Start Turkey Day festivities with an eclectic Thanksgiving Cheese Board. This seasonally-driven cheese board pairs beautifully with Vinho Verde wines, especially the white wine, Alvarinho Deu La Deu. Light and bright Alvarinho Deu La Deu is the perfect wine to open to begin a holiday gathering. When paired with this autumnal cheese board that includes homemade Orange Cranberry Compote, the flavors sing. Guests are sure to love this idea.
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Instructions
Make the Orange Cranberry Compote
In a saucepan over medium-high heat, add the orange segments, sugar, cranberry sauce, orange zest, orange juice and lemon juice.
Bring to a boil, allowing to bubble for 10-20 minutes.
Taste the compote as it thickens and add additional sugar, if necessary. (Do this to your taste, obviously. If you like a sweeter compote, add a bit more sugar in this process. Like it more tart? Start off with 3 tablespoons of sugar, and add more if necessary.)
Let bubble until the orange breaks down completely, about 20 minutes.
Transfer to a mason jar, and let cool to room temperature.
Store in the refrigerator until time to serve.
Put together the Thanksgiving Cheese Board
First and foremost, choose a platter that everything can fit on. (I borrowed a platter from a neighbor, so you can do that if you don’t think you have anything that works!)
Set out the cheeses first, spacing out evenly across the board.
Next, add the Orange Cranberry Compote. (I highly suggest placing it next to the brie because it’s exceptional when served with that!)
After the cheese and compote are on the platter, add the crackers and/or bread.
Fill in the empty spaces with sliced seasonal fruit, nuts and dried cranberries.
Add sprigs of fresh rosemary for additional color, and serve!
Make the Bruschetta
If you’re going the bruschetta route (or serving it alongside your cheese board), toast and slice the baguette.
Serve the warm bread alongside the chutney with a spoon and a small bowl of crumbled feta cheese.
Allow guests to prepare their bruschetta to their liking, and enjoy!
Notes
If you, your family or your guests are nut free, you can easily leave the nuts out of the cheeseboard. Be sure to check your crackers, too, to ensure they weren’t made in a facility that also processes nuts.