Make a Spooky Cheese Board

Spooky season is here, so why not make a fun Halloween themed cheese or charcuterie board to pair with your favorite Suisun Valley wines?

To make a spooky fun cheese board you will need (serves 4):

• Two or three of your favorite cheeses - try a mix of hard and soft cheese for a variety of textures. I used one package of Cowgirl Creamery Mt. Tam cheese, a soft cheese, and one package of Organic Valley cheddar cheese. I purchased these cheeses at Whole Foods and Sprouts Farmer's Market.

• Dark fruits like plums, red grapes, figs, and blackberries - dark fruits add gothic flair. I got mine at Robledo's Produce in Suisun Valley.

• French bread - I love the organic French bread from Little Knopp's Bakery in Suisun Valley.

• Jam - I used nectarine jam from Erickson Ranch in Cordelia.

• One jar of pitted olives - my favorite are the organic Castelvetrano olives from Sprouts Farmer's Market.

For supplies, you'll need:

• A wooden cheese board - I used a large wooden cutting board.

• Small jars or ramekins - I like to repurpose miniature jars and ramekins that I collect over the years. I also like to use glass storage containers that have lost their lids.

• Cheese knives - these come in handy for parties and gatherings so guests can serve cheese without using their hands. I also use them for spreads.

• A mini plastic skeleton - find these at Halloween stores and craft stores. They're cute decorations you can use throughout the Halloween season and they don't take up too much space!

To assemble the cheese board:

Step 1: Cut soft and hard cheeses into small slices and cubes. Soft cheese should be sliced into small slices or wedges. Hard cheeses should be cut into about one inch cubes. This makes it easier for guests to serve and prevents mess.

Step 2: Lay the skeleton on the cheese board and put the sliced and cubed cheese around it.

Step 3: Cut plums into slices and halve figs. Place plums, figs, grapes and blackberries around the board. Arrange the fruit in different locations for more visual appeal.

Step 4: Put a small amount of jam into a mini ramekin or jar. Put a small spoon or cheese knife in the ramekin for guests to spread the jam. Tip: when hosting, never serve premade foods in their original packaging.

Step 5: Put olives into a small ramekin or glass container. You can optionally add a small jar of toothpicks next to the olives for guests to use to serve them.

Step 6: Cut French bread into small slices. Arrange on top and around the skeleton. Bread is usually the first thing guests will grab, so make sure to have extra slices on hand to refill.

Note: if you're planning to serve this for a Halloween party, make sure to multiply the ingredients as needed.

Last, but not least, make sure to pair your spooky cheese board with your favorite Suisun Valley wine. I chose to pair mine with Ryan Darrall Rosé!

Enjoy this board with a few friends during spooky season! Cheers!