Book Club Pairing Platter (Printable)

An elegant platter featuring curated sections and fragrant rosemary for perfect pairing moments.

# Required Ingredients:

→ Section 1: Chardonnay Pairings

01 - 3.5 oz triple-cream brie, sliced
02 - 3.5 oz Gruyère cheese, cubed
03 - 1 small bunch green grapes
04 - 1 crisp apple, sliced
05 - 1.75 oz Marcona almonds

→ Section 2: Pinot Noir Pairings

06 - 3.5 oz aged cheddar, cubed
07 - 3.5 oz smoked gouda, sliced
08 - 2.5 oz thinly sliced prosciutto
09 - 2.5 oz sliced salami
10 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes

→ Section 3: Sparkling Wine or Rosé Pairings

11 - 3.5 oz herbed goat cheese, formed into a log
12 - 2.5 oz dried apricots
13 - 1.75 oz roasted pistachios
14 - 1/2 cup mixed olives
15 - 1 small cucumber, sliced

→ For Serving and Garnish

16 - 1 baguette, sliced
17 - 1 box assorted crackers
18 - 3 to 4 fresh rosemary sprigs for section dividers
19 - Honey or fig jam (optional)

# Preparation Steps:

01 - Arrange a large serving platter or board and place fresh rosemary sprigs to divide it into three distinct sections.
02 - Place brie, Gruyère, green grapes, apple slices, and Marcona almonds neatly in the first section.
03 - In the second section, arrange aged cheddar, smoked gouda, prosciutto, salami, and cherry tomatoes.
04 - Lay out herbed goat cheese, dried apricots, pistachios, olives, and cucumber slices in the third section.
05 - Fill gaps around the board with sliced baguette and an assortment of crackers.
06 - Place small bowls of honey or fig jam near the platter, if desired.
07 - Present immediately, ensuring rosemary sprigs clearly separate the sections for visual appeal and aroma.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It looks absolutely stunning on the table—the kind of platter that makes people Instagram before they eat, with its beautiful color contrast and aromatic rosemary dividers
  • Zero cooking required means you can spend time actually enjoying your guests instead of being stuck in the kitchen
  • Everyone finds something they love because the variety is built right in, from creamy cheese lovers to cured meat enthusiasts to those who prefer fruits and nuts
  • It's secretly impressive even though it's genuinely easy—your friends will think you spent hours when you really spent minutes
02 -
  • Slice your apple and cucumber right before serving—I learned this the hard way after they oxidized and turned an unappealing brown, which completely changed how the platter looked
  • The rosemary isn't just decoration; it actually prevents flavors from mingling across sections, which means the pairing integrity stays intact—this makes a real difference in how the pairings taste
  • Don't assemble everything more than an hour ahead of time, because cheeses can 'sweat' and lose their definition, and fresh items will start to look tired
03 -
  • Pre-slice everything the morning of but keep items in separate containers in the fridge; this gives you flexibility in how you arrange on the day without the stress of last-minute prep
  • Buy your cheeses a few days ahead so they come to room temperature beautifully on the platter—cold cheese tastes muted, and room-temperature cheese reveals all its nuance
  • If you want to make this ahead for a specific time, assemble the 'framework' (rosemary sprigs, crackers, bread) an hour early, then add fresh items and delicate cheeses in the final twenty minutes
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