5-minute cheese platter, anyone?

By Michele D. Baker

Tom’s Tiny Kitchen in Memphis is a family-owned small business packing big flavor into handmade cheese goodies. The “family” includes Classic Pimento Cheese – thickly shredded sharp cheddar, hand chopped green onions, pimentos, mayo, and a few secret spices – a spicier Chipotle Pimento Cheese, and three delectable cheese dips.

Open each of the three dips (Chipotle Bacon, Classic White, and Spicy Thai) and place on a large tray. Wash and slice into wedges two crisp apples (sweet Gala or Jazz complement the Thai dip nicely) and arrange on a small plate. Fill a small bowl with baby carrots and a second bowl with pepperoni or salami slices. Serve the dips with baskets of pita triangles, tortilla chips, and/or pretzels.

On a decorative serving plate, mound the pimiento cheese and garnish with fresh parsley. Surround with Ritz or club crackers and a few olives.