The Classic Great Canadian Cheese Platter.

Canada produces excellent cheeses from coast to coast to coast. Though most are from large, high-

quality factories; there are many small-scale cheese makers perfecting artisanal cheeses, including 

Thunder Oak Cheese Farm in Slate River/Neebing Township, not far from my lifetime hometown; 

Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada; as you head south along legendary Highway 61 towards the 

Ontario/Minnesota border. Fig and Wine Conserve, Red Onion Marmalade or Sweet Ginger Almonds 

all make great additions to any cheese board, as well as fresh fruit. Depending where you shop in 

Canada for cheese, you're bound to find many of your all-time favourites, old and new. As a rule, buy 

one to one and a half oz. of each type of cheese you are serving per person, the perfect compliment to 

an easy summer meal. 

Ingredients:

1 1/2 lbs. soft or semi-soft cheese (such as Brie, Camembert or Oka)

1 1/2 lbs. firm or hard cheese (such as Old Cheddar or Gouda) or flavoured cheese (such as Gouda with 

cumin seeds or Verdelait with cracked pepper)

1 1/2 lbs. blue cheese (such as Bleu Benedictin, Borgonzola, Bleu Bry or Ciel de Charlevoix)

1 1/2 lbs. goat cheese

Directions:

At least one hour before serving, arrange chosen cheeses on your platter or even a charcuterie with 

your favourite luncheon or deli meats/cold cuts. Supply one knife for each soft and semi-soft cheese 

and one other knife for the hard cheeses. Lastly, enjoy with milk or your favourite cold beverage, 

especially during the "dog" days of summer; nothing satisfies like a light, simple meal with no baking, 

cooking or pre-heated oven involved, all of which will only add unnecessary heat to your already hot 

household and kitchen, "open concept" or otherwise.