Whip up this Ultimate Summer Cheeseboard filled with a variety of cheeses, seasonal fresh fruit, plus some sweet and savory goodies. As an added bonus, it has a creamy cheese dip with a hint of smokiness and a bit of a kick that you’ll want to make a beeline for. Cheese on cheese anyone?
Cheeseboards are undeniably the centerpiece of any gathering. It’s an instant, crowd-pleasing appetizer because it’s visually appealing and packed with deliciousness so what’s not to love? There’s always something for everyone to create their very own mix and match plate.
A great cheeseboard doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg if you pick the right type of cheeses and other accompaniments to go with it. I used the new natural cheese line from Applegate and paired the Muenster, Provolone, Medium Cheddar and Pepper Jack cheese with a variety of summer fruits for fun, flavorful bites of cheesy goodness. I also created a decadent Mexican Queso Dip using shredded Mexican cheese and jalapenos, onions and green chiles to dip corn tortillas in.
When you buy cheese at the store, they are usually in wedges that you slice and arrange prettily on a platter. I have a trick for using sliced cheese to make them bite-sized and fun to eat. Cut them diagonally from the top left to the bottom right and repeat on the other side so you have triangular cheese bites. As you can see, sliced cheese isn’t just for burgers or sandwiches! They can be the main star of your cheeseboard platter.
I’ve been a long time fan of Applegate’s high-quality, organic deli meat and I’m excited to partner with them to share with you their latest cheeses! Applegate’s sliced and shredded cheeses source their milk from pasture-raised cows that are humanely raised and never administered with antibiotics or growth hormones (RBGH or RBST). You won’t find added colors, preservatives or artificial ingredients in their cheeses either! Not only that, their new cheese line has also been Non-GMO Project verified to ensure traceability and meet the highest possible standards. This is what sets Applegate apart from a lot of cheese brands on the market today.
Let’s celebrate the beginning of summer with this light and refreshing Ultimate Summer Cheeseboard! Use my cheese and fruit pairing guide so you don’t end up spending hours trying to guess which ones will go well together. If you want to take it next level, make my Mexican Queso Dip as well! It’s super easy to make so it can be prepared in no time at all.
PAIRING GUIDE
1. Peaches & Provolone wrapped with prosciutto on top of a gluten-free rice cracker
2. Pear & Muenster drizzled with balsamic vinegar glaze on top of a gluten-free rice cracker
3. Pink Lady Apple & Pepper Jack with a dollop of fig jam
Mexican Queso Dip
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp ghee
- 1/4 cup onion chopped
- 1 jalapeno seeds removed, chopped
- 1-4 oz can green chiles
- 1/2 cup heavy cream half and half or unsweetened and unflavored nut milk
- 1-8 oz bag shredded Mexican cheese
- 1/4 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
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Add ghee to pan over medium heat.
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Add onion and jalapeño. Sauté for 1 minute.
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Cover and cook until veggies have softened. About 3 minutes.
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Add green chile. Sauté for 1 minute.
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Add nut milk. Heat up for 1 minute.
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Add shredded Mexican cheese. Mix to melt.
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Using an immersion blender, purée the cheese mixture in the pan for 1 minute. The consistency should still be a little chunky.
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Season with cumin and garlic powder. Stir.
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Transfer in a bowl and serve warm with corn chips.
ULTIMATE SUMMER CHEESEBOARD
Cheeses:
Provolone
Muenster
Pepper Jack
Mild Cheddar
Mexican Queso Dip
Summer Fruit:
Yellow Peaches
D’anjou Pears
Pink Lady Apples
Meat:
Prosciutto
Nuts:
Smoked Almonds
Honey Roasted Peanuts
Others:
Fig jam
Gluten-free Crackers
Corn Chips
Check out my DIY Cheeseboard post for another cheeseboard inspiration!
Thank you to Applegate for sponsoring this post! All reviews and opinions are based on my own personal view.
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