• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Listen to Lena

Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

  • All
  • Family
  • Lifestyle
  • Food
  • Travel
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Decor
  • About Lena
  • Contact

#SimplePleasures: All You Need is #CDNcheese

March 6, 2014 By Lena

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!

Filed Under: Food Tagged With: 100% Canadian Cheese, Chatelaine.com, Easy Appetizers, Tasters and Testers

Previous Post: « #ThrowbackThursday: Mario Talks Menstruation
Next Post: Show of Hands: YAY-con or NAY-con for Bacon? »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Candace

    March 6, 2014 at 3:49 pm

    This looks amazing Lena. Not only is Canadian cheese delicious but it’s a real show-stopper when having a party.

    • Lena

      March 7, 2014 at 5:59 am

      Thank you Candace. And, so easy to create! Cheese plates are the ultimate no-fuss party solution.

  2. MrDisco

    March 6, 2014 at 11:08 pm

    i love cheese and crackers!

    • Lena

      March 7, 2014 at 6:18 am

      Doesn’t everyone? :)

  3. sarah sar

    March 6, 2014 at 11:22 pm

    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.

    • Lena

      March 7, 2014 at 6:18 am

      Mmmm yes I’ve been known to throw cheese and crackers under the broiler too! Sooo good!

  4. Doris Calvert

    March 7, 2014 at 1:09 am

    Oh that looks so delicious! I love cheese!

    • Lena

      March 7, 2014 at 6:18 am

      Isn’t Canadian cheese divine?

  5. Lynda Cook

    March 7, 2014 at 5:28 am

    love the set up of your cheese board, mine never looks that good..lol

    • Lena

      March 7, 2014 at 6:19 am

      Feel free to use my board as inspiration Lynda! Super easy to arrange!

  6. jaimeem

    March 7, 2014 at 9:26 am

    oh my. I loved the picture of the platter, cheese tools in the background. omnomnomnom.

    • Lena

      March 7, 2014 at 9:30 pm

      Thanks Jaime!

  7. francine

    March 7, 2014 at 9:26 am

    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.

    • Lena

      March 7, 2014 at 9:31 pm

      Love that you combine pickles, meats and other savoury touches in your cheese platter. Yum!

  8. Chandra Christine O'Connor

    March 7, 2014 at 9:40 am

    say cheese, yummy brie is so good, its really good in a toasted tomato, bacon sandwich with red pepper jelly

    • Lena

      March 7, 2014 at 9:32 pm

      Oh, that sounds absolutely divine Chandra!

  9. Judy C (Judy Cowan)

    March 7, 2014 at 9:44 am

    Love cheese and you are right for some get together’s a nice cheese platter is all you need!

    • Lena

      March 7, 2014 at 9:32 pm

      Truth! And so easy and affordable too!

  10. Victoria Ess

    March 7, 2014 at 11:10 am

    I totally agree that some wine, a nice cheese and cracker spread, and maybe some fresh-cut fruit can be all you need sometimes.

    • Lena

      March 7, 2014 at 9:52 pm

      Sounds divine to me, Victoria!

  11. Rossana Wyatt

    March 7, 2014 at 2:15 pm

    Love cheese, anytime! But there is something about having some baked brie with pesto that truly makes my taste buds happy! :)

    • Lena

      March 7, 2014 at 9:52 pm

      Mmmm… so good. I’m partial to brie with red pepper jelly or pear jam :)

  12. Flora M

    March 7, 2014 at 2:58 pm

    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” ;)

    • Lena

      March 7, 2014 at 9:53 pm

      Ha! Love that middle name :) Good luck to all the pinners!

      • Flora M

        March 9, 2014 at 2:27 pm

        My dad disagreed with the middle name though – he said it should be “Bunny” because I also ate a lot of salads LOL

        • Lena

          March 10, 2014 at 12:10 pm

          Salads and cheese DO go great together :)

  13. Randa @ The Bewitchin' Kitchen

    March 7, 2014 at 3:15 pm

    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 :)

    • Lena

      March 7, 2014 at 9:54 pm

      Food definitely makes the occasion, and I must try the dip you featured on your blog!

  14. Marissa

    March 7, 2014 at 8:35 pm

    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.

    • Lena

      March 7, 2014 at 9:54 pm

      Thank you so much Marissa, and Brie is my fave too!

  15. Jenny

    March 8, 2014 at 6:22 am

    Looks scrumptious! We love Canadian and I must say, you put out a great spread! I need to hire you to do my catering!

    • Lena

      March 10, 2014 at 11:54 am

      Thank you so much Jenny!

  16. Soozle

    March 8, 2014 at 8:33 am

    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 :)

    • Lena

      March 10, 2014 at 11:55 am

      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 :(

  17. loriag

    March 8, 2014 at 9:05 am

    That looks very good, you had me with the Brei.

    • Lena

      March 10, 2014 at 12:05 pm

      Mmm… probably my favourite cheese at the moment!

  18. nicolthepickle

    March 8, 2014 at 11:04 am

    That Brie looks wonderful.

    • Lena

      March 10, 2014 at 12:05 pm

      Mmm hmm… I can totally taste it now!

  19. Melinda L.

    March 8, 2014 at 12:39 pm

    Mmmm nothing like a cheese platter

    • Lena

      March 10, 2014 at 12:06 pm

      Agreed! So simple and so delicious!

  20. kelly young

    March 8, 2014 at 12:55 pm

    looks amazing omg i love cheese eyeing up that jalapeno yum

    • Lena

      March 10, 2014 at 12:06 pm

      Oh, isn’t it the very best son sandwiches! So good!

  21. Cici G-H

    March 9, 2014 at 7:37 pm

    I’ve cut almost all dairy out of my diet but this looks so amazing… I do really miss cheese!

    • Lena

      March 10, 2014 at 12:07 pm

      Gasp! I couldn’t cut out cheese, it’s my one food weakness!

  22. Darrah Bailey

    March 9, 2014 at 11:26 pm

    Yum I LOVE Canadian cheeses :)

    • Lena

      March 10, 2014 at 12:07 pm

      Yay! Me too Darrah!

  23. William Stewart

    March 9, 2014 at 11:32 pm

    That looks great!

    • Lena

      March 10, 2014 at 12:07 pm

      Thanks William!

  24. Chandra Christine O'Connor

    March 10, 2014 at 9:39 am

    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

    • Lena

      March 10, 2014 at 12:07 pm

      LOL! I’m so glad this is your favourite post!

  25. Rick F

    March 10, 2014 at 5:08 pm

    I remember going to the St Lawrence Market in Toronto once & spending $200 on cheese. I was in heaven.

    • Lena

      March 13, 2014 at 7:38 pm

      You are DEFINITELY my kind of guy, Rick!

  26. Stephanie LaPlante

    March 13, 2014 at 4:10 pm

    That platter looks awesome! I’m instantly craving cheese.

    • Lena

      March 13, 2014 at 7:38 pm

      Thanks Stephanie! I crave it all the time!

  27. Valerie Crawford

    March 19, 2014 at 4:04 pm

    Looks so good! Cheese and crackers are my favorite!

    • Lena

      March 23, 2014 at 7:49 am

      Me too Valerie! Thank you!

  28. Susan T.

    April 15, 2014 at 6:48 pm

    That looks like an awesome cheese board! I could snack on that any day!

  29. Debbie White Beattie

    June 29, 2018 at 5:21 am

    All of the food above looks so good and I swear I could live off of snack foods like this

Primary Sidebar

Lena Almeida

Toronto Blogger, Social Media Strategist for Listen to Lena Inc. Television & Radio Personality, Columnist and Speaker. Family Travel Expert. Star Wars Fanatic. Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion. Read More…

Connect with Lena

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Featured

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Virtual Queue Strategies

Five Cool Tips for a Backyard Ice Cream Bar

Beaches Turks & Caicos: Your FAQs Answered!