Hosting a dinner party or get together? A cheese board is a quick and affordable way to make an impact. The variety of munchies pleases all pallets and within a matter of minutes you can whip together a spread that looks like it took months of planning. They key with building a good cheese board is all in selection and the presentation.

Ingredients:

You can use a number of things you already have on hand, or stop by a local market (like Righteous Cheese, a shop here in DC that we love) to pick up some artisan selections. You definitely want to pick up some good cheese, the difference is in the taste for sure! Either way, make sure you have a variety of options to chose from. You’ll also want to be sure you mix up the flavors: savory and sweet, acidic and spice. And get creative with your cheese board items using pantry staples  like honey and snack bags of nuts if you’re in a rush.

Here’s a list of some other common things to include on your cheese board:

• Cheeses: Blue cheese, Gouda, Brie, Goat Cheese, Havarti, Sharp Cheddar
• Dips & Spreads: Jam, preserves, fruit compote, honey, balsamic glaze
• Bread: Breadsticks, gourmet crackers, crostini, french bread
• Fruit: Green grapes, strawberries, oranges, blackberries, figs, dried fruit
• Meat: Salami, prosciutto
• Nuts: Almonds, walnuts, Pecans

Presentation:

How you display your cheeseboard is just as important if not as important as the ingredients themselves. Spending a little extra time in the details goes a long way in how your cheese board looks. This step is the difference between a “cheese platter” and “artisan cheese board”. You don’t have to spend a lot to impress your friends. In addition to the typical serving platters or cutting boards, get creative and think outside the box when it comes to what to use for a base. Composition is an important factor too, so always consider the height, colors and textures when building your board.

Cheese tools we love:

• Board: Slate (Brooklyn Slate, Crate and Barrel) cutting board
• Accessories: Cheese knives, mini spoons, mini jars, honey combs

Video

We recently shared some at-­home remedies using strawberries, but let’s face it, it’s tempting not to eat them too! There’s lots to love about strawberries: in addition to being a healthy snack, they’re great as a cooking ingredient and garnish too. They’re just as versatile as they are tasty! So we’ve whipped up three sweet recipes using one of our favorite fruits.

1. Very Berry Punch

Get ready to shake up your weekends with this super simple berry punch. Deep Eddy’s cranberry vodka makes a perfect companion to the strawberry puree texture. Combine with a bubbly spritzer (ginger ale works great) and you’ve got yourself a refreshing drink to enjoy in the sun on the porch or at your rooftop spring soiree!

Ingredients

• Deep Eddy Cranberry Vodka
• 1⁄2 cup strawberries
• Spritzer

Directions:

1. Puree strawberries in blender.
2. Mix in shaker with 1 part vodka and 1 part spritzer, shake and serve over crushed ice.

2. Strawberry, Feta & Fresh Mint Bruschetta

Who doesn’t love the classic bruschetta? Well this twist to the classic mixture is going to wake up your taste buds, and it’s super easy to make too! Make this artisan dip when hosting guests and you’ll be sure to impress with your culinary magic.

Ingredients

• 10 Strawberries, chopped
• 1⁄2 TB aged balsamic
• 1⁄2 TB powdered sugar
• 1⁄2 ts salt
• 8 mint leaves, chopped
• 1⁄2 cup Feta

Directions:

Mix the strawberries, aged balsamic, powdered sugar and salt. Then fold in the mint. Last step, fold in the feta right before serving. We opted to use crostini sticks but you can use any type of crusty bread like french bread. Nailed it.

3. Strawberry Napoleons

Napoleons are a classic and elegant layered French dessert with sweet cream. In other words, Napoleons are awesome. In our version, we’re giving it a modern, seasonal take by using the delectable strawberry and honey sweetened yogurt. You have the option of making them mini (because who doesn’t love anything mini?) or in regular sized portions.

Ingredients

• 2 (5.3­oz.) containers vanilla yogurt
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 1 (16­oz.) container fresh strawberries, sliced
• 3 tablespoons raw granulated sugar cane
• 4 phyllo sheets
• Vegetable cooking spray (non­gmo) or melted butter
• Garnishes: mint sprigs, whole strawberries

Directions:

1. Stir together yogurt and honey; cover and chill yogurt mixture until ready to assemble
2. Combine strawberries and 2 Tbsp raw granulated sugar cane; cover and chill until ready to serve (you can skip the sugar if you prefer it to be a little less sweet)
3. Place 1 phyllo sheet on a flat work surface. Coat with cooking spray (or melted butter), and sprinkle evenly with 1⁄4 tsp raw granulated cane sugar. Top with 1 phyllo sheet; coat again with cooking spray, and sprinkle with 1⁄4 tsp. sugar. Cut phyllo stack into thirds lengthwise; cut each in half, creating 6 even rectangular stacks. Repeat procedure with remaining phyllo sheets, cooking spray, and 1/2 tsp. sugar.
4. Grill phyllo stacks, without lid, over medium­low heat (300° to 350°) 1 to 2 minutes on each side or until lightly browned. Or bake in the oven at 350o until browned. About 5 ­ 10 minutes.
5. Place 1 phyllo stack on each of 6 serving plates; top evenly with half of strawberry slices. Drizzle evenly with half of yogurt sauce. Top each with 1 grilled phyllo stack. Top evenly with remaining strawberry slices and yogurt sauce. Garnish top with Chopped Strawberries & Fresh Mint. Serve immediately.

*Serves 6 regular portions or 12 mini party portions.

Try these strawberry special treats, and you can thank us later! And let us know how they turn out by commenting below.

Video

Ah, the beautiful, succulent and delicious Strawberry. Spring is here and that means the strawberry is now in season. In honor of this timeless fruit, we bring to you the Strawberry, two ways. In this part one post (of two), we’re highlighting how to use Strawberries as part of your beauty regimen. Strawberries are not only one of the most nutritious foods to eat, their soft texture and natural sugars make them ripe for beauty products too. So, next time you’re picking up a batch of berries from the local market or strawberry patch, why not try something new?

Here are three fresh ideas to try at home from Amanda, our lead events stylist and in-house beauty expert!

1. Strawberry Teeth Whitener ­

The perfect option for those with sensitive teeth Strawberries contain malic acid, which acts as an astringent to remove surface discoloration. Combined with baking soda, strawberries become a natural tooth­cleanser, buffing away stains from wine, coffee, and dark sodas. Not only is this affordable, it also tastes better than all those other store bought options out there! Plus, it’s real stuff from the earth. Can’t get much better than that!

Directions:

Crush 1 strawberry into a pulp, add 1⁄2 tablespoon baking soda and apply to teeth with a soft toothbrush. Allow mixture to sit for 3­5 minutes and then brush, floss and rinse as usual. *Tip = strawberries are very acidic, so make sure to limit this treatment to once a week. Don’t be scared off by the strawberry color…we promise your teeth will not be stained red!

 

2. Strawberry Face Mask ­

For dull, sun damaged or acne­prone skin Exfoliate, brighten and renew your complexion with this DIY at home mask! Strawberries are packed with vitamin C (antioxidant) and rich in alpha­hydroxy acid (aids in exfoliation). Honey is a great antioxidant, it’s also antibacterial, clarifying, moisturising and soothing. Yogurt contains lactic acid, which also aids in exfoliation and anti­aging.

Directions:

You will need about 5 fresh strawberries, a spoonful of plain unsweetened yogurt, and a spoonful of honey. Mash strawberries before adding honey and yogurt. Mix all of the ingredients together and spread evenly across your face. Leave on for 10­15 minutes, then rinse off with warm water and clean wash cloth to reveal fresh, glowing skin.

 

3. Strawberry Detox Water ­

A refreshing drink that helps to flush away unwanted toxins in your body. Strawberries add in flavor, antioxidants and skin enhancing nutrients. Lemon juice cleanses, alkalizes, and boosts the immune system, while mint leaves a cool flavor and helps to settle the stomach.

Directions:

All you need is a handful of sliced up strawberries, a few lemon wedges, and a couple sprigs of mint. Add all the ingredients to a pitcher of water and set aside in the fridge while the flavors build up. Serve chilled.

Thanks to Amanda for sharing these easy solutions with us! Tell us, what are your secrets for home remedies? Any favorite beauty tips using strawberries you’d like to share? Let us know!