Irish Grazing Board

^{This post has been sponsored by Tipperary Irish Cheddar Cheese and Butter. All opinions expressed are my own.}

County Tipperary is renowned for its rolling emerald hills and breathtaking beauty. However, it's also well-known for its exceptional dairy products - especially its cheese. Today, we're sampling one of those cheeses, Tipperary Vintage Irish Cheddar, and we'll be doing so by creating an authentically Irish cheeseboard.

I've made a fair few charcuterie spreads here on Living the Gourmet, but today we're doing something a little different. For starters, we'll be crowning this spread with boxty bites, which are traditional Irish potato cakes, and we'll be infusing them with Tipperary's delicious vintage Irish cheddar. In addition to Tipperary. From there, we'll build the board with Tipperary's Vintage Irish Cheddar, olives, celery, and Irish soda bread, along with charcuterie and grapes.

However, the best part of this cheeseboard is that it couldn't be simpler to bring together. The boxty is blissfully simple to prepare, while the rest of the board is just a matter of slicing, arranging, and serving. It couldn't be easier.

Now, without further introduction, let's get to it.

Tipperary Cheeseboard - Ingredient Checklist

For the Irish Cheeseboard:

• Tipperary Vintage Irish Cheddar, sliced
  • Star of the Show: Tipperary's Vintage Irish Cheddar is the star of today's show. Aged for a minimum of twelve months, with a delicious creamy texture and sharp flavor profile, this cheese binds the whole board together. Available at Shop Rite Stores.
  • Tip: I suggest removing it from the fridge about thirty minutes before serving for the best texture.
• Irish Soda Bread, toasted (or your favorite crackers)
  • Note: We're using Traditional Irish soda bread to provide an authentic flavor. To create what I call 'Irish Soda Bread crackers', I simply slice the bread and then gently roll each slice to press and flatten. Next, I cut 'cracker squares' out and toast them in the air fryer or toaster oven. It gives us a sturdy base for toppings. So pile on that meat and cheese, and enjoy.
  • Tip: I do suggest toasting the bread to provide some texture contrast.
  • Substitute: Your choice of crackers or crusty bread, anything that will hold up well with the toppings.
• Castelvetrano olives
  • Color: These olives bring bright green color and a mild, buttery flavor that won't overpower or contrast too sharply with the cheese.
  • Texture: These olives also have a firm texture and mild saltiness, making them ideal for cheese pairings.
  • Temperature: I suggest serving the olives at room temperature for the best flavor.
  • Substitute: Cerignola olives or pitted Kalamata olives would be my go-to.
• Cured salami, sliced thin
  • Note: Your favorite cured meat is all we're really looking for here. I recommend a decent quality, milder salami.
  • Pro-Tip: I suggest slicing it just before serving to prevent it from drying out. Yes, this is a thing.
  • Substitute: Once again, your preferred charcuterie is all we need here. My go-to substitutions would probably be prosciutto, Irish bacon, or a simple pepperoni. Conversely, your vegetarian "salami" of choice also works.
• Green grapes
  • Note: For added color and freshness. It also helps to balance the cheddar.
  • Tip: Choose firm grapes for maximal crispness.
  • Substitute: My go-to substitutes would probably be sliced pears, apple wedges, or dried figs for variety. Really, this is entirely preference.
• Celery sticks
  • Note: A classic Irish pairing. This brings fresh crunch and some nice cleansing properties.
  • Substitute: Fennel, cucumber spears, carrot sticks, or radish slices
• Boxty Bites (see recipe below)
  • What are they? Boxty are traditional Irish potato cakes that serve deliciously as appetizers, snacks, or sides to meaty entrees. Today, we've reimagined them as rolled appetizer bites prepared with Tipperary cheddar.
  • Make Ahead: One of the best things about boxty is that it can be made ahead, and then either reheated before serving or even enjoyed cold.
• Tipperary Vintage Irish Cheddar, sliced
  • Star of the Show: Tipperary's Vintage Irish Cheddar is the star of today's show. Aged for a minimum of twelve months, with a delicious creamy texture and sharp flavor profile, this cheese binds the whole board together.
  • Tip: I suggest removing it from the fridge about thirty minutes before serving for the best texture.

For the Boxty Bites:

• 3 large potatoes
  • What type of potato to use? I suggest using Russets or Yukon Gold. Russet potatoes provide a fluffier texture, while Yukon Gold potatoes offer a creamier, more buttery flavor.
  • Size: Try to select potatoes that are of a similar size, as this helps with even cooking.
  • Tip: Avoid potatoes with green spots or excessive eyes
  • Substitute: If you don't have Russets or Yukons, I would suggest Red potatoes, but these will give the boxty a denser texture
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • Cornstarch and Frying: Whether it's deep frying, air frying, or pan frying, cornstarch is a must to help crisp the exterior. For fried foods, this is your secret ingredient.
  • Can I Use Flour? I wouldn't, since cornstarch provides superior texture
  • Sift It: Sift the cornstarch to prevent lumps in the mixture
• ½ cup Tipperary Vintage Irish Cheddar, shredded
  • The Where: This vintage Irish cheddar is crafted in the rolling green hills of Ireland.
  • The How: Aged for two years, this vintage Irish cheddar's flavors have been allowed to mature into a delightful mix of creamy and sharp. Made with milk only from grass-fed cows, this cheese features a rich and complex flavor profile that lingers on the palate.
  • Tip: While we're using this cheese as part of a cheeseboard today, it's also great for sandwiches, wraps, or crumbled over salads.
• ½ teaspoon salt
  • Tip: Plain table salt is all you need here, though feel free to use sea salt or kosher salt if preferred.
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • Pro-Tip: As always, I recommend using freshly ground pepper for the best flavor and aromatics.
  • Substitute: If pre-ground pepper is all you have, or you're looking to save time, pre-ground will get the job done just fine.
• 2 tablespoons chives, chopped
  • Note: We're using fresh chives to add color and for a mild oniony flavor, reminiscent of Irish garden freshness.
  • Tip: Chop finely for even distribution throughout the mixture
  • Substitute: My go-to substitutes would be green onion tops or fresh dill.

Pairing Suggestions

Beverages: My go-to beverage pairing would be a nice Irish whiskey. You might also consider a decent stout, while a crisp Sauvignon Blanc would complement the sharp cheddar beautifully. For non-alcoholic options, try sparkling apple cider or strong Irish breakfast tea.

Additional Accompaniments: Individual Irish soda breads would be my go-to. You might also consider adding Irish honey, fig jam, or grainy mustard in small ramekins for those who enjoy sweet and savory combinations with their Tipperary cheese.

Pro Tips for the Perfect Irish Cheeseboard

Temperature Matters

Remove the Tipperary cheese from the fridge about 30 minutes before serving. The complex flavors develop fully at room temperature, and the texture becomes nice and creamy.

Boxty Success

For extra-crispy boxty bites, pat the shaped balls with paper towels before cooking to remove excess moisture. This ensures a golden, crispy exterior every time. Remember, when it comes to frying, more moisture means less crispiness. Simple.

Make-Ahead Magic

Boxty bites can be shaped and refrigerated up to 4 hours ahead, then cooked just before serving. They also reheat beautifully in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes - just be careful not to overheat them as they will dry out.

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And that's our Irish Grazing Board!. You can find Tipperary Cheese and Butter at Shoprite stores. If you enjoyed this recipe or have any questions or suggestions, be sure to let us know in the comments below. We always love hearing from you.

Happy Cooking!