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Marinated Cheese Plate

A fancy and flavorful snack that combines a mix of cheeses marinated in olive oil, herbs, and spices, perfect for entertaining.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 220
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cheese Selection
  • 8 ounces firm cheese, cut into bite size cubes, such as sharp cheddar or aged gouda Choose a mix of textures
  • 8 ounces semi-soft cheese, like mozzarella or fontina, cut into thicker slices
  • 4 to 6 ounces tangy cheese, such as goat cheese or feta, cut into chunks
  • optional small wedges of brie, rind on, cut into thick chunks Optional
Marinade Ingredients
  • 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar or sherry vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest plus 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon honey or pure maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes adjust to your heat level
  • 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil or parsley
Optional Add-Ins
  • to taste sun dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, capers, or green olives for different vibe
  • to taste strip of lemon peel, a dash of smoked paprika, or a spoon of whole mustard seeds add personality without extra work
  • to taste toasted pine nuts for crunch, to be tossed in at serving

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a large bowl, whisk the olive oil, vinegar, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, honey, Dijon, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and herbs. Taste and adjust salt or acid.
  2. Cut cheeses into similar size pieces for even marinating. Pat very moist cheeses dry with a paper towel to help the marinade stick.
Assembly
  1. In a wide shallow dish or a large mason jar, add a layer of cheese. Spoon some marinade over it, then repeat until all cheese is coated. Gently toss to combine without breaking the soft pieces.
  2. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour, or 4 to 8 hours for deeper flavor. For firmer cheeses, overnight is fine, but remove soft ones earlier.
  3. Set the marinated cheese out 20 to 30 minutes before serving so the olive oil loosens and the flavors bloom.
Serving
  1. Transfer cheese to a platter and drizzle with some of the marinade. Add fresh herbs on top and a squeeze of lemon if desired.
  2. Serve with crackers, toasted baguette, or warm pita, along with sliced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and salty olives.

Notes

If using very soft cheese, keep chunks larger to maintain shape. Chill cheese for 10 minutes before marinating in warm kitchens. Save leftover marinade for salads or drizzling on roasted veggies.