Getting ready for platter season: It’s not just about the cheeses

Once we hit spring, there’s no doubt that part season is just waiting to spring out!

Which means before we know it we’ll be invited to events where we’re asked to “bring a platter”.

It’s easy for platters and grazing plates to get out of hand really quickly in terms of cost and fillings.

So here are your handy hints to keep it simple, while still looking impressive. 

Rethink classic cheese or charcuterie

It’s easy to think it’s all about the charcuterie and specialty cheeses.

But if you don’t have a plan, costs can spiral very quickly.

So here are the tips that’ll keep a classic cheese or charcuterie platter looking lush, without breaking the bank. 

• Make it lighter: Get some seasonal fruit and veggies in there to do the heavy lifting, fill gaps and make it abundant without relying on expensive items. 
• Work in threes: This means you can cap the costlier items. Keep your cheeses, cold meats and dips to three at most. You don’t need seven cheeses and six dips. Three central items is enough and build the rest around that.  
• Add some unexpected items: You can branch out beyond the usual suspects and add some surprise and delight by dropping in some unexpected favourites. Popcorn, sweet berries and even chocolate or sweet biscuits can cut the salty richness of a classic cheese and meats plate.  
• Cut it up: Take the time to cut everything up into manageable pieces. A whole cheese looks good, but uncle Jim will eat it in three wedges if you let him. So cut cheese into small pieces, divide grapes into little bunches, break up cold meats into delicate mouthfuls.  

Paint the plate

This is a truly great way to make very minimal ingredients look impressive. Three dips and a few fresh items and seeds for scattering is all it takes. 

Simply have three contrasting dips and smoosh them onto you platter in artful flower pattern and then scatter with herbs, seeds and extra pieces of smoked salmon if you’re feeling fancy. 

You can also create other patterns and shapes, but a flower lends itself to a stunning final result. Then simply serve fresh veggies and crackers on the side for scooping.

Make it sweet

A dessert platter is one of the easiest ways to light up a table. It’s as simple as adding your favourite biscuits, cakes and fruits and some dipping sauce to a platter. Drizzle it all with caramel sauce and fill gaps with marshmallows and fairy floss and you can’t lose. 

Main items can include:

• Mini cupcakes
• Doughnuts, cut into pieces
• Assorted chocolate biscuits like Tim Tams
• Macarons
• Fresh berries
• Marshmallows

Filler items can include: 

• Fairy floss
• Chocolate dip
• Fresh herbs like mint
• Wafer biscuits
• Scattered lollies

Theme it

Another trick to limit over committing to a platter is to have a theme and stick to it.

That way a few decorations can act as filler, while adding to the look of the plate.

Halloween themes Christmas themes are a great example, as adding skeletons, shaped charcuterie hands or mandarin pumpkins will help fill the platter. 

 Jane de Graaff is Today’s kitchen expert, food writer and recipe developer and content creator for fun family recipes of all kinds.

Find all Jane’s food adventures, tricks and tips on Instagramand TikTok.