There’s something quietly magical about building a board—one tiny bite at a time. This isn’t your usual cheese board. It’s a nibble board: slower, more tactile, and filled with small surprises that invite your guests to pause and play. One of my favourites? A nest of tiny, hard-boiled quail eggs to peel and dip in fleur de sel. Paired with unexpected flavour combinations—like cheddar or manchego cheese, honey, and coffee—it’s an experience that’s as thoughtful as it is delicious.
Watch me assemble the board.
KEYS TO SUCCESS (HARD-BOILED QUAIL EGGS)
I was inspired by an episode of The Lost Kitchen to add Quail Eggs to my nibble board. They may look delicate, but they’re surprisingly easy to prep with the right method:
- Skip the boiling. Boiling often cracks the shells. Instead, steam them in a steamer basket.
- Steam for 3 minutes for hard-boiled perfection.
- Immediately plunge into an ice water bath to stop the cooking and make peeling easier.
- Unpeeled, hard-boiled quail eggs will last up to a week in the fridge.
- I found mine locally at Farm Boy, but you can often spot them at specialty or Asian grocers.
The result is a gently firm, creamy little egg—perfect for serving in a soft nest of straw with a pinch bowl of salt nearby.
UNEXPECTED PAIRING FOR YOUR NIBBLR BOARD: CHEESE, HONEY & COFFEE
If cheddar or manchego cheese and coffee sound like strange bedfellows, you’re not alone. The first time I saw Jamie Oliver dip cheese into honey and coffee, my brain said: “Wait—what?” But curiosity won out—and I’ve never looked back.
Here’s why it works:
- The sweetness of the honey balances the bitterness of the coffee.
- Together, they soften the sharp, astringent edge of hard cheeses like aged cheddar or manchego.
- It’s layered, earthy, and a little bit wild—especially when paired with something nutty or a glass of wine.
A nibble board like this isn’t just about the food—it’s about the experience. The small, curious moments. The sound of a quail egg cracking, the surprise of honey and coffee on a slice of cheese. It’s an invitation to gather slowly, eat thoughtfully, and linger a little longer around the table. Whether you’re hosting friends or simply treating yourself, building a board this way adds warmth and wonder to even the simplest evening.
