Happy Monday, everyone! I hope you all had a great couple of days. I am switching things up a bit today! And there is a reason this all came about. Back in August, I hosted an end of summer party for a special group of moms. Both longtime friends and neighbors gathered for an evening of savoring summer. I love to entertain and had a blast putting the night together. Just as guests were about to arrive, I threw a quick meat and cheese platter together. I can remember my grandmother setting out a similar tray many years ago. A few of the moms were shocked that it could be so easy and so quick. I have always believed you can entertain simply and beautifully.
I was first inspired by my girl, Natalie. She was always posting great platters. It quickly became a favorite over here. With the holidays right around the corner, I wanted to inspire you to put one together yourself. The fresh ingredients are so much more appealing that a store prepared tray and it really is so quick. This platter was put together in just over two minutes. The video rolled the entire time and I cut very little out so that you can truly see just how quick it is. Oh, and don’t mind that the camera is turned the wrong way! We are just getting our feet wet. …
Simple & Chic Meat & Cheese Platter from A Thoughtful Place Blog on Vimeo.
I will usually place two small knives on the tray. You can pick up your ingredients anywhere. For this particular tray I shopped at Trader Joes. The box of assorted crackers is always nice to have. I also used two packages of meats. Just so you know, I had leftovers of grapes, crackers and meats. Always nice to know you’ll have some yummy treats the next day or more to refill the platter as it disappears!
So what about you? Do you like to entertain. Does it sometimes intimidate you? I am hoping that this DIY will inspire you to entertain more simply the next time you have guests over. Let me know what you think.
I recently saw this board at a party and fell in love with it. It literally elevates your charcuterie board.
Other RECIPES
The Best Homemade Guacamole
Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Bars
Easy Egg & Sausage Casserole
It looks so sumptuous!
love it!
Thank you! So easy, too.
Beautiful job on the video, Courtney! The music put me in a holiday mood!! This is a perfect appetizer for entertaining.
Thanks, Brandi. Appreciate the feedback. I'm so in the mood for the holidays, too! Enjoy your day.
Looks amazing. An antipasti tray is my all time favorite go to for entertaining (I have posted several of ours on my blog). So easy to mix up with seasonal items added in as well. We have even made them for a family evening just hanging out on the porch…quick easy meal.
Oh, I could live off of this. Love the idea of serving it as a light dinner. I might need to do that soon!
I love the video, Courtney, and hope you do more of them.
Entertaining intimidates me so your platter tutorial is great. Do you give guests small, individual knives with their plates or just have a few knives near the tray? Maybe another blog post on the best serving items, plates, flatware etc. would be helpful.
Hi Barbara! So happy you liked the video. Yes, I serve it with a couple of small knives. Thanks for the post idea. I will try and work on that.
I can't see the video…waaaah!! Do I need to change browsers??
Beautiful video Courtney! You are a natural and I am sure the most gracious hostess. My husband and I love to entertain. I used to get so nervous and wanted it all absolutely perfect but now am more relaxed and do a lot of prep ahead of time. Your meat and cheese platter is so pretty and I love how simple it is to put together…thanks to your tips and video! This will come in handy for this weekend. Off to TJs I will go!
What a fun video! The tray looks perfectly yummy and your nails look great!
Look how tech-savvy you are, posting an instructional video! Nice work 🙂
The video was brilliant! Loved it and just like everything else you do, the and result was beautiful!
The video is great! Great editing, but an even better looking tray of food. The touch of rosemary completes it!
SO awesome! What a great video!
Fantastic! Thank you!!!
Oh my gosh that video is amazing! You are too cute! The rosemary is the perfect green touch. I wanted the video to keep rolling while you snapped those gorgeous pics! 🙂
Great video! I love to entertain and the addition of the rosemary is perfect, great idea. Looking forward to entertaining soon.
Tammy @ thecoloreddoor.blogspot.com
That was great! My kids and I just watched it. We were wondering…about how much does that cost? I really loved the rosemary, too. I was thinking that we could put that sort of platter together for Thanksgiving. – Kathy
So cute! I loved your video! I will definitely be making this sometime soon!
I love making meat and cheese platters as a quick and elegant appetizer. I especially like your idea here of adding rosemary-beautiful!
Does anyone know what meats are used on this platter?
I had a glam party today and served the platter. It was a hit with my guests. Thank you
Looks great! Which meats and cheeses did you use?
Thank you so much! I'm having a party next weekend and was looking for inspiration. This was just what I needed.
this is EXACTLY what I needed…i’ve always been intimidated by the concept of hosting, but this really makes it look achievable and easy! thank you
Perfect for my office party next week! Thanks!
Beautiful results!! Great video! Thanks for sharing on the What’s for Dinner link up!
Looks delicious and love the idea of the video. Thanks for sharing with us at Over the Moon Link Up
These are perfect for all the parties I’ll be attending at this time of year! Thank you for linking up to the Creative K Kids’ tasty Tuesday – I can’t wait to see what kind of yummy goodness you come up with next week!
Very nice! I’m happy to have found you via DIY By Design and hope to see more videos. Happy Holidays!
Your photos are so beautiful!!! And the plate looks delicious <3
Perfect for a date night and a nice glass of wine. Thanks for sharing on Sunday’s Best.
What a lovely presentation for the fabulous Meat and Cheese Board! Hope you have a fantastic week and thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Great video and great looking tray! Thank you for sharing with us at Funtastic Friday!
Beautiful presentation Courtney. I’m doing one for tomorrow’s party. It looks so elegant.
I love this video. This is a switch–I asked my lovely adult daughter how she made her charcuterie board….and she sent me the video. I always enjoy her input on entertaining, because she is so good
at it. I have given her so many tips over the years, as well. It is nice to have a new idea from her and it helps me keep up with the trends.