. Pile it high, watch it fly.

Here’s a spread that is sure to please:

Gjetost – Ski Queen Goat Cheese

Humboldt Fog Goat Cheese – Cypress Grove

Marin French Cheese – Petite Breakfast Fresh Brie

Montchevre – Cranberry Cinnamon Goat Cheese

Mull of Kintyre – Extra Mature Scottish Cheddar Cheese

Fromager d’Affinois Gulloteau

Applegate Organic Uncured Genoa Salami

Applegate Prosciutto

Sonoma Creamery Cheese Crisps – Pepper Jack

Blue Diamond Almond Nut Thins

Raincoast Crisp Cranberry and Hazelnut

NU Culture Creamy Cashew Bacony Chipotle Spread

BriarPatch Deli-made Pesto Spread

Toby’s Vegan Pate

Find more holiday recipes, party and gift ideas at https://www.briarpatch.coop/christmas-2019/

Source: BriarPatch Food Co-op