do you want to know what my favourite part of the many holiday gatherings are (hint: it isn't the desserts).. the cheeseboards!!!! oh how much i LOVE the cheeseboards. i could literally eat it as the main course & call it a day. my family being the italians we are is all about putting several different cheesy appetizer platters together over the christmas season. i think my sister wins when it comes to who eats the most cheese off the platters.. if she could put the whole brick of cheese on her plate she most definitely would. anyways, i am so excited to be teaming up with Castello this season to share two of my own cheeseboard pairings with you! one sweet & one savoury. this is my sweet & simple cheeseboard. it is made with mild, softer Castello cheeses & paired with different fruits + nuts.

the first thing i decide on when putting together the platter is the assortment of cheese i will include of course! for this board i went with Castello's brie cheese & Castello's extra creamy danish blue. brie is a softer mild white cheese. i don't think i have ever met a single person who doesn't love brie cheese, so this is always a must. brie pairs well with honey, jam, grapes & dried apricots. i provided a variety of toppings for the cheeseboard so my guests can explore different flavour combinations & textures. the extra creamy danish blue is a milder blue cheese that contains extra fresh cream. this richer (but milder) blue cheese is an ideal accompaniment for the fruits + nuts. i also included almonds & candied walnuts that i make myself, they make the best snack and compliment this cheeseboard perfectly!

i hope you enjoy my sweet & simple cheeseboard! below is the ingredient list for this board, including the recipe for my candied walnuts. check back in a few weeks when i share my savoury bold & blue cheeseboard platter, you won't want to miss it!

ingredients

for the cheeseboard

125g Castello brie cheese
125g Castello extra creamy danish blue cheese (wedge)
1 bunch of green grapes
1 cup of almonds
1 cup of candied nuts (recipe below)
1/2 cup of strawberry jam
1/2 cup of honey
assorted crackers
1/2 cup dried apricots
fresh sage, to garnish

for the candied nuts

1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup water
1 pinch of salt
1 pinch of cinnamon
1 cup whole walnuts or whole pecans (or a mix of both)

directions

for the cheeseboard

place the brie & blue cheese onto desired cheeseboard. arranged all other ingredients around it & garnish with fresh sage if desired.

for the candied nuts

preheat oven to 350 degrees.
in a sauce pan over medium-low heat add sugar, honey, water, salt & cinnamon. bring to a boil & cook for a couple minutes to ensure the sugar has dissolved.
remove from heat & stir in walnuts & pecans. transfer nuts to a lined cookie sheet & bake for 10-15 minutes, tossing in between.
remove from heat & let cool to room temperature. store left over in a sealed jar.