Elegant Cheese and Fruit Platter
This recipe guides you in assembling an elegant cheese and fruit platter featuring white cheddar, blue cheese, and Brie, paired with fresh apples, pears, strawberries, grapes, and dried apricots and cherries. It's a simple yet sophisticated presentation perfect for entertaining.
Equipment
- 1 Cutting Board
- 1 Chef's Knife or Paring Knife For slicing cheese and fruit
- 1 Serving Platter or Board Large enough to arrange all components
- 1 Small bowls Optional, for dried fruit or grapes
Ingredients
Main
- 1 block 8 oz white Cheddar cheese
- 1 wedge 8 oz blue cheese (such as Stilton or Gorgonzola)
- 1 round 8 oz Brie cheese
- 1 large crisp red eating apple sliced
- 1 medium pear sliced
- 1 pint 2 cups strawberries, halved
- 3/4 lb seedless green grapes cut into small clusters
- 3/4 lb seedless red grapes cut into small clusters
- 1 package 7 oz dried apricots
- 1/4 cup dried cherries or sweetened dried cranberries
- Fresh rosemary sprigs if desired
Instructions
- Allow cheeses (Cheddar, Blue, Brie) to rest at room temperature for 30-60 minutes.
- Prepare the fresh fruit: slice the apple and pear, halve the strawberries, and cut the grapes into small clusters.
- Arrange the cheeses on a large serving platter or board, spacing them out.
- Cluster the fresh fruit around the cheeses, keeping varieties separate or slightly overlapping for visual appeal.
- Add the dried apricots and dried cherries (or cranberries) to the platter, either directly or in small bowls.
- Tuck fresh rosemary sprigs among the components for garnish, if desired.
- Ensure different cheese types are spaced out to prevent flavors from mingling excessively.
- Present the platter alongside crackers or bread, if serving.
Notes
Allow cheeses, especially Brie, to sit at room temperature for 30-60 minutes before serving to achieve optimal texture and flavor. When slicing fruits like apples and pears, consider dipping them briefly in lemon juice diluted with water to prevent browning, though this recipe doesn't call for it directly. Arrange components visually, varying textures and colors. Place crackers, bread, or nuts (not listed in ingredients but standard additions) separately rather than directly on the platter to prevent sogginess and accommodate dietary restrictions.