An Epic Valentine's Day Cheese and Chocolate Board

• Meat

  • 1 Various cured meats

• Produce

  • 1 Granny smith apple, slices
  • 1 Pomegranate seeds
  • 1 Strawberries + raspberries + cherries, ripe

• Canned Goods

  • 1 Dark chocolate-chili ganache

• Condiments

  • 1 tbsp Corn syrup, light
  • 1 Truffled honey

• Baking & Spices

  • 1 (3.5oz bar of dark chocolate
  • 1/2 tsp Cayenne pepper, ground
  • 1 tsp Vanilla extract

• Nuts & Seeds

  • 1 Candied pecans

• Bread & Baked Goods

  • 1 Crackers + fresh bread

• Dairy

  • 1 Castello aged havarti
  • 1 Castello jalapeno havarti
  • 1 Castello traditional danish blue cheese
  • 1/4 cup Heavy whipping cream

Found on honestcooking.com

Description

Ingredients

• ripe strawberries + raspberries + cherries
• dark chocolate-chili ganache for some heat (also, for dipping fruits!) See the recipe below
• candied pecans
• granny smith apple slices
• truffled honey, or regular honey
• pomegranate seeds
• various cured meats
• crackers + fresh bread
• Castello Traditional Danish Blue cheese
• Castello Jalapeño Havarti
• Castello Aged Havarti
• 1 (3.5oz) bar of dark chocolate (I used Perugina, but you can use whatever you like)
• 1 tbsp light corn syrup
• ¼ cup heavy whipping cream + 1-2 tbsp extra (if necessary)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp ground cayenne pepper

Directions

• Arrange a selection of the items above on a large board.
• Place items next to each other that go best together.
• Serve with Folie a Deux wine.
• Break up your chocolate bar into individual squares.
• Place the chocolate squares, corn syrup, and ¼ cup cream in a microwave bowl or cup.
• Microwave on high for 30 seconds, then stir.
• Continue to microwave in 15 second intervals as needed, stirring after each time until the chocolate is smooth and melted.
• If necessary (it usually is for me), add 1-2 tbsp extra cream and stir vigorously to smooth out your ganache until it is silky and pourable.
• Stir in the vanilla and cayenne pepper.
• Spoon ganache into a small serving dish/bowl.
• Enjoy, with fresh fruits!