Seriously Simple: Easy entertaining? It's all about the cheese course
Manchego
Gruyere or Comte
Fresh ricotta
Accompaniments: Apples (Fuji or Pink Lady, thinly sliced), figs, grapes (in clusters), a fresh baguette (sliced) and water crackers.
Condiments: olives, chutney, honey mustard.
Additions: smoked salmon, pates, prosciutto, sliced meats (like salami, mortadella or speck)
Dried fruit and nuts: dried pears, salted almonds, pecans or pistachios.
Dessert course
The colors and flavors of British cheeses -- such as sharp, nutty cheddars and smooth, blue-veined stiltons -- fit well with winter. Pair these with a creamy, mild Camembert or Brie and a triple cream cheese for a well-balanced platter. Small, local farms produce their own artisan cheeses, such as Maytag Blue or Point Reyes blue, so look for their counterparts in specialty shops with good cheese counters. Some examples include:
Blue stilton
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