Introducing the lighter cheese board…I mean, you had to have known it would be coming.

The Lighter Cheese Board | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Memorial Day is almost here, and for me that means a cheeseboard for just about every weekend from now until summer’s end. Anyone game or what?

It’s no secret that I love cheese. Any and all cheese, even the stinky moldy kind that plenty of people hate. Basically I’m an equal opportunity cheese lover. However, for as much as I love eating cheese, I think I love creating and assembling a cheese board equally as much. Yes, I LOVE putting together a cheese board. It’s one of my favorite things to style and take photographs of…and then of course eat.

When I was thinking up Memorial Day recipes a few weeks ago, I knew I wanted to create a cheese board. It’s been a while since I’ve done one, so I was pretty excited. My first thought was to create a “lighter” cheese board, one better suited for the summer months. I know that may sound contradictory, because cheese really isn’t light, but the cheese I have chosen here are considered to be the most “healthy” types of cheese. Well, maybe not the burrata, but you know I had to include it, because I mean, it’s burrata…and it’s my favorite. DUH.

The Lighter Cheese Board | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

But guys, for the record I’m totally not attempting to say this cheese board is health food. All I’m saying is that I used some lighter cheeses, tons of fruits, and even some veggies, in creating this cheese board, and I think it’s the perfect choice for the warmer days ahead.

OKok, so now that I got that little disclaimer out of the way, let’s talk fun things.

AKA, let’s talk cheese!

The Lighter Cheese Board | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

I just could not be more in love with this cheese board. It’s a little smaller and more tamed down that my typical boards, but I love it just the same. This late spring/summer cheese board contains three cheeses: goat cheese, burrata cheese and feta cheese.

Lets start with the goat cheese. I decided to have some fun with the goat cheese and marinate it. I’ve been wanting to marinate goat cheese for forever now, but just haven’t gotten to it. Well, let me tell you guys, marinated goat cheese is everything…so much flavor, so delicious, and honestly just addicting. Trying to stop eating this is impossible. It is so good.

To marinate the cheese, just simmer some olive oil with fresh herbs and garlic and then pour it over the goat cheese. Simple as that. The cheese can be eaten right then and there, or stored in the fridge for a couple of days. It’s great on toast, naan, served atop chicken, on a salad…or simply eaten alone. YUM.

For the burrata, I decided to keep it traditional because you really just cannot go wrong with the combo of burrata cheese, olive oil, cherry tomatoes, and basil…it’s the best.

And for the feta? I went the sweet route, with a drizzle of honey and tons of fresh cherries. The salty cheese with the sweet honey is the perfect combo.

Three cheeses and done. Simple and perfect in every which way.

For my “fillers” I decided to wrap some fresh prosciutto around sweet cantaloupe. I also added tons of berries, apricots, kumquats, salty olives, and whole grain crackers. <–all my favorites! Don’t be afraid to have fun with the fill ins, and use the foods you love most!

The Lighter Cheese Board | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Sooooo, I have no idea what I will be doing on Monday for Memorial Day, but I know for sure that this cheese board is on the menu no matter what the day brings…honestly at this point, I’m just hoping, no praying, it does not snow. Ugh.

Also, while I love a really BIG and full cheese board (I cannot wait to show you guys the one I have in the Half Baked Harvest Cookbook), I can also appreciate a smaller one like this. This board is still all things YUM, but instead of taking like an hour plus to assemble, it only takes ten to fifteen minutes. Meaning it is perfect for last-minute entertaining…

The Lighter Cheese Board | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest The Lighter Cheese Board | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest
The Lighter Cheese Board | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest
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4.5 from 6 votes

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

The Recipe

The Lighter Cheese Board

By halfbakedharvest

Course: Cheese
Cuisine: American
Keyword: easy recipe, healthier option, sharing platter

Enjoy a cheeseboard with less guilt!

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 373 kcal

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces fresh burrata cheese
  • olive oil, for drizzling
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • kosher salt and pepper
  • 1 block feta cheese
  • honey, for drizzling
  • marinated goat cheese (recipe follows)
  • 6 ounces prosciutto, torn
  • fruits, veggies, olives, and whole grain crackers, for serving

Marinated Goat Cheese

Instructions

  1. 1. Place the burrata in a small bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and top with tomatoes. Season lightly with salt and pepper.

    2. Place the feta cheese on a cheese board or serving platter. Drizzle with honey and top with fresh cherries. Arrange the burrata and marinated goat cheese around the feta. Arrange the prosciutto, fruits, veggies, and crackers around the cheese. EAT!

Marinated Goat Cheese

  1. 1. In a small sauce pan, heat the olive oil, thyme, oregano, garlic, and red pepper flakes over medium low heat until fragrant, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon zest and a pinch of salt. Let cool. 

    2. Roll the goat cheese into small balls and place in a serving bowl or glass jar. Gently pour the oil over the goat cheese. Serve or place in the fridge and chill for up to 2 days. 

The Lighter Cheese Board | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Or maybe just a mid day snack.  <–been there done that.