How to : create platter perfection
The expression 'you eat with your eyes first' is certainly true when creating the ultimate platter. Our favourite meal, for any occasion, we teamed up with our friends at Nautilus to provide you with the perfect cheese and wine pairings, plus tips on how to pull a platter look together.
1. Perfect pairings
Sure, cheese and wine goes together, but certain pairings are divine! Our friends at Nautilus have introduced us to some of their favourite pairings. These literally are a match-made-in heaven. Permission to drool.
- Meyer, Cumin Gouda: Pair with Nautilus Chardonnay or Pinot Noir
- Over the moon, Triple Cream Brie & Creamy Blue: Pair with Nautilus Pinot Noir
- Kaikoura cheese, Labneh, served with a drizzle of honey from Marlborough’s oldest honey company J Bush & Sons: Pair with Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc
- Pukeatua Peak, Maungatautari hard goats cheese: Pair with Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc
- Bubbly is a diverse wine that pairs with many different cheeses, try Nautilus Cuvee.
2. Seasonal sides
In summer it's all about ripe stone fruits and berries, in winter time we like to keep our platters seasonal by opting for Tamarillos (which peak in availability around July and August) and persimons, with baby carrots and parsnips as crudités. Keep the tops of the carrots on to add some greenery to your platter.
3. Mix textures on the plate and table
Tactile wooden boards, cool smooth slate, matte marble and soft linen. Playing with textures on your table makes the experience of eating food more sensual.
Top tip: with soft cheeses, place a square of scrunched-up greaseproof paper underneath to protect your boards, this also adds another element of texture.
4. Opposites attract
Salty with sweet, crunchy with soft, position the accompaniments to your cheeses accordingly so the best pairings are easily grazed. Salted almondsor spicy chutney paired next to milder cheeses, goats cheese drizzled in honey... Yum.
5. Layer platter on platter
Create different heights and more visual interest by layering platters on your table, rather than lining them up next to one another. This will allow your fruits, veggies and nuts to overflow from one platter to the next, creating a feast for the eyes. Arrange linen napkins underneath platters as placemats or to one side for catching spills.
6. More is more
With your platters layered, allow fruits, nuts, crackers and bread to fill in the gaps on your platters, spilling over the sides of platters and making everything look in abundance!
Now you're ready to Instagram your perfect platter (before your guests arrive of course!). Be sure to tag us in @citta so we can drool over your perfect platter photos.
