The Key Elements to a "Girl Dinner"
If you’ve been on Tiktok in the recent days, a trend called “girl dinner” has been circulating around. As someone who has built an entire brand off of snack plates, girl dinners are very much my preferred way to eat. A plate of cheese and random snacks isn’t just an easy meal, it’s a lifestyle. It’s an act of self-care. Let’s discuss.
What is a Girl Dinner?
As a single 31 year old, I don’t really go above and beyond when cooking dinner during solo nights in. More pots and pans equate to more dishes to clean, and I don’t really need to impress anyone with my *fancy cooking skills*. A girl dinner is essentially a combination of snacks around the house, either placed individually on a table in front of your TV, or arranged nicely on a plate if you’re feeling like treating yourself. Girl dinners can be extremely balanced and nutritious, with a selection of cheese, charcuterie, fresh fruit and veggies. You can add some sweet treats like dark chocolate, or maybe even some turkey roll ups with pickles to spice things up. The key is that you do not need to cook anything, the only effort is to unwrap from the fridge, maybe slice a few items, and enjoy. If you’re really feeling the need to decompress after a long day, try arranging your girl dinner into an artful masterpiece. As I mention in my first cookbook, the act of cutting cheese can be a grounding, meditative activity that can take you off the screens and back into your body. Girl dinners aren’t just an easy way to graze, they’re a stress-free way to dine in.
HOW TO MAKE A GIRL DINNER
This example is from the “Celebrate Small” chapter of my new book, That Cheese Plate Wants To Party. This chapter celebrates small plates that can be enjoyed on your own, with your favorite TV show ready to play. It might be a bit fancy for the typical mid-week meal, but I believe that food is a form of artistic expression, so go wild with it. By following my Cheese By Numbers method, you can create a pretty cheese plate at home with simple groceries from the store.
STEP 1: CHEESE
The first step is cheese, for this plate I used two of my favorite cheeses, a creamy and decadent soft-ripened goat cheese called Cremont, and a French Comte. The whole point of a girl dinner is to treat yourself with snacks you love.
STEP 2: MEAT
Now it’s time to add that salty charcuterie. On this plate I added a sweet and delicate prosciutto.
STEP 3: PRODUCE
We’re eating cheese and meat, but we’re still being healthy! I added fresh radishes (to pair with the soft-ripened goat cheese) dried figs (to pair with the Comte) and strawberries for a refreshing, sweet bite.
STEP 4: CRUNCH
We need a vehicle for our cheese, so I added my favorite crackers, Rustic Bakery sea salt crisps. I also added some truffle marcona almonds for a crunch.
STEP 5: DIP
Raspberry jam is the perfect sweet pairing for the two cheeses
STEP 6: GARNISH
Why not make your girl dinner feel fancy for your night in? I garnished with some fresh mint for a pop of color.
What’s on your dream girl dinner plate? Comment below! For more inspiration, click here.