Let’s Get Cheesy

Hello Friends!

If you know me then you know I love to entertain. Hosting parties is like my thing. I also love to pick on appetizers and sip my vino instead of sit down dinners (I mean of course there is a time and place for that). On today’s Perfectly Plated I’m talking about the anatomy of the PERFECT cheese plate. Recently, I had someone tell me I should do a post on doing a cheese platter like you would order in a restaurant. Well here you go! MK and I always stay in for Valentines Day, and usually do wine and cheese. There also might be steaks involved. But always wine and cheese.

When I started hosting many years ago,  I did soooo much research on how to make the perfect cheeseboard. One full proof thing I learned was “something old, something new, something goat, and something blue”.  That will always stay in my head when creating this appetizer. A board like this might be intimidating but I can assure you it isn’t hard.

How to Charcuterie:

Here is a list of what I used:

Meats: Pepperoni

Salami

Prosciutto wrapped around mozzarella

Sliced ham

Sweet Sopressata

Cheeses: Asiago (old)

Fresh Mozzarella  (new)

Brie

Goat

Gorgonzola (blue)

I added: Grapes

Gorgonzola stuffed olives

Walnuts

Honey

Raspberry Rhubarb

Fresh Rosemary

An assortment of bread and crackers. Make sure to mix up the texture and flavors.

I recently came to own cheese knives. Why they weren't already a part of my life before is beyond me. But, I thought it would go perfectly with this cheeseboard talk to break down what you use them for.

Spatula: This one is for cheeses like Brie or Camembert

Cheese Fork: Move cheese easily with this to plates

Heart Shaped: Best for hard cheeses like Asiago

Soft Cheese Knife: For Gorgonzola or Mozzarella

No matter what your V-Day plans are, I hope they include some delicious cheese and wine of course.

Swooning Over Skivvies

The perfect Dior word for Valentine’s Day week! 

I have so much to say about this topic that I almost don’t know where to start...

One thing that is still absolutely true is that lingerie is that it is the basis of good dressing. The amazing thing about lingerie is that it can totally transform your mood, the way you walk, and also the way you look in your normal clothes! 

I’ve always loved lingerie and have a pretty huge collection but I think it’s so cool how it has made its was into current fashion with bodysuits. It almost becomes more than lingerie. It becomes a statement.

A difference from the time Dior was in and now, is that I think lingerie as gotten a little less serious. Don’t get me wrong, really good lingerie is worth the splurge and I love my La Perlas but I also like to play with different colors and styles without having to break the bank. 

So even if you’re the only one seeing your Skivvies this Valentine’s Day, have fun with it and make yourself feel pretty!  

Give Me Some Sugar

Happy Wednesday Everyone!

Doesn’t it seem like we were just celebrating Christmas? And now Valentines Day is next week! In honor of that I usually share a tasty treat. I eat really well 95% of the time but I give myself a break when it comes to V-Day. I mean what better of a time to treat yourself? Today, I’m sharing not one but two SUPER easy recipes that you can make for your love without having to stay in the kitchen forever. 

Nutella Pies

What you need:

Nutella

Pie crust

Heart cookie cutters if you’re feelin’ fancy

What you do:

Have a little fun with this one! Play with different sized hearts and make your own design. But basically just fill the middle of your heart with Nutella and add the top sealing with a fork. Pop them in the oven for about 10-15 minutes on 350 but I watched mine until golden brown.  

Red Velvet Oreo Truffles

What you need:

20 Oreos  

4oz low fat cream cheese

Chocolate

Sprinkles to decorate

What you do:

Throw the Oreos in a food processor then add cream cheese until everything is stuck together. Then, make into balls and put them in the fridge for about 15-20 minutes. Melt chocolate, and dip your Oreo balls into it. Add sprinkles and you’re done! Just put them back in the fridge for them to harden.  Store them there too, when not eating.  

Both of these recipes are so easy that they would also be fun to make with your littles!

Enjoy the day, make it sweet!