12ozcheddar or another hard cheese(I used a cranberry white cheddar and a blueberry vodka cheddar, both from Aldi)
5ozstilton or another soft cheese(I used a cranberry stilton from Aldi)
5ozblue cheese (I used blue cheese from Aldi)
3cupsassorted crackers(a box of assorted "entertaining crackers" is great for this)
1cupfresh strawberries
1cupfresh raspberries
⅓cupstrawberry jam(or use a another type of red fruit jam)
½cupgreen olives
½cupnuts(I used skin-on almonds and marcona almonds)
Instructions
Slice the cheese into assorted shapes and place on the platter.
Place the jam and olives into small dishes, and place the dishes on the platter.
Add crackers to the platter, fanning out the crackers as you go.
Fill in the holes with the strawberries, raspberries, and nuts.
Notes
Examples of hard cheeses include cheddar, manchego, gouda, colby jack, and Parmigiano Reggiano.Soft cheeses include goat cheese, brie, camembert, and fresh mozzarella.Blue cheeses include gorgonzola, stilton, and roquefort.Choose cheeses that you enjoy! You can find seasonal cheeses such as cranberry cheddar in December at stores such as Aldi, Whole Foods Market, and your local grocery store. Amp up the red and green theme with strawberries, raspberries, green olives, strawberry jam, and small red or green dishes for items such as marinated mushrooms, olives, or jam.