Housewarming Open House Spread (Print View)

An abundant spread featuring cheeses, crackers, fruits, and nuts ideal for easy guest self-service.

# Components:

→ Cheeses

01 - 9 oz sharp Cheddar, cut into blocks
02 - 9 oz creamy Brie, cut into wedges
03 - 7 oz Manchego, sliced
04 - 7 oz blue cheese, crumbled or in blocks
05 - 7 oz smoked Gouda, cubed

→ Crackers & Breads

06 - 12 oz assorted crackers
07 - 1 baguette, sliced thinly
08 - 5 oz breadsticks

→ Fresh & Dried Fruit

09 - 1 cup red grapes, washed and separated into small clusters
10 - 1 cup green grapes, washed and separated
11 - 2 apples, sliced and tossed with lemon juice
12 - 1/2 cup dried apricots
13 - 1/2 cup dried figs

→ Nuts & Condiments

14 - 1 cup roasted almonds
15 - 1 cup walnuts
16 - 1/2 cup honey
17 - 1/2 cup fig or apricot jam
18 - 1/3 cup whole grain mustard

→ Vegetables & Garnishes

19 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes
20 - 1 cup baby carrots
21 - Fresh rosemary and thyme sprigs for garnish

# Directions:

01 - Place cheese blocks and wedges evenly on a large serving board or platter to allow easy access.
02 - Fill spaces between cheeses with assorted crackers and thinly sliced baguette.
03 - Nestle clusters of grapes, apple slices, dried apricots, and figs around the cheeses and crackers.
04 - Place small bowls or piles of roasted almonds, walnuts, honey, fig or apricot jam, and whole grain mustard on the board.
05 - Scatter cherry tomatoes and baby carrots strategically to add color and freshness, then garnish with rosemary and thyme sprigs.
06 - Offer cheese knives, spreaders, toothpicks, or cocktail forks to facilitate self-service.
07 - Replenish items as needed throughout the event to ensure an abundant and inviting spread.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks absolutely stunning with virtually zero cooking—just thirty minutes of beautiful arrangement that makes your home feel intentional and welcoming
  • Everyone finds something they love, from the blue cheese devotee to the person who just wants grapes and almonds, so nobody feels left out
  • The board practically refills itself as guests naturally gravitate toward their favorites, giving you actual time to enjoy being with people instead of hovering over food
02 -
  • Slice your apples just before guests arrive or toss them immediately with lemon juice—oxidation happens faster than you'd think, and nobody wants to eat brown apple slices no matter how good the cheese is
  • Soft cheeses like Brie actually taste better when they've had twenty minutes to come to room temperature before serving, so take them out of the fridge while you're arranging the board
  • The items that run out first are always crackers and cheese, never vegetables, so buy more of both than your instincts tell you to
03 -
  • Buy pre-sliced baguettes from the bakery section if they're available—you save twenty minutes of work and your hands don't get destroyed by sawing through a whole loaf
  • If you're serving this board for more than two hours, keep a second small board of backup items in the kitchen and swap it in halfway through so everything looks abundant and fresh
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