Save to Pinterest There's something about arranging cheese on a board that feels like creating art, except you get to eat it. I discovered this particular combination during a dinner party where I wanted to impress without spending hours in the kitchen, and somehow the soft purples and elegant greys just sang together. The lavender-coated goat cheese caught my eye at the market, and suddenly I envisioned an entire platter around it. What started as a simple whim became the most elegant thing I'd served in years.
I remember my friend Sarah's face when she saw the board for the first time. She walked straight to the lavender honey, closed her eyes, and just breathed in. That's when I realized this platter wasn't just about feeding people—it was about creating a moment where everyone slows down and actually notices what they're eating.
Ingredients
- Lavender-coated goat cheese: The star of the show, and honestly, finding a good one makes all the difference—look for rounds that have a visible lavender coating rather than ones where it's just dusted on.
- Ash-rinded brie: The creamy counterpoint to the tangy goat cheese, and the grey rind adds to the color story you're telling with this board.
- Seedless grapes: They provide pops of color and relief from the richness of the cheese, and halving them makes them easier to grab.
- Fresh figs: Worth the splurge when they're in season—if you can only find dried, they work but bring a different energy to the board.
- Candied walnuts or pecans: These add texture and sweetness, cutting through the savory elements perfectly.
- Lavender honey: Drizzle it like you mean it, because it ties the whole floral theme together and gives people something to dip into.
- Edible flowers: Source these from actual food suppliers—not just decorative florist flowers—and they transform the board from fancy to unforgettable.
- Fresh thyme: A small sprinkle adds aroma that guests will notice before they taste anything.
- Toasted baguette and charcoal crackers: The baguette adds warmth and familiarity, while charcoal crackers echo the grey aesthetic and add visual interest.
Instructions
- Start with the anchors:
- Place your cheeses on the board first, leaving breathing room between them so each one gets its moment. I like to let them sit out for a few minutes so they're soft enough to spread but not melting into chaos.
- Build in clusters:
- Group grapes and figs together in little pockets around the cheese, creating natural gathering spots for the eye to land. This isn't random scattering—think of it as composing a painting where nothing looks accidental.
- Add the crunch:
- Scatter candied nuts between fruit and cheese, filling in gaps and adding those moments of sweetness and texture. They'll be the first things to disappear, so don't be shy with them.
- Dress it up:
- Drizzle lavender honey over the goat cheese and keep some in a small bowl on the side. The honey catches light and makes the whole board shimmer.
- Final flourishes:
- Sprinkle edible flowers and thyme across the board right before serving, so they stay fresh and fragrant. This is where it stops looking like an ingredient list and starts looking like something worth remembering.
- Add the vessels:
- Place your baguette slices and charcoal crackers around the edges, giving people clear paths to build their bites. Arrange them like you're framing the cheese and fruit, not just squeezing them in.
- Serve with confidence:
- Step back and let your guests create their own moments. The beauty of a cheese board is that everyone finds something different to love.
Save to Pinterest There was a quiet moment during that dinner party when everyone had stopped talking and was just eating, noticing flavors, pairing things in combinations I never would have thought of. That's when I knew this platter had done its job—it wasn't about me showing off, it was about creating space for people to enjoy something together.
The Color Story
The magic of this board lives in its color palette, and that's not shallow—it's strategic. Lavender, grey, soft purples, deep reds from the grapes, and those charcoal crackers all work together to create something that photographs beautifully and feels intentional. I've learned that when people feel like they're eating something elegant, they actually taste it more slowly. You can add purple endive leaves or thinly sliced purple radishes if you want to deepen the theme further, and I've found that this extra effort pays off in how people react to the board.
Pairing with Wine
A chilled Provence rosé is almost made for this board, but I've had equally stunning results with a floral white wine like Gewürztraminer. The point is to drink something that won't overwhelm the delicate cheese flavors or the lavender notes—you want the wine to harmonize, not compete. I learned this the hard way with an overly tannic red, which made the goat cheese taste sharp instead of creamy.
Making It Work for Different Diets
This platter is naturally vegetarian and becomes gluten-free instantly if you swap the baguette for quality gluten-free crackers—honestly, some gluten-free crackers are better than regular ones anyway. The bigger challenge is always the nuts for people with allergies, but you can substitute with seeds or simply leave them off the shared board and offer them on the side. I always check ingredient labels for lavender honey too, since some brands add unexpected things.
- Always tell guests what the edible flowers are so no one eats them by accident thinking they're decoration.
- Keep allergen information visible and offer alternatives without making anyone feel like they're asking for too much.
- Gluten-free doesn't mean boring—some charcoal and black sesame crackers are naturally gluten-free and add more visual drama than regular ones.
Save to Pinterest At the end of the evening, someone asked me for the recipe, and I realized there wasn't one to give—there's just a feeling, a color story, and a willingness to let good ingredients speak for themselves. That's exactly how I want people to cook.
Recipe FAQs
- → What cheeses are featured in the Lavender Haze platter?
The board highlights lavender-coated goat cheese and ash-rinded brie, offering a floral and creamy contrast.
- → How can I enhance the platter's presentation?
Garnish with edible flowers like violets or pansies and fresh thyme sprigs to add vibrant color and aroma.
- → What accompaniments pair well with the cheeses?
Seedless grapes, fresh or dried figs, candied walnuts or pecans, and a drizzle of lavender or regular honey complement the flavors beautifully.
- → Can this platter accommodate dietary restrictions?
Yes, substitute the baguette with gluten-free crackers to make the platter gluten-free; it's already suitable for vegetarians.
- → What drinks pair best with this cheese board?
Chilled Provence rosé or floral white wines like Gewürztraminer enhance the floral and fruity notes on the platter.