Game On!
WORDS: CHYKA KEEBAUGH
September has arrived, which can only mean one thing… footy finals!
…And while I'm always very happy to settle in and watch a game, I think we can all agree that having friends over, setting the table and putting together something delicious is half the fun. So this year, I've decided to bring a little footy spirit to the cheese board, and I've created my very own cheesy football!
The star of the show is Moondarra Cranberry & Vanilla Cream Cheese. It's deliciously creamy, with sweet bursts of cranberry and a delicate hint of vanilla. I love the combination of creamy, fruity and slightly sweet flavours; it makes this Moondarra cheese perfect for something a little playful and unexpected. And really, who says cheese has to be round?
I've shaped the Moondarra Cranberry & Vanilla Cream Cheese into our beloved Sherrin-shaped football and surrounded it with an assortment of crackers and crisps. I love using lots of different textures and flavours here: something crunchy, something salty and something a little more neutral to let the lovely cranberry and vanilla flavour of the Moondarra cheese shine. It's one of those entertaining ideas that looks impressive but is actually incredibly easy. My favourite kind!
How to Make a Cranberry Cream Cheese Football
Shape the cheese
Take your Moondarra Cranberry & Vanilla Cream Cheese and gently mould it into a football shape by hand.
Cover with cranberries
Finely chop some dried cranberries and gently press them all over the outside of the cheese until completely covered.
Build your platter
Place your cheesy football in the centre of a platter and surround it with plenty of crackers, crisps, nuts and fresh fruit.
And that's it! A fun, festive and very easy footy finals centrepiece that tastes just as good as it looks.
Get Your Table Match-Ready
Now, we all know I love a good tablescape, and a footy final is the perfect excuse to have a little fun with your styling. The tricky part is that, until the teams are playing, you don't always know exactly which colours you'll be working with. So I headed to Lombards and found some great little AFL footballs to use on the table. Once you know who is playing, you can really embrace the team colours. Look for napkins, plates, little decorations, flowers or even inexpensive bits and pieces from the two-dollar shop. You don't need to spend a fortune; sometimes the most unexpected little finds are what make a table feel fun.
I love creating a table that feels festive without being too serious. Bring in the team colours, scatter a few footballs around, add your favourite glassware and then let the food become part of the decoration. And don't forget the cheese! This Moondarra Cranberry & Vanilla Cream Cheese football will be the star player on my finals table. It's fun, unexpected and, most importantly, delicious. So grab your friends, stock up on crackers, pick your team colours, and chill the drinks. And may the best team win… although I'm putting my money on the cheese. 😉
