Save I discovered this platter on a grey afternoon when a friend arrived with a small jar of lavender honey from a market in Provence. We had some soft cheeses in the fridge and suddenly I was arranging purples and greys on a board, watching how the light caught the edible flowers. It felt less like cooking and more like creating something to admire before eating it.
The first time I built this board for guests, I was nervous about whether lavender-coated cheese would actually work. Someone cut into the goat cheese, spread it on a cracker with a cluster of grapes, and their eyes went quiet for a moment. That's when I knew it had clicked.
Ingredients
- Lavender-coated goat cheese: The floral coating isn't overwhelming if you choose one with restraint, and slicing it into rounds makes it feel intentional rather than scattered.
- Ash-rinded brie: This cheese has a quiet elegance and the ash coating adds visual drama without competing with the lavender theme.
- Grapes: Halving them releases their juices slightly and makes them easier to eat with other components.
- Fresh figs: They bridge the gap between sweet and savory, and their seeds add texture that dried versions can't quite match.
- Candied nuts: The sweetness anchors the cheese and adds crunch that invites people to keep building bites.
- Lavender honey: A small drizzle over the goat cheese completes the story, though regular honey works if you can't find it.
- Edible flowers: Source these from food suppliers you trust, they're the final detail that makes people pause and take a photograph.
- Charcoal or black sesame crackers: The dark color creates contrast and complements the cheese without distracting from it.
Instructions
- Start with the board:
- Choose something with depth and character, not too small. You want room to breathe between components so nothing feels crowded.
- Place your cheeses first:
- Arrange the goat cheese rounds and brie wedges with intentional spacing, leaving room for everything else to live around them.
- Build clusters of fruit:
- Group the halved grapes and quartered figs in small piles, letting their colors create natural gathering points on the board.
- Scatter the candied nuts:
- Distribute them between cheese and fruit, filling gaps while creating visual pathways for the eye to follow.
- Add honey and garnish:
- Drizzle lavender honey over the goat cheese, then crown the board with edible flowers and thyme sprigs for color and fragrance.
- Toast and arrange bread:
- Slide toasted baguette slices and dark crackers around the board's edges, giving people clear entry points to build their bites.
- Serve with intention:
- Bring it to the table while the moment feels fresh and let guests explore at their own pace.
Save What surprised me most was how a cheese board became a conversation starter rather than just an appetizer. People slowed down, asked about each element, and built combinations they'd never thought of before. It stopped being about hunger and became about exploration.
Understanding Cheese Board Composition
A successful board isn't about abundance, it's about contrast and balance. You need something creamy, something textured, something sweet, and something savory so that every bite someone builds feels intentional. The colors should guide the eye while the textures invite the hand.
Wine and Beverage Pairing
A chilled Provence rosé mirrors the lavender theme without competing with it, while a Gewürztraminer picks up the floral notes and adds subtle spice. Even a sparkling wine works if that's what you have on hand, cutting through the richness of the brie while letting the goat cheese shine.
Building Your Perfect Bite
The best part of this platter is watching people discover their own combinations. Some will stack goat cheese with fig and candied walnut, others will pair brie with grape and thyme. There's no wrong way to eat this board, which is exactly why it works.
- Start with a small bite of plain goat cheese to taste the lavender before adding other flavors to it.
- The charcoal crackers pair especially well with brie because their earthiness complements the mushroom undertones.
- If edible flowers feel intimidating, remember they're meant to be a delicate garnish, not the main event.
Save This platter taught me that sometimes the most impressive things you can offer are the ones that take no cooking at all, just thoughtfulness. It's the kind of thing people remember more for how it made them feel than what it tasted like.
Recipe Guide
- → What cheeses are featured in the Lavender Haze board?
Lavender-coated goat cheese and ash-rinded brie forms the creamy, aromatic base of the board.
- → Can I substitute the bread for dietary needs?
Gluten-free crackers can replace the baguette to accommodate gluten sensitivities without sacrificing texture.
- → How does lavender honey enhance this spread?
Lavender honey adds a subtle floral sweetness that complements the goat cheese and fresh fruit flavors beautifully.
- → What garnishes add visual appeal to the board?
Edible flowers like violets or pansies alongside fresh thyme sprigs create eye-catching color and aroma.
- → Which wines pair well with this cheese board?
Floral white wines such as Gewürztraminer or chilled Provence rosé wonderfully complement the delicate flavors.
- → Are nuts included in this arrangement?
Candied walnuts or pecans add a crunchy, sweet element that balances the soft cheeses and fruits.