Whether you call it a cheese board or a cheese plate, all that matters for this twist on the loaded appetizer platter is that it’s piled high with a variety of Asian-inspired bites.
This recipe is brought to you by Kettle Brand®.
I’m on a day date with my man, ordering lunch at one of our favorite Thai restaurants. While we’re almost always game for a killer Moochie’s Philly Cheesesteak sandwich, our go-to lunch spots are usually of the Asian variety: ramen, sushi, bulgogi, pho and bun are all invited to our table.
“Okay, G.,” I say to my husband as we look over the menu, only to order the same thing we always get because when you’ve got a craving, you’ve gotta feed the fire. “I need to come up with an appetizer idea to serve with potato chips.”
“You could do a dip,” he obviously replies. I look at him with a totally bored, blank stare. Oh, reallllly? Novel idea there Chef Jeff.
“But I want to do something different,” I say as our waiter sets our orders of spring rolls and gyoza in front of our eagerly awaiting chopsticks. “Something other than a chip and dip. And it needs to pair with this new Thai-flavored Kettle Brand® chip, so it needs to go with a little crunch, and a little heat and all the salty bites.”
And that’s when the inspiration strikes. Hello. I’m at a Thai restaurant. Eating Thai appetizers. I’m asking for a play on salty and sweet, crunchy and smooth. It’s right in front of me. I’m going to make an Asian play on the most popular appetizer out there right now. I’m going to make an Asian cheese board.
How to Make Your Cheese Board with an Asian Flair
If you’ve taken even one half-a-glance at your Instagram or Pinterest feeds, there’s no doubt you’ve seen burgeoning cheeseboards of every Italian-esque flavor enticing everyone and their mother to make one. Because let’s face it, who doesn’t love a variety of cheese with salty cured meats, nuts, olives and give me all the pickles? #IknowIdo!
But this cheese board has a few different things going for it that traditional cheese boards don’t. Obviously it’s Asian inspired with a variety of flavors that complement the region, but totally crosses borders. Now I know that cheese isn’t a food that’s traditionally served in Asia, but hey, I’m taking creative license here. And the flavors totally work!
Every cheese board starts with the cheese. When choosing the flavors to match the Asian bites, I selected a soft double cream to contrast the heat from the salt and spice of the Asian food and goes so well with chips. Thinly sliced Swiss and chunks of pepper jack both paired well with the rest of the board too. If you’re looking for a contrast in color, I’d go for a sharp Cheddar to match the rest of the board’s bite.
Sweet fruit and veggie bites contrast the salty heat of this board and are easily Asian-style represented, like:
- Papaya
- Pineapple
- Orange and other citrus
- Pomegranates
- Mango
- Lychee
- Mangosteen
- Passionfruit
- Cucumber
- Red bell pepper
- Edamame or snow peas
I made a my quick sweet and sour Asian pickled cucumbers to add a vinegar tang.
Now this is a cheese board, but it really does double duty as an appetizer platter that makes a meal.
I added Asian appetizers to add some bulk to the board. And while I could have made my own Grilled Chicken Satay and Gyoza Potstickers, I made my cheese board even easier by picking up these apps from my afore-mentioned favorite restaurant.
Along with the gyoza and satay skewers and peanut sauce, you could also try:
- Fried egg rolls
- Spring rolls (these with grilled shrimp are my favorite)
- Steamed bbq pork buns
- Shu mai
- Won tons
- Cut sushi rolls
The last nibbles and fillers stayed in our theme when I added Wasabi flavored salted almonds, wasabi peas and sesame covered mochi. Peanuts and Pocky sticks would be tasty additions too.
About those chips…Kettle Brand® has introduced the very first potato chips available on the market cooked in 100% almond oil, making them extra crunchy. They’re available in two new flavors, Wood Smoked Sea Salt and Fiery Sea Salt, with natural ingredients that serve up a kick with each bite. These babies are what will make you the favorite at the holiday party for sure.
Now that you have the cheese board down, don’t forget the sips. Serve this with a pitcher of Matsuhisa Martinis, cold Japanese Kirin or Thai Singha beer, or a crisp and cold, fruity white wine.
Asian Inspired Dishes That Will Make This Cheeseboard a Meal
Slow Cooker Sriracha Meatballs
Asian Ramen Noodle Salad Recipe
Crunchy Asian Cucumber Watermelon Salad
Thai Chicken Larb Lettuce Wraps
How to Make an Asian-Inspired Cheese Board
Ingredients
- Wedge of double or triple cream cheese
- Thinly sliced mild white cheese such as Swiss or havarti
- Pepper jack cheese sliced
- Chicken Satay Skewers with Peanut Sauce
- Fried Gyoza
- Asian Sweet and Sour Pickled Cucumbers
- Pineapple slices
- Clementine wedges
- Papaya
- Sugar snap peas
- Nuts such as wasabi flavored almonds cashews or whole peanuts in the shell
- Wasabi peas
- Sesame crusted mochi
- Fiery Sea Salt Kettle Brand® Chips
Instructions
- Place smaller nibbles and sauces in small bowls then assemble the ingredients in groups on a large platter and serve.
