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Cheese Please

Posted Wed, Jan 24, 2007, 2:15 pm PST
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Feel like your dinner parties are getting a little dull? Every now and then, skip dessert and offer dinner guests something extra special. A cheese course is so European, so elegant, so decadent, so irresistible. From the mild to the pungent, put together a diverse selection for a perfect way to end a delicious evening. And this impressive finale requires no cooking, baking, or whipping! Here's how to prepare and present the ultimate cheese course...

  • Set out small appetizer plates, cocktail napkins, and spreading knives for each guest.
  • Print out individual menus describing the cheese selections and place one on each plate.
  • Choose cheeses with a variety of flavors, textures, and looks and serve them at room temperature. Go for a palate-pleasing array that includes, for example, a goat cheese, an aromatic blue cheese, a creamy Brie, a nutty Gruyere, and a salty Pecorino, along with some more exotic tastes for guests who are a bit more adventurous. Place them on a large ceramic platter and put out a small knife for each cheese.
  • Garnish with accompaniments like fresh green figs, sliced pear, apricot, red grapes, raw walnuts, warm pistachios, and other goodies. Jams and chutneys are also a great companion to rich, ripe cheeses like Brie.
  • Serve a plate of crackers, thinly sliced baguette, and nut breads.
  • Top it all off by pouring a little red wine, champagne, or port to end the evening.
And as for all those dessert lovers who think a sweet ending has to include something sugary, let 'em eat cheesecake!

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12 Comments

  • 1. Posted by Veronica H on Mon, Jan 29, 2007, 1:51 pm PST

    Great idea! So many of our friends are diabetic and can not have sugary desserts.

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  • 2. Posted by pezwitch02 on Mon, Jan 29, 2007, 4:03 pm PST

    I love cheese courses! I have so many friends on low carb or no wheat diets that the cheese course is a lifesaver. I usually put out sliced apples and pears for those who don't want to use crackers or breads and an assortment of other fruits for those who like a little sweetness.

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  • 3. Posted by Oil Painting Artist on Wed, Jan 31, 2007, 6:28 am PST

    I LOVE LOVE CHEESE VERY MUCH!!!

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  • 4. Posted by r2d2_20002003 on Thu, Feb 01, 2007, 3:52 pm PST

    yummy.

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  • 5. Posted by kingsusan@sbcglobal.net on Fri, Feb 02, 2007, 10:10 pm PST

    Not useful

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  • 6. Posted by Lilly on Mon, Feb 05, 2007, 7:52 am PST

    Seems like its worth a try!

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  • 7. Posted by juanitaconcepcion@sbcglobal.net on Mon, Feb 05, 2007, 7:54 pm PST

    wtf! lame

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  • 8. Posted by panubox on Sun, Feb 11, 2007, 2:15 pm PST

    I heard Oprh Winfrey rave about the superfoods. Andto my interestshe ranked the Acai berry Juice to be number 1. I found a product, Mona Vie, founded at http://www.monavie-acaijuice.com And I was wondering if anbody knows better about this product, looks good to me but second opinion would be valued. "Stay Connected, good come ogether natrually"

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  • 9. Posted by singtome9939 on Mon, Apr 30, 2007, 9:36 am PDT

    Are you kidding? Who has time to do this? Create individual menus describing the cheese? These dinner parties must be for people who either work part-time or don't have jobs. Like most Americans, I work over 50 hrs a week - give me something I can use in my extremely limited time.

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  • 10. Posted by Queeny on Mon, Jul 30, 2007, 10:46 am PDT

    I actually work 50-55 hours per week and I find time to do things like this. Setting this up on the weekend and having a mid-week cocktail party is a good way to unwind. Often larger suppermarkets (ie: Wegmans) will have cheeses pre-arranged for you, add some pears, apples, walnuts and crackers....there you go, instant cocktail time. Just have everyone else bring a dish and buy a pre=made dessert platter from a local good quality bakery.

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  • 11. Posted by p-life on Sun, Aug 19, 2007, 8:06 am PDT

    We actually easy make what is descriped here in My home country Denmark. Often we use the paper form the chese with the discription. I agree with Queeny

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  • 12. Posted by peacefullyblue22 on Tue, Mar 04, 2008, 1:41 pm PST

    cheese is awesome

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