Offer fresh, crusty bread to complement the cheese.
Whether you are hosting a large dinner party or a few friends are dropping over for the afternoon, putting out a cheese and olive tray is a great way to offer a casual appetizer that does not require much preparation. Select a variety of cheeses that are both mild and pungent in flavor so that there is something for everyone's palette.
Region or Country
Many countries or regions throughout the world produce both cheese and olives. Therefore, you can create a cheese and olive tray that is dedicated to cheese and olives from one area of the world. For example, if you were creating an Italian cheese and olive tray, you might include burrata, pecorino, parmesan and caprino. Italian olive ideas include calamata, gaeta, ligurian and lugano. If you were creating a cheese and olive tray reflecting California, you might include Monterey Jack, California cheddar, California gouda or California colby jack and California black ripe olives. Check the cheese packaging or olive bottle to determine the native location of the item.
Stuffed Cheese and Olives
Create a cheese and olive tray that is made up of "stuffed" food items. Olives have a lot of different stuffings such as garlic cloves, almond slivers, pimentos, blue cheese, feta cheese and even caviar. These items can be purchased in the jar section of your local supermarket, or you can purchase olives, pit them and stuff them yourself. When it comes to cheese, use recipes for stuffed peppers -- mild or spicy, stuffed mushrooms and cheese stuffed tomatoes. As a complement to the plate, serve stuffed breads such a spinach bread, pepperoni bread or broccoli bread.
Blue Cheese Tray
If you are hosting people who are fans of blue cheese, then create an entire cheese and olive tray dedicated to sampling blue cheeses from around the world. Maytag Blue, Point Reyes Blue, St. Agur Blue, Stilton Blue and gorgonzola are all popular blue cheeses. Add a variety of green and black olives to the plate. Because both of these items are salty, balance the plate out by adding sweet honey, roasted figs and unsalted walnuts. Use light crackers such as water crackers that do not have a high salt content. This will allow the flavor of the blue cheese to really shine, while still giving you the crunch of the cracker.
Variety
It is said that "variety is the spice of life," and it can also be true in terms of cheese trays. The truth is, your guests probably have an array of tastes and flavor profiles they enjoy. Provide your guests with soft cheeses such as brie and fresh mozzarella, and harder cheeses such as an aged gouda or a Piave. Provide your guests with cheeses made of different types of milk such as cow, goat and buffalo. Add fresh fruit to the plate such as strawberries, blueberries and grapes. Meats in the form of prosciutto, salami or mortadella can add a nice touch. Serve the cheese plate with an array of different crackers or breads. Allow 2 to 3 oz. of cheese or meat for each person who will be stopping over. When it comes to olives, hit the olive bar in your supermarket. Aside from the common types of olives such as the Sicilian green, oil-cured and Nicoise, add marinated vegetables such as mushrooms, peppers and cauliflower to your cheese and olive tray to celebrate variety.
Tags: cheese olive, cheese olive tray, olive tray, olive tray, your guests, blue cheese, blue cheeses
