Combine All The Flavours Of A Cheese Plate Into A Single Dip

A good cheese plate is a harmonious arrangement of several components. The cheese is important, yes, but you also need fruit, nuts, a drizzle of something sweet, and a carby delivery system. Though the mixing, matching, and stacking gives me warm and fuzzy Lunchables feels, sometimes I just want to shove something in my mouth without worrying about “constructing” anything.

[referenced url=”https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2018/09/the-anatomy-of-a-perfect-cheese-board/” thumb=”https://www.lifehacker.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2018/09/Cheese-410×231.jpg” title=”The Anatomy Of A Perfect Cheese Board” excerpt=”Video: Crafting a good cheese plate, board or platter is all about balance. Beyond a variety of cheeses, you need sweet and salty accompaniments to highlight and contrast the funky, creamy, savoury qualities of the dairy.”]

For times such as these, I want a dip, and there’s no reason you can’t combine several cheese plate players to make one. Just take two soft cheeses—I went with ultra-creamy mascarpone and tangy chèvre—and add some dried fruit and a drizzle of honey, and mix it all together. I used dried apricots for my fruit, but figs, cherries, cranberries, or even blueberries would work. For the honey, any will do, but spicy honey adds an extra bit of dimension. Top it all with your favourite nut, and you have a dip to satisfy your fancy cheese cravings.

To make this plate-in-a-bite dip, you will need:

• 100 grams mascarpone

• 100 grams chèvre

• 25 grams chopped dried fruit (I like apricots)

• 1/2 teaspoon honey, plus more for finishing

• Salted nuts (such as roasted pistachios or Marcona almonds) for topping

Combine the cheese, fruit, and 1/2teaspoon of honey in a bowl with a spoon until it’s completely mixed, or use a food processor or hand mixer to get it nice and whipped. Spoon into a serving bowl or ramekin, drizzle on more honey, and top with your chopped salted nut of choice. Serve with crackers or bread, and shovel it into your mouth with wild abandon.