I bet you didn’t know that there is a right way to lay out a cheese board. There is no wrong way as well. It depends on your preferences and your personality.
Still, there are some tricks that might have escaped you. This is why I dropped by Happy Ongpauco-Tiu one afternoon. Ongpauco-Tiu is a restaurateur extraordinaire. She handles 14 different food establishments including Pamana, Tsokolateria, and Le’Chon. Found across the metro and all over the Philippines, these ventures indeed keep this mom busy. But she manages to handle it all and even be home in time to attend to her kids after school.
According to her, a cheese board should be a balance of flavors. Salty meats should be complemented by sweet fruits. Tangy cheeses deserve an assortment of crackers. Nuts and other snacks like pretzels are always welcome for texture.
Don’t forget the honey and your selection of jams plus dips. Ongpauco-Tiu says all of these can be mixed and matched in accordance to your taste. This means you are free to explore your local deli and the selection in your favorite supermarket. Have a cheeseboard ready for any occasion and maybe even to match the guests you are expecting. Another thing: it’s not a bad idea to have pre-cut and pre-selected cheese board elements in your fridge, ready to laid out when you have surprise company.
Ria Prieto is an editor, columnist and consultant who loves all things fashion, beauty and lifestyle. To read more of her musings, log on to www.riarecommends.com.
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