Casual Cheese & Dip Board
Entertain effortlessly with this simple charcuterie board appetizer featuring cheese, fruit and nut snack bites to top your favorite crackers.
Prep time30 min
Total time30min
ServingsMakes 16 servings.
Ingredients
- Swiss and Colby Jack cheeses
- Sliced nut-covered sharp cheddar process cheese spread log
- Strawberry cream cheese spread
- Prepared spinach dip and roasted red hummus
- Assorted fresh fruit, such as sliced apples, sliced kiwi and assorted fresh berries
- Assorted fresh vegetables, such as baby carrots, sliced cucumbers, celery sticks, pepper strips and cherry tomatoes
- Assorted nuts, such as cashews or almonds
- Orange marmalade or apricot preserves
- RITZ Crackers, TRISCUIT Crackers and WHEAT THINS Big Snacks
Preparation
- Arrange cheeses, cheese spreads and dips on large board or platter. Fill in spaces with fruit, vegetables, nuts and marmalade. Add crackers. Serve additional crackers in bowls or baskets next to the board.
- Cheese and dip boards can be prepared for any number of servings, depending on the size of the gathering. Use a guideline of 1 oz. cheese, 2 Tbsp. dip and 1 oz. (or labeled serving size) of crackers* per person. For a well-balanced board, fill in empty spaces with fruit and veggies. For the 16 servings shown here, figure on purchasing 1 lb. of cheese and 2 cups of dip. Have plenty of RITZ Crackers, TRISCUIT Crackers and WHEAT THINS Snacks available for guests to choose from along with the fruit and veggies. *Serving size of RITZ Crackers is 1/2 oz.
Recipe Tips
- Make it Simple
Pre-sliced and cubed cheeses, and prepared dips and spreads can be purchased from your supermarket. For a small gathering, check out the in-store salad bar where you can purchase small amounts of each item instead of buying an entire package of each. For added convenience, look for pre-cut vegetables in the produce section of your supermarket. - Vary the Cheeses, Fruit & Vegetables
For a more interesting board, serve 3 or 4 varieties of cheeses featuring a variety of textures, shapes and flavors. Soft, semi-soft and firm cheese; cubes, slices, logs and wedges all add more interest. Choose fruits that are in season and have complementary flavors and shapes, such as clusters of grapes, sliced crisp apples and soft berries. An assortment of vegetables adds both interest and crunch. - Cheese Tips
For best flavor, let the cheeses sit for about 15 min. at room temperature before serving. If serving a wedge or full piece of cheese, be sure to place a knife on the board for each variety of cheese you are serving.
320343
