Migraine-Safe Cheese Board

MAKES ENOUGH FOR A CROWD OF GRATEFUL PEOPLE

I won’t lie, I did miss aged cheese for a long time. I like to consider myself a cheese connoisseur—cheese is one of my favorite things in the world. (On our trip to Burgundy, servers would bring out cheese plates so large, it took two people to carry them. I was in heaven, and that was a migraine-diet cheat day that will live in infamy.) Before this diet, I thought no cheese board was complete without gouda, cheddar, and a stinky blue cheese. It turns out there are a ton of wonderful fresh cheeses. It’s all about changing your mindset of how things should be.

CHEESES (PICK 3 OR MORE)

Fresh ricotta

Fresh goat cheese (chèvre)

Fresh, unflavored mozzarella or Oaxaca

Boursin Garlic & Fine Herbs

Cubed deli-style American (Andrew & Everett or Boar’s Head)

ACCOMPANIMENTS (PICK 3 OR MORE)

Seeds: sunflower or pepitas (pumpkin seeds)

Pomegranate seeds

Fruits: cherries, grapes, and/or blackberries

Blackberry jam (gelatin- and citrus-free) or honey

Water crackers or migraine-friendly gluten-free crackers (I like Crunchmaster Sea Salt)

GARNISHES (OPTIONAL)

Fresh rosemary, basil, or other herb sprigs, or chopped

Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper

Select a cheese board or large cutting board. Arrange 3 to 4 cheeses of your choice on the board along with fruit, seeds, and crackers of your choice.

For extra flavor, top the ricotta with pomegranate seeds and spread jam or honey over the goat cheese and top with fresh pepper. Sprinkle mozzarella with coarse salt, fresh basil, and black pepper.

Garnish the platter with fresh herbs and sprinkle the cheese with salt and pepper, if you like.