A sharing platter is the perfect solution when you are expecting guests but have no time to cook. Everyone can pick what they like, and a well-arranged platter looks generous and inviting even if it took only twenty minutes to prepare.
Choose the basics
For four to six people, two or three cheeses of different textures and flavours and two kinds of cured meat, such as prosciutto and kulen, are enough. Add fresh bread, breadsticks or crackers.
Something tangy for balance
Rich cheeses and cured meats call for something tangy to refresh the palate. That is why your platter should always include pickled vegetables, gherkins, olives or marinated peppers. They are what makes the difference between an ordinary and an excellent platter.
[In-text photo: small bowls of pickled vegetables and olives on a platter]
Add something sweet
Grapes, figs, walnuts or a spoonful of fig jam pair beautifully with cheese and add colour to the platter.
A quick homemade extra
If you have no ready-made pickles, pour a mixture of wine vinegar, olive oil, garlic and dried oregano over cubes of cheese or olives and leave them for half an hour to absorb the flavour.
Arrange with care
Start with the larger items such as cheeses and bowls, then fill the gaps with cured meats, fruit and nuts. A platter should look abundant, so it is better to use a smaller board and fill it than a large one that looks half empty.
Tip
Take the cheese out of the fridge half an hour before serving, as it has a much fuller flavour at room temperature.
