How to Make a Spring Cheese Board

It’s finally spring! Whether you’re making a cheese board for a party, a shower, or just because, you might as well make it as lovely, tasty, and seasonal as possible. Here’s our latest inspiration:

STEP 1: Choose your cheese

• We recommend starting with a creamy, flavored havarti. Roth Horseradish Havarti has just enough kick without overpowering your palate. Plus, it pairs especially well with seasonal ham.
• Next, add a nice, nutty alpine-style cheese. Alpine-style cheeses, like Roth Grand Cru®, have a rich, complex flavor and appeals to just about any party-goer. Plus, it pairs beautifully with nuts, fruits, and ham—which makes it a perfect partner for this spring board.
• Add a pop of color with a mild cheddar or American Original cheese. Roth Prairie Sunset® is a perfect choice for spring. It is slightly sweet with a hint of butterscotch, and so approachable that it tastes great in just about any combination.

Step 2: Pair with Accompaniments

Have fun adding color to your cheese board with seasonal vegetables, fruit and nuts. Here’s some ideas:

• Marcona almonds: These simple salted, slightly oily almonds provide a great crunch between bites.

• Pickled spring onions: You can make these a few days in advance in the fridge by putting trimmed spring onions into a simple brine—a quick search for pickled spring onions or scallions will turn up dozens of tasty options.

• Grapes: Pick your favorite variety—we love the color of red grapes against the color of the Prairie Sunset.

• Rhubarb jam: Nothing says spring like rhubarb!

• Beauty heart radishes: Peppery-sweet and oh-so-pretty, these radishes may look boring from the outside, but when you slice them, they’re show-stoppers. Great on a sliced baguette with ham and your choice of cheese.
• Candied Meyer Lemon: Meyer lemons have a distinctive taste—less sour than regular lemons, with a slightly floral aroma. If you can’t find them candied, you can make your own! Martha Stewart’s version calls for simmering sliced lemons in a simple syrup for 30 minutes, letting them cool, then laying them out on a rack.

Step 3: Add a Base

Bulk up your cheese board with meats, crackers and bread. For spring, we love:

• Country ham: Salty country ham is a great choice for a cheese board, but an unctuous liver pâté would be lovely, too.

• Whole wheat crackers and sliced baguette: These serve as the perfect base for stacking up adventurous cheese board combos.

With these simple tips, you can make the perfect cheese board at home.
Check out more cheese board inspiration!