Cheese to Stimulate the Senses: Charcuterie Table Ideas

Ever since I was a young child, I've had a love for cheese, and not your standard cheddar like my 12 year old today. I would drool over a mouth-watering brie or smoky gouda. Cheese and I have had a lifetime love affair with my tastes only expanding over time.

Cheese and charcuterie are a perfect pair, and there are many delicious cheeses that are sure to elevate any charcuterie board. Here are 8 cheeses worth considering next time you need charcuterie table ideas:

• Goat Cheese: This cheese is made from the milk of goats and is typically tangy and slightly sweet in flavor. You can typically find goat cheese with added herbs or even fruits as well.

• Manchego: This Spanish cheese is made from sheep's milk and is aged for at least 3 months. It has a nutty and slightly sweet flavor, and is perfect for grating or slicing.

• Gouda: This Dutch cheese is made from cow's milk and is aged for at least 6 months. It has a nutty and slightly sweet flavor, and is perfect for slicing and pairing with charcuterie.

• Cheddar: This English cheese is made from cow's milk and is aged for at least 3 months. It has a sharp and tangy flavor, and is perfect for slicing and pairing with charcuterie.

• Brie: This French cheese is made from cow's milk and is aged for at least 4 weeks. It has a creamy and buttery flavor, and is perfect for spreading on crackers or bread.

• Roquefort: This French cheese is made from sheep's milk and is aged for at least 3 months. It has a strong and tangy flavor, and is perfect for crumbling over charcuterie.

• Feta: This Greek cheese is made from sheep's or goat's milk and is aged for at least 2 months. It has a tangy and salty flavor, and is perfect for crumbling over charcuterie.

Some of my favourites are Gouda, Manchego and Brie, what are yours? When choosing cheeses for your charcuterie board, be sure to consider the flavor, texture, and aroma of each cheese and pair them with complementary charcuterie such as cured meats, olives, and crackers. Selecting a variety of soft and hard cheeses and strong and mild cheeses will also ensure there is something for everyone's pallet.

xx Kelly

The Magic of Minimalism: How Decluttering Your Space Can Transform Your Life

A new year is upon us, and many of us are looking for ways to declutter and simplify our lives. Our living space is one area where we can often benefit from some simplification. As someone who lives in a downtown condo, I have made the minimalist mindset a part of my daily life. No matter the size of the dwelling, disorder has a way of invading and taking control.

If you want to adopt a more minimalist lifestyle in the New Year, here are some suggestions for simplifying your space:

Start small: Do not attempt to clean your entire home at once. Start with a single room or perhaps a single area. This will help you feel less overwhelmed and more in control.

1. Set a goal. What do you want to achieve by decluttering your home? Do you want to create a more peaceful and serene environment? Do you want to be able to find things more easily? Setting a clear goal will help you stay motivated and focused as you work.

2. Start small. Don't try to tackle your entire home at once. Instead, focus on one small area or one category of items at a time. For example, you might start by decluttering your kitchen counters, or by sorting through all of your clothes and getting rid of anything you no longer wear.

3. Use the "one year rule." As you go through your belongings, ask yourself if you've used or worn something in the past year. If not, it's probably time to let it go.

4. Make a donation pile. As you declutter, set aside items that you no longer need or want but that are still in good condition. These can be donated to a local thrift store or given to a friend or family member.

5. 5. Get rid of items that are broken or damaged. If you have items that are broken or in poor condition, it's time to get rid of them. Keeping them around will only add to the clutter in your home.

Be discerning: When purchasing new products for your home, exercise discretion. Only purchase items that you genuinely require or enjoy.

Once you've decluttered your space, you should appreciate the free space. Avoid the temptation to fill every nook and corner with additional items. Appreciate the simplicity and openness of your newly refreshed home. For me, there is no better feeling than relaxing in my freshly cleaned and decluttered space. It truly has a calming, therapeutic effect.

The practice of decluttering your space can be rewarding. It will not only help you reduce stress and simplify your life, but it may also make your home a more tranquil and delightful place to be. So, why wait? Start decluttering and adopting a minimalist New Year's resolution!

xx Kelly

Elevate Your Next Party with a Gourmet Charcuterie Board

Charcuterie boards, which are also known as meat and cheese boards, are a fun and visually appealing way to serve a range of cured meats, cheeses, and other accompaniments at parties or as an option for a casual meal. Charcuterie boards may be found in grocery stores and gourmet food stores. Your guests will be able to enjoy a wide range of flavours and textures thanks to these charcuterie boards, and you will have the freedom to experiment and customize the selection of items that should be included on the board.

To begin, let's discuss the meats and cheeses that will be available. Although the choices in this category are virtually limitless, some of the more traditional options include prosciutto, salami, chorizo, and various kinds of ham. In terms of cheeses, you might want to include a range of both hard and soft varieties, such as cheddar, gouda, brie, and blue cheese, among others. Do not be afraid to try new things and incorporate some ingredients that are a little more unusual than ordinary, such as goat cheese or flavoured cream cheese.

Next, give some thought to what accompaniments might go well with your charcuterie board. These can be either sweet or savoury, and some examples include things like olives, pickles, fruit (like grapes or sliced apples), nuts, crackers, and spreads like honey or jam. Other possibilities include a variety of nut varieties. Not only do these accompaniments provide flavour, but they also offer a wonderful contrast to the meats and cheeses that are being served.

Presentation is paramount when it comes to putting together a charcuterie board for your guests, and have some fun with the board itself too! Place the largest items on the board first, such as meats and cheeses that have been sliced or cut into chunks. This is a good place to start. Then, using your smaller accompaniments, fill in the spaces that are left. Make an effort to design a layout that is nice to the eye by, for example, clustering objects that are the same or spacing them out in a way that is aesthetically pleasing.

Charcuterie boards are an excellent way to impress your guests and lend an air of refined sophistication to any get-together you host, and take-out charcuterie boxes are becoming more popular! You can make a delicious and aesthetically appealing board that is sure to be a success with just a little bit of forethought and creative thinking on your part.