It’s almost October and time to get the gal pals together for a Cancer Council Girls’ Night In!
No Girls’ Night In is complete without a cheese board and thanks to the advent of flat-lay photos on Instagram and Pinterest, our hungry eyes want more.
We know you’ll want your platter to be as visually appealing as it is delicious when you get the girls together, so we are sharing our top tips for creating the perfect plate.
First of all, creating a platter for your Girls’ Night In can be an individual or group effort.
Planning and hosting a Girls’ Night In event will be more fun – not to mention easier – if you have a helping hand (or two).
For the platter itself, take one for the team and whip one up or ask your fellow hosts to bring some ingredients.
To keep things simple, we’ve created a list of instructions for a basic fruit, nuts and cheese platter, but you can alter yours to suit what you and your girlfriends love.
If you’re partial to an olive or two, add a bowl of your favourites. If you love wasabi peas, sprinkle a handful.
PLATTER UP
Start with the largest platter you can get your hands on.
If you don’t have a platter, a large wooden chopping board will work a charm.
It’s a fun idea to put some paper down as a base. Brown paper works well or use a sheet of paper that complements your colour scheme.
SAY CHEESE
Try to select a variety of cheeses, for example soft, hard, and blue, to ensure there is something for everyone.
It is a great idea to label each cheese by writing its type and origin so guests know what to expect.
CRACKER JACK
Add crackers, and lots of them. Try to use different shapes and sizes to keep things interesting.
Select a couple of variations of crackers and arrange them at intervals around the platter.
GET FRUITY
Add your fruit and nuts. A combination of grapes, berries and dried fruit such as a paste, dates or figs always pair well with cheese.
Arrange the fruit and nuts in pockets between the cheese and crackers, with a combination of different fruits in each position.
ALL THE PRETTIES
By filling any gaps on the platter with sprigs of rosemary, herbs or a few stems of flowers you will ensure a platter that looks as beautiful as it tastes.
That’s it! Sit back and enjoy the night with your girlfriends. You’ve earned it, and you’re doing it for a good cause.
By hosting a Girls’ Night In for your favourite gal pals during October, and donating the amount you’d usually spend on a night out, you’ll be helping Cancer Council Queensland reduce the burden of women’s cancers.
One in six Queensland women will be diagnosed with a breast or gynaecological cancer in their lifetime and funds raised from Girls’ Night In go towards vital research, education and patient support services.
What you do for your Girls’ Night In is up to you; from pamper parties to clothes swaps to games night, the options are endless.
Register your event at girlsnightin.com.au and you’ll received a FREE host kit full of ideas, tips and tricks to ensure you’re the hostess with the mostess.