This Is the Perfect Fall Cheese Board

If you are looking for a way to keep guests satisfied and entertained before dinner, a seasonal cheese board will be your perfect go-to at your next fall party. As holiday celebrations get underway, start considering what seasonal touches you should add to your autumn cheese plates, like fresh fall fruit, spiced nuts, and cured products.

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While fresh berries are out of season by early-fall, figs, grapes, and pears all make lovely additions to your fall cheese board. When you are assembling your cheese plate remember presentation is as important as the quality of your ingredients. Don’t skimp. Choose three of four cheeses to showcase, and serve generous portions alongside fresh sliced fruit, nuts, olives, cured meats, and crackers.

Serve your cheese board with mulled wine, cider, or a perfectly paired wine. Try a bold cabernet sauvignon with sharp cheddar, a mild, sweet port with gorgonzola, or an oaky chardonnay with bloomy brie.

To make fall-entertaining simple, we have rounded up a few essentials for a perfectly curated cheese and fruit appetizer that will keep your guests occupied while you put the finishing touches on dinner.

Spiced Nuts

Try your hand at making spiced nuts. Simply toss the nuts in slightly beaten egg whites, then coat in a mix of paprika, salt, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, thyme, black pepper, onion powder, and oregano, and toast in the oven as described in this recipe for Sweet and Savory Spiced Nuts.

Honey

Honey pairs well with soft, bloomy cheese like taleggio or brie. Add a few twists of fresh, cracked black pepper for a sweet and spicy twist.

Fresh Fruit

Slice fresh fall fruit, like figs, crisp grapes, pears, or apples to serve alongside your cheeses. To keep your pears and apples from turning an unsavory brown while your guests enjoy the spread, lightly dress the cut pieces of fruit in lemon juices.

Olives

The briny olives make an excellent accompaniment to the rich, fatty cheeses. The acidity helps balance the flavors on the plate.

Crackers

No cheese board would be complete without crackers. Serve a variety of shapes, sizes, and flavors from soft focaccia to simple water crackers, or crunchy asiago bread sticks.

Angela Carlos is the Cook Editor at The Daily Meal. Find her on Twitter and tweet @angelaccarlos.