Natalie Thomson, British food stylist and author of The Grazing Table: How to Create Beautiful Butter Boards, Food Platters & More, inspired us to create this all-Canadian cheese board. Thomson often creates beautiful spreads inspired by locations around the world which include their signature cheese varieties alongside some of the region’s other well-known snacks – her French cheese board, for example, includes a creamy baked Camembert with a selection of Brie, Roquefort, baguette and cornichons.
For our Canadian Cheese Board, we’ve chosen a selection of local cheeses (including curds, of course) served with an easy caramelized onion and maple chutney, bacon-wrapped dates and maple fudge. Below is a list of our favourite cheeses for a Canadian Cheese Board, but feel free to use your own preferred varieties – just remember to slice or crumble the harder ones to add texture to the board.
- Laiterie Charlevoix Cheddar With Black Garlic
- Stonetown Artisan Cheese Wildwood
- Fromagerie Ruban Bleu Le Charbonnier
- Fromagerie du Presbytère Bleu D’Élizabeth
- Salt Spring Island Cheese Flower Chèvre
Canadian Cheese Plate
Ingredients
Bacon-Wrapped Dates
- 12 Medjool dates pitted
- 6 slices bacon halved crosswise
Caramelized Onion & Maple Chutney
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 large onions halved and thinly sliced
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ cup good-quality maple syrup see note
To Assemble
- Bacon-Wrapped Dates
- Caramelized Onion & Maple Chutney
- Laiterie Charlevoix Cheddar With Black Garlic
- cheese curds
- Stonetown Artisan Cheese Wildwood
- Fromagerie Ruban Bleu Le Charbonnier
- Fromagerie du Presbytère Bleu D’Élizabeth
- Salt Spring Island Cheese Flower Chèvre
- Canada True Maple Syrup Cream Fudge
- crostini, crackers and grapes
Instructions
Bacon-Wrapped Dates
- Wrap each date with one piece of bacon and secure tightly with toothpick.
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add bacon-wrapped dates and cook until golden and crispy all over, flipping as needed, 6 to 8 minutes. Let cool slightly before serving.
Caramelized Onion & Maple Chutney
- Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add half of the onions and cook until they begin to soften, 1 to 2 minutes. Add remaining onions and continue cooking until translucent, 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring often, until very soft and golden, 15 to 20 minutes.
- Stir in maple syrup; continue cooking until sticky and caramelized, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely. Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
To Assemble
- Place caramelized onion and maple chutney in small bowls and arrange in central spots on the board. Arrange cheeses, bacon-wrapped dates, maple fudge, crostini, crackers and grapes to fill in any gaps.
Notes
More grazing board and cheese plate recipes
French Cheese Board
Food stylist Natalie Thomson's recipe for a France-inspired cheese board, with an easy baked Camembert as the centrepiece.
Get the recipe
How to assemble a pescatarian board
East Coast Chef Charlotte Langley shares her tips on assembling the perfect pescatarian board
Get the recipe
