Pssst, here's a secret: fancy dinner parties are overrated. Sure, it can be fun to throw one of those elaborate, multi-course affairs that include thimble-sized hors d'oeuvres and a6-hour pork roastfollowed by a difficult-to-assemble-and-therefore-extremely-impressive dessert. But often these nights just end up being a ton of work: with all the plating and clearing and washing and serving, it can be impossible to steal more a few minutes just hanging out and enjoying your guests.
这是一个新的方法你下次聚会:ditch the plates, ditch the pretense, and get cozy—and I mean real cozy—with your friends by throwing a platter party. Grab the largest platters or cutting boards you've got, and just put all the food directly on them (the more food, the better). Then your friends can simply dig right in. It's easy to set up ahead of time, which means you can carry on with more important tasks (like, ahem, pouringyourselfa glass of rosé). And when it come to clean up, it's just a matter of wiping down a couple of platters.
To get your party platter right—and looking spectacular—follow these simple rules:
Start with something beautiful in the center of your platter and work around it. A giant ball of creamy burrata or a wheel of rich, triple-cream cheese works perfectly. Pro tip: If you're preparing your platter ahead of time, leave space for chilled cheeses like burrata and add it last; cheeses that are best served at room temperature, such ascreamy labnehsor harder Goudas, can be placed on the platter ahead of time.
Next, add in a creamy dip or two.Hummusorbaba ghanoujis perfect here, because they are both thick enough to dollop directly onto the platter. ThickerGreek yogurt dipsandpestoalso work well.
You gotta give your guests something to nibble on and scoop into those cheeses and dips. A good platter will have a mix of crackers. Get at least two different types, perhaps a sweeter one with dried fruit and a herb-specked one for a savory bite.
There is nothing cheese and meat love more than a good jam, mustarda, or compote. Add a dollop of mustard next to the sliced meats and a spoonful of jam or fruit spread near the cheese—double-dipping encouraged! This is the perfect time to use up any leftovers!
A really spectacular party platter is totally covered. Fill out any blank space with toasted or caramelized nuts, dried fruit, olives, cubed cheese, sliced salamis and cured meats, pickles and other nibbles and bites.
For a pop of color, and some fresh flavor on that platter,add vegetables; carrot sticks, cucumber slices, and halved radishes are perfect for digging into that hummus or snacking on as a palate cleanser. Just before serving, drizzle bright olive oil and sprinkle flaky sea salt and freshly chopped herbs over the cheese and dips for a pretty finishing touch.
