Coming in after a cold, snowy day to a roaring fire and delicious spread is a welcoming sight indeed. The faint winter sun sets around 4 pm in Vermont, which is a hard reality to swallow if you're a sun worshipper like me. However, cozying up by the fire with a good book, blanket, a glass of red, and a bountiful cheese board is a delightful alternative in these darker days. You can easily rustle up a beautiful grazing board by raiding the pantry, the fridge, or a trip to your local cheese purveyor. Whether it's for a festive party or a peaceful evening alone for a night of self-care, putting together a winter grazing board is thoughtful and inviting. They also are so fun to create too! Although it doesn't take an artful eye to put together a cheese board, a few thoughtful touches make it feel rather special. I wanted to share some of my favorite picks and extra bits that add a festive flair…
Winter Cheese Options:
Opt for at least 3 different varieties considering both texture and milk variety, i.e, goat, sheep, cow. For a flavor profile for a winter cheeseboard, I like to think melty, smooth, rich, and nutty like Alpine cheeses or a sharp, craggy Vermont or English cheddar.
If you eat meat, a few cured types of meat is a delicious savory addition to a winter grazing board, especially if they are infused with seasonal flavors like hazelnuts, fennel, or clove.
For a vegetarian option: This Fig Salami is delicious
Something Fresh & Pickled:
Winter can be rather bleak in the fresh, seasonal produce department, but I like to include a few bright and pickled options that are equally as delicious as its "plucked from the dirt" summer counterpart.
You'll need a crispy solid foundation for all the delicious cheeses and meats on the board! You can't go wrong with a baguette or grilled sourdough slices with a bit of olive oil. I prefer to offer three options considering texture, color, shape, and thickness.
Artisanal fruit and nut crackers like ones from Lesley Stowe
Sliced baguette
Grilled sourdough slices with olive oil and pinch of salt
Seeded flatbread crackers like ones from Rustic Bakery
Taralli
Herb infused crackers with thyme or rosemary
Something Salty:
Little hits of salt balance and complement some of the acid and sweetness of the board. Opt for 2 or 3 different kinds to nibble on…
Raw, salted, or roasted nuts such as almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, or pistachios - choose your favorites! I do love to include whole nuts with a nut cracker because they feel more festive
Cider Mustard or Beer Infused Mustard like this one from Heady Topper
Pitted or Stuffed Olives
Sourdough Pretzel Shards
Extra Bits:
These add just a little something extra that rounds off the board; they aren't necessary but including them makes it feel more festive and beautiful.
Local Honey (bonus with honeycomb)
Fresh herbs to garnish such as rosemary, sage, or thyme
Dark chocolate bars broken into shards
Truffles
Nut Brittle
Small vintage ornaments - these add a nostalgia and bit of sparkle to the board which I love
Whole spices such as star anise or cinnamon sticks
Crystalized Ginger
Sprigs of holly, pine, cedar, or mistletoe
Pinecones
Your favorite holiday sweets!
Whatever options you decide on, I'm sure it will be delicious and beautiful! And whomever you share it with will undoubtedly appreciate the effort and care you put into it. (Even if it's just you!)
