There is something about a cheese board that makes me feel fancy. And sophisticated. And makes me want to drink bubbly drinks out of a white white glass.
Every few months, Rob and I forgo cooking dinner and opt for a Budget Cheese Board. We poor a cocktail, usually some Kirkland brand Prosecco, find a movie or TV show to watch, and assemble the cheese board.
Once it is ready, we take our time eating it, trying different combinations of cracker, cheese, and salami. Or bread, brie, and strawberries (my personal favorite). We compare notes on which flavors taste the best together and then negotiate on who gets the last piece of whatever is left.
The issue with creating a cheese board is that it can get pretty pricey pretty quickly. I have found a few tricks to help keep the cost down and we manage to put it together for about $20-25, which for us is less expensive than a night out (which we rarely do now with Zoey), or picking up pizza.
Within our grocery store’s fancy cheese section they have these little $5 bins which contains various types of cheeses you can buy for $5 or less. It is a great way to try different flavors. We usually pick out 2-3 items from those bins.
Buy salami on sale. Salami is a staple in every Budget Cheese Board we make. We scan the prices on the various kinds before choosing one. I prefer the fresh cut versions at the deli counter. Nice and thin.
Splurge on good bread. A freshly made French baguette with a good crunch crust is my weakness. The baguette rarely makes it home fully intact. More than likely, I have taken a little nibble out of the top.
Check what is on Ibotta (affiliate link!) for crackers on sale. Depending on what deal is running, we save anywhere from 25 cents to a dollar on crackers. Plus, we are able to try a type we probably would not have bought otherwise.
Use fruit and vegetables we have at home. I love putting fruit and some vegetables on our Budget Cheese Board. It makes me feel like I am having a more well-balanced meal. Things like grapes, strawberries, raspberries, or peaches work well for the fruit portion while cucumbers and tomatoes are the favorite vegetable options.
What are your favorite items to include on a cheese board?
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I’m Brooke Selb, a Personal Trainer and Health Coach specializing in helping busy moms and moms to be to easily juggle mom life with family friendly recipes, and easy exercise routines to help you achieve your fitness goals that fit in with your already busy life with sound nutritional advice.
