How to Build a Vegan Cheese Board
Beginning my own plant based creamery in Rochester NY has been one of the most rewarding additions to what I do with Spirit and Abundance. Plant based cheese is a blank canvas for an infinite number of variations and flavors. I’m only in the beginning stages of this new adventure. But, I wanted to share with you some of the wonderful things you can do with any plant based cheese this holiday season.
The holidays have always been a time to enjoy the company of the people you love over delicious food. This year the gatherings may be smaller, but a cheese board is something you can put together for a large crowd or an intimate snack for two.
So how do you put together a plant based cheese board?
Let's talk about cheese.
You can find Plant based or vegan cheeses in speciality or health food stores across the United States. If you live in a major city like NYC or LA, you may have access to a bit more variety of cheeses. But I assure you no matter where you live, you can find something amazing to put on your board. I also create artisanal cultured nut cheeses in Rochester NY which you can order here.
The biggest thing to think about when picking cheese is variety. You want a mix of texture and most importantly flavor. Something more intense like a smoked or cheddar cheese paired with a lighter chive spread or goat style cheese. The idea is that the board will have something for everyone. I would aim for 2-3 different cheeses and possibly a spread like hummus to add even more variety.
Pair your cheese with infinite possibilities
Then I like to add pastes, spreads or dips. Now we’re getting into what can make your cheese board more seasonal or holiday. The sky's the limit with the combinations you can come up with. Some more winter spreads I would suggest are:
apple butter
cranberry sauce
quince paste
mango chutney
Add a vessel for your cheese.
When it comes to the crackers, there’s no wrong choice. You’re looking for different shapes and textures. So you could cut a baguette on the bias or go for a round and rectangular shape cracker. Gluten free crackers are easy to find and can make your cheese board allergen friendly.
Now it's time to fill in all those nooks and crannies!
Add your favorite seasonal dried or fresh fruit. I prefer a mix of both on my cheese boards. So for a winter board look for fresh fruits like
mandarin oranges
apples
pears
grapes
For wintery dried fruits I recommend
dried cherries
cranberries
dates.
Add some texture and more flavor
Finally, add nuts or seeds. For winter, pumpkin seeds, walnuts and pecans are amazing choices. Give them a gentle toast in a 350 degree oven for about 5 minutes to bring out their flavor.
You can also garnish your cheese board with fresh herbs to add a wintery flourish or wisps of green.
A cheese board should be about exploration and adventure. Finding new flavor pairings to love and share. Adding a variety of fruits, nuts, seeds, cheeses and spreads will make the experience that much more fun.
When it comes to physically building your cheese board, I would follow these steps.
Put the cheese on your board first as it is generally the biggest pieces of your plate
Add your dips, spreads or pastes
Outline your cheeses and spreads with your crackers or bread
Add your pieces or slices of fresh fruit
Fill in any blank spaces with toasted nuts or seeds and dried fruit
Please let me know if you build a plant based cheese board this holiday season! I would love to see your creations and your favorite flavor pairings!