Feb 23 - Lowveld

Text: MELLISSA BUSHBY
he truth is, as much fun as it can be to throw an
elaborate dinner party, it often ends up being more
work and stress than anything else. Hours spent in the
kitchen, slaving over a hot stove, panicking about an
astonishingly impressive dessert that is decimated within
seconds of it landing on the table. After all this, you’re
exhausted and in all likelihood haven’t spent much time with your
guests anyway. Ditch the formality and try a different approach
by throwing a platter party! Or indulge in the perfect romantic
evening, made even better with a tempting plate of lush, deep
red cherries and swirls of molten dark chocolate.
The beauty of serving platters is that they are easy to throw
together and look pretty, and because they are so versatile, there
is usually something to suit every taste (or dietary requirement).
You can use lovely ceramic platters or wooden chopping boards,
or a mixture of both, and start building up your feast ahead of
time. The simple rules of thumb are start with a centrepiece,
something pretty, like a wheel of Camembert. Remember the
dip, a mix of crackers and breads, and saucy bits, a dollop of good
Dijon mustard, compotes, and savoury marmalade (balsamic
glazed red onion marmalade is simply to die for!). Trending in
2023 is swicy, a mixture of sweet and spicy - think chilli and
chocolate and sweet chilli sauce, both of which would make
the ideal accompaniment to fruit, dessert or antipasto platters
respectively.
Different types of platters
Cheese
Opt for at least three to four different types as well as shapes and
sizes of cheese. This adds interest and variety to your platter, as
well as gives your guests options. Soft cheeses like Camembert
or Brie, with Gouda, feta and aged Cheddar, plus a variety of hard
cheese like Parmesan are ideal. Cheese pairs excellently with
dark chocolate, and what better way to spend an evening with
your beloved than by sharing a platter of cheese, chocolate,
dates, nuts, strawberries and wine? Add exotic Turkish apricots, a
delicious relish or dip and we guarantee a night to remember.
Always in vogue,
platters have come a
long way since the days
of celery sticks and
sour cream. No matter
what your event is, a
beautifully arranged
platter of scrummy
edibles adds a certain
element of flair to the
occasion.