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Oh cheese…how I love thee! Let me count the ways! I always gravitate to any cheese platter…it doesn’t really matter what type of cheese, I will eat any of it! And how cute is the cheese platter in the shape of a Christmas tree?!?!? (Keep reading…there are fun cheese facts, a dairy tour, and a fun giveaway at the end.)
It’s so easy and everyone will just love it at you parties this month or on Christmas. We are always snacking before Christmas supper, so this is a great way to get some healthy snacks into everyone, all those fresh veggies and dairy…two things that are usually missing from the holiday table.
Did you know it takes about 2.6 gallons of milk to make 2 pounds of hard cheese? I had no idea it took so much milk to make a pound of cheese.
Cheese has it’s optimal flavor at room temperature, so set out your platter before guests arrive…just don’t leave it out for more than a couple hours. My guess is that this cheese plate will be devoured before you even get the main dish on the table! If, for some weird reason the cheese isn’t devoured by supper, then put it back in the fridge and bring it out after supper for a little snack/dessert!
Before we get to how I assembled the cheese platter, I have to share some photos from my recent tour of the Kerr Dairy Farm, which is located just outside Phoenix, AZ.
Isn’t she adorable..she was just a few days old when I met her. All the newborns were lined up and so happy to see us! What surprised me the most was how clean the farm was. No smell, no mess, nothing!
I was able to get up close and personal in the milking area. The ladies were so calm and “happy” to be there. They really seemed to enjoy their time. In fact they often don’t want to leave and at this farm, they aren’t forced to leave the area until they are ready.
After hanging out here for awhile, I was able to check out the room where they cool the milk and store it. It’s cooled from cow temp to fridge temp super fast and then stored in giant tanks. The tanks keep the milk churning so it won’t separate. There are so many details that go into running a farm, that I can’t possibly share them here. 
One pretty fascinating fact is that if the cow is sick and on antibiotics, she is not allowed to be in the general herd population. She is isolated and her milk is “pumped and dumped” for 30 days (I might have the exact time frame wrong, but it was close to that). Also, when the general milk is collected by the milk tankers, it is tested for antibiotics and other things. If it’s tainted the ENTIRE batch is thrown out.
Had to include this photo…no matter how interesting I found the cows, Little Man eventually got bored and was fascinated by the big trucks moving all the feed around. Boys will be Boys!
Now that we know where the milk comes from….let’s move on with the “recipe”. You can really use any of your favorite cheeses on this platter, but just make sure you pick different colors and flavors to make it interesting.
Cut cheese into bite-sized chunks.
Alternate layers of rows of cheese and tomatoes. Rows should get smaller as you move up the platter. In between each row of cheese and tomatoes add a layer of herbs.
Use a chunk of cheese at the bottom for a trunk. I also freehand cut a star shape out of one piece of cheese.
Serve with crackers on the side.
http://www.aroundmyfamilytable.com/2012/12/christmas-tree-cheese-platter/Now that you know all about where the milk comes from and how to much this crowd pleasing appetizer platter, I have a giveaway for you! WOOT!
Gift basket includes:
- Holstein Print Apron
- Holstein Print hot mits
- The Cookie Book
- Spatula
- Measuring cup
- Mini Cow cookie jar
- Stir stick
- Jar opener
- Cow kitchen timer
- Travel coffee mug
- Cold beverage travel cup
- Wooden cheese cutting board
- Cheese slicer
- Stress cow
- Bag clip
Disclaimer: This post was made in partnership with AZ Milk Producers. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
Super cute and creative! I would have to add in some blue cheese for extra noms!
It’s Cute! Might change it up a wee bit. (I rarely do exactly as told too
)
What a cute idea! I’ve just decided that’s what I’m bringing to my family’s Christmas gathering. Thank you for the very creative suggestion!
I love it! I may add this to my table this year. I actually pinned it before I realized there was a giveaway involved
Love me some cheese! A festive idea. The tour looks like it was great fun for all!
i think it is wonderful
It’s sublime!
I think it looks yummy!
I love it, just changed my Christmas eve menu!
The cheese platter is delicious and amazing!
That idea is very cute. Going to have to use it for Christmas parties.
looks so cute like a christmas tree – love it
Thank you for hosting this giveaway
Louis
pumuckler {at} gmail {dot} com
I think it looks cute and tastey.
I love it! It looks healthy, delicious, and festive.
I love the cheese platter
I love it. Looks delicious.
It sounds wonderful.
I really like the cheese platter. It is a very festive way to serve a holiday party staple.
It looks really good.
Thanks for the chance.
mogrill12@gmail.com
It looks Great, I am going to use it for the Holidays.
The cheese platter is simply festive! I love it!
I’m going to try a version of this for my son’s preschool party!
The cheese platter looks good
My boys would love that.They eat tomatoes like apples and love cheese.
I think it looks adorable and yummy!
The platter is amazing!!
I love how it looks like a Christmas Tree! Who doesn’t like a cheese plate?!
I love it!!!!Its great!!!
ptavernie at yahoo dot com
I think it looks awesome!
yummy yummy
vmkids3 at msn dot com
What a cute idea
I love the platter and am tempted to try it, but I can’t stand the idea of messing it up to eat it!
Love cheese, eat eat daily
Its cute!
I looks really good
Very bright and cheerful and a colorful functional decorating idea!
I think that the cheese platter is super cute and I am totally stealing it for our next party!
It is a wonderful cheese plate. Makes me hungry
That is a thing of beauty! We love cheese and bought about 8 different kinds today. Our 3 year old grandson always asks for Brie! LOL If the two little grandkids saw that they would go-that is so pretty and then chow down!
I love that tree made out of cheese platter. The farm photos were interesting too. Thanks for having this contest!
The cheese platter is beautiful, I love the bright colors it is very Christmasy.
I absolutely love it! I love how it looks just like a Christmas tree!
It looks lovely!