Quebec’s wine and cheese trend, butterboard style

Wine and cheese receptions are already well established. Highly popular in the 1990s, the timeless trend is making a comeback in a new and improved way, courtesy of creative foodies on TikTok. This year, the food platter saw a new trend: the butter board. We explain this fun, convivial new take on the wine and cheese gathering for this holiday season! from Science + Fourchette A butter board is similar to a regular cheese platter, but coated with butter. A #butterboard hashtag and 173 million views later, we now know that when it comes to presentation, the butter board is a beauty. However, most will agree that it’s way too much butter! With this in mind, here’s how you can recreate the trend—wine-and-cheese style—with a festive, healthy, local twist. We suggest trying a mini version before moving forward with the full-blown party-sized board. You can use ingredients that are readily available at Rachelle Béry stores.

1. Create a tasty, creamy base

Quebec cheese is known for its quality and flavours. Creating a homemade whipped cream cheese base that everyone will love is easy as can be. Simply use equal parts organic cream cheese and shredded cheese (think goat, soft cheese, or hard cheese), and add a splash of organic, lactose-free 35% cream. Blend with a mixer on high speed until mixture is smooth. The whipped cream will be used to recreate this creamy homemade butter sensation. Spread the creamy Quebec cheese mixture on a serving board using a butter knife, and voilà, your base is done!

2. Choose an organic, local, seasonal fruit

Carefully prepare a homemade jam with the fresh or frozen berry of your choice. Organic fresh cranberries, blue honeysuckle, boreal berries . . . the possibilities are endless! Simply place 1½ cups of berries in a 750-ml microwave-safe glass dish. Add ¼ cup of sugar and cook on high for 4 minutes, or until you get a homemade compote. This colourful sweet-and-savoury combo is sure to be a hit!

3. Add freshness and texture

The wine-and-cheese format offers freshness and texture. Ours is no exception! Simply add a drizzle of honey or maple syrup, a touch of top-quality organic oil, ground nuts, and chopped fresh herbs, as well as deli meats. Expect a feast for the eyes . . . and the tastebuds!

4. Harmonize your wine and cheese pairings

Creamy cheese + cranberry jam platter, butter-board style

Wine-and-cheese receptions are already well established. Highly popular in the 1990s, the timeless trend is making a comeback in a new and improved way, courtesy of creative foodies on TikTok. In collaboration with Rachelle Béry health food stores, we revisited the traditional wine and cheese, adapting it to the butter-board trend . . . but with a nutritious, festive, local twist. Plus, we used ingredients readily available at Rachelle Béry.

Ingredients

For the cheese blend 100 g goat cheese 150 g cream cheese 125 ml (1/2 cup) 35% whipping cream For the cranberry jam 1 227-g bag (1½ cups) fresh or frozen cranberries 55 g (¼ cup) to 75 g (1/3 cup) sugar 125 ml (½ cup) water For the assembly 60 ml (¼ cup) chopped pecans A few fresh thyme sprigs Honey 2 garlic bulbs, roasted Homemade or storebought croutons

Preparation

1. For the cheese blend In a food processor, mix the cream cheese and goat cheese. Add the whipping cream and mix until smooth. Set aside.
2. For the cranberry jam Place the cranberries and sugar in a 750-ml (1½ cup) microwave-safe glass jar. Cover with an anti-splash food cover.
3. Cook on high for 4 minutes, or until the cranberries start to soften and the mixture starts to boil.
4. Remove the food cover and, using a fork, crush the cranberries.
5. Cook an additional 2 to 3 minutes if desired, checking the consistency every 30 seconds. Your jam is ready once the berries have burst and the mixture has thickened.
6. In a food processor, place your cranberry jam and water, and purée until your preferred smoothness. Set aside.
7. For the assembly Using a small metal pastry spatula or small coffee spoon, take approximately 15 ml (1 tbsp.) of the cheese blend and push lightly on the board’s surface to spread the mixture horizontally over 2.5 cm (1 in.).
8. Add a few spoonfuls of cranberry jam. Top with pecans and thyme. Drizzle honey over top and add the roasted garlic cloves. Serve with croutons.