Long before being a homeowner was ever an option, I fantasized about the intricate soirees I’d throw. Hosting friends while offering a sublime spread, I pictured myself as an impeccable hostess, a talented chef, a tastemaker.
However, after struggling to get together with my girlfriends post-family, I realized that the best parties require the simplest measures: good friends, great appetizers, and an excellent bottle of wine. And just like that, I forever became a fan of the Wine and Cheese.
An excellent – and affordable – way to bring friends and family together, Wine and Cheese parties are my preferred “girl’s night in” activity. In addition to offering a variety of tastes and textures, cheese platters satisfy the delicate balance between sweet and salty, especially when paired with fruit and nuts.
The perfect Canadian cheese platter is easy to make! Just mix and match your favourite Canadian cheese types to ensure different textures and intensities in flavour. I always look for the 100% Canadian Milk symbol when I buy cheese because it ensures that your cheese is made from Canadian milk renowned for its purity, high quality and great taste. You should too!
Smooth, wrinkly, mouldy, smelly… there is a great variety of deliciously different Canadian Cheeses to seduce the palate. I always stick to my tried and true favourites – a nutty, smooth Canadian Double Cream Brie (the texture and mild flavour is sublime!); a spicy, firm Jalapeno Havarti; a mild and milky Gouda; a soft, subtle Mozzarella; and a sharp, salty Aged Cheddar.
I love adding a small bowlful of sweet berries and a handful of crunchy almonds as well, especially when I’m looking for the right balance of flavours while allowing the cheese to be the star attraction.
I know I should be more adventurous with Canadian Brie – baking it with sweet or savoury spreads to enhance the flavour. But the truth is, I love it simply served with crunchy pear. It’s a basic, earthy combination that evokes images of a simpler time; I envision a farmer, sitting on his porch after a long day in the fields, settling down to a plate of fruit and cheese while his wife hums a soft tune from inside the house.
I will always prefer a freshly baked baguette over crackers, but I do like to include a variety of options. When I present a cheese platter, I like to keep the carbohydrates neutral and thus, universally complimentary.
Such simple pleasures, so many wonderful memories shared with family and friends. Presented with flourish and flair, I think it is exactly what I pictured all those years ago. For girl’s night, or any night, all you need is cheese.
To discover recipes, tips, videos, and more, visit allyouneedischeese.ca.
Want to win $100 worth of Canadian cheese? Create a Pinterest board filled with photos of your favourite Canadian cheeses. Get the details at allyouneedischeese.ca/contest. Remember to use the contest hashtags, and enter each month for a chance to win!
This looks amazing Lena. Not only is Canadian cheese delicious but it’s a real show-stopper when having a party.
Thank you Candace. And, so easy to create! Cheese plates are the ultimate no-fuss party solution.
i love cheese and crackers!
Doesn’t everyone? :)
Cheese and crackers are one of my favourite snacks. Sometimes I like to melt the cheese slices a little and top it off with salsa. Mmmmmmmmm so good.
Mmmm yes I’ve been known to throw cheese and crackers under the broiler too! Sooo good!
Oh that looks so delicious! I love cheese!
Isn’t Canadian cheese divine?
love the set up of your cheese board, mine never looks that good..lol
Feel free to use my board as inspiration Lynda! Super easy to arrange!
oh my. I loved the picture of the platter, cheese tools in the background. omnomnomnom.
Thanks Jaime!
cheese and crackers are great snack. we mostly use cheese for cooking but have done up cheese plates for guests with sliced up pickles, crackers, meats… no wine though we don’t drink and don’t allow others to drink around our kids either.
Love that you combine pickles, meats and other savoury touches in your cheese platter. Yum!
say cheese, yummy brie is so good, its really good in a toasted tomato, bacon sandwich with red pepper jelly
Oh, that sounds absolutely divine Chandra!
Love cheese and you are right for some get together’s a nice cheese platter is all you need!
Truth! And so easy and affordable too!
I totally agree that some wine, a nice cheese and cracker spread, and maybe some fresh-cut fruit can be all you need sometimes.
Sounds divine to me, Victoria!
Love cheese, anytime! But there is something about having some baked brie with pesto that truly makes my taste buds happy! :)
Mmmm… so good. I’m partial to brie with red pepper jelly or pear jam :)
I love all kinds of cheese any time of day ! Not much for milk so I get my dairy by eating cheese ;) My parents used to joke that they thought my middle name should have been “Mouse” LOL
I will be sure to pass along the pinterest contest to my friends and family that “pin” ;)
Ha! Love that middle name :) Good luck to all the pinners!
My dad disagreed with the middle name though – he said it should be “Bunny” because I also ate a lot of salads LOL
Salads and cheese DO go great together :)
Right as I type this I am making another cheese platter and some delicious Canadian Brie dips for my son’s birthday party. I believe that food makes the occasion and it looks like you guys had a great time :)
Food definitely makes the occasion, and I must try the dip you featured on your blog!
Mmmmmm… I love that cheese board – so well presented! I love all kinds of cheese for my morning snack but my fav is Brie cheese that just melts in your mouth. By the way, you lovely ladies look great in the picture.
Thank you so much Marissa, and Brie is my fave too!
Looks scrumptious! We love Canadian and I must say, you put out a great spread! I need to hire you to do my catering!
Thank you so much Jenny!
Good grief do I love cheese… Other than blue cheese (which I have given a chance to grow on me and it just cant) I haven’t met one I didn’t love :)
I am the same way Soozle!! I’ve given blue cheese many many chances to grow on me, but just can’t make it work :(
That looks very good, you had me with the Brei.
Mmm… probably my favourite cheese at the moment!
That Brie looks wonderful.
Mmm hmm… I can totally taste it now!
Mmmm nothing like a cheese platter
Agreed! So simple and so delicious!
looks amazing omg i love cheese eyeing up that jalapeno yum
Oh, isn’t it the very best son sandwiches! So good!
I’ve cut almost all dairy out of my diet but this looks so amazing… I do really miss cheese!
Gasp! I couldn’t cut out cheese, it’s my one food weakness!
Yum I LOVE Canadian cheeses :)
Yay! Me too Darrah!
That looks great!
Thanks William!
this is my fav post, Im so hungry for the cheeses, that happens near payday and the food has dwindled my tummy growls at pictures lol
LOL! I’m so glad this is your favourite post!
I remember going to the St Lawrence Market in Toronto once & spending $200 on cheese. I was in heaven.
You are DEFINITELY my kind of guy, Rick!
That platter looks awesome! I’m instantly craving cheese.
Thanks Stephanie! I crave it all the time!
Looks so good! Cheese and crackers are my favorite!
Me too Valerie! Thank you!
That looks like an awesome cheese board! I could snack on that any day!
All of the food above looks so good and I swear I could live off of snack foods like this