What else can you use to garnish cheese? For a sweet contrast to cheese, try fruit spreads or honey.
Sliced Meat
Photo by J. Meier
Sliced meat is a savory addition to a cheese plate and makes a cheese plate a little heartier. Salami pairs especially well, as do other cured meats such as canadian bacon, culatello, lomo, serrano hamand prosciutto.
Olives
Olives and Cheese. Photo by J. Meier
Olives are a popular snack and pair well with most types of cheese. Serve both green and black olives, to add different colors and flavors to the cheese plate. Some type of olives to look for are kalamata, luque, picholine and cerignola.
Nuts
Nuts and Cheese. Photo by J. Meier
There are a few nuts that pair especially well with cheese but really, you can't go wrong with this combination. Consider serving glazed nuts, as the sweetness is a delicious contrast with salty cheese.
Fruit
Fruit and Cheese. Photo by J. Meier
Fruit is the most common pairing with cheese. Both healthy and flavorful, fruit also brings color and texture to a cheese plate. Fruits that pair especially well with cheese are figs, apples, pears, berries and grapes. Dried fruit also pairs well, especially when combined with nuts.
Herbs
Herbs and Cheese. Photo by J. Meier
While you might not want to eat fresh herbs with cheese, they add a brilliant burst of color and pleasing aroma to a cheese plate. Herbs are strictly for visual appeal, and can fill up extra space on a cheese plate to make it look full and abundant. Rosemary, basil and thyme are some herbs to try.
