A grazing cheese & charcuterie platter is one of my favorite ways to celebrate a birthday or special occasion. Making meals at home is great, but when you are cooking for larger groups, it can be stressful. As a result, you spend more time in the kitchen and less time creating memories.

The tips and tricks in this section show you how to put together quick and easy food platters for any occasion, and how to prepare the perfect picnic basket. Ideas for al fresco dining, homemade dips, chutneys, crackers, and cocktails, most of which can be prepared in advance so you only need to turn up at the table.

A Autumn Cheese Board 

All the flavours of Autumn

Ingredients

Pear

Clementine

Figs

Walnuts

Rosemary Crackers

Apples

Plums

Dried Apricots

Mini Gherkins

Pickled Onions

Mini Yellow Peppers

Olive paste

Olives

Blue Cheese

Raschera Italian cheese

Peach, Mozzarella Pearl, Prosciutto di parma, Basil & Pesto

This no fuss Summer canapé is the perfect choice for alfresco evenings and summer Garden Parties

Peach Parma Ham Mozzarella Pesto Appertizers 

Ingredients

200g Mozarella Pearls

6-8 Slices Parma Ham

Pesto ( See Home made Pesto Recipe/ or purchase a nice pesto from a Deli)

5 Juicy Peaches or Nectarines

Cocktail Sticks

Method 

Wash and pat dry your Peaches

slice In half, remove the stone and then slice peaches into quarters.

Build your peach Appertizers by  adding the peach to the bottom of the cocktail stick

Build the Parma Ham, Mozzarella pearls on top of the peach and finish with a drop of pesto.

The Italian Grazing Platter 

This grazing board features a delicious basil pesto and is inspired by Italian antipasto.

Quick Basil Pesto
Ingredients
1 big bunch of Basil leaves
50g parmesan or vegetarian alternative. + extra for the top
50g pine nuts + Extra for the top
1 lemon juice
150ml olive oil.
1/2 tsp salt
1 garlic clove
Method
Add all the  ingredients into a blender, blend until smooth.
Top with EVOO & sprinkle of pine nuts
White Tutti Fruity Sangria
Enjoy Moments In The Sun
With this quick White Tutti Fruity Sangria.
Ingredients
1 lime (juice)
1 Lemon (juice)
2 oranges (juice)
1 passionfruit
3 Nectarines
150g chopped strawberries
Handful mint
I love to use a bottle of Riesling white wine for this, but you could also use a more crisp  dry white wine too.
Method
Using a fruit Juicer squeeze the juice from the
lime, Lemon and orange
Cut open a Passion fruit strain the juice using a small sieve
Slice the nectarines into Quarters.
Hull the strawberries and cut into Quarters
Pour in all the juices and sliced fruits into a large jug.
Using a cocktail muddler or large spoon press the chopped mint leaves, and slices fruits into the juice.
Once all the juices have been combined add the Riesling white wine.
Give it a stir and serve on cold ice.