Some folks are happy enough with wine and cheese and nothing else, but oh how they’re missing out on the lovely accoutrement: peppers. 

A wine and cheese board is already awesome, but peppers bring an entirely new layer of flavor, texture, and color. Their natural sweetness, crisp bite, roasted depth, or gentle heat helps balance rich cheeses while opening up more interesting wine pairings. 

If you’re not salivating yet, you must read on. 

Fresh Peppers With Cheese

Fresh bell peppers are one of the simplest additions to a board. 

They’re mighty crunchy and they play nice with soft cheeses, like Brie, chèvre, and burrata. The red, yellow, and orange peppers add natural sweetness that softens bolder notes, while green peppers bring a sharper flavor that pairs well with stronger cheeses like aged cheddar, Gruyère, or Parmesan. 

You know what else? These peppers look pretty, and they say we eat with our eyes first. 

Roasted and Marinated Peppers

Now let’s flip the script. 

Roasted peppers introduce a tender texture and deeper flavor that fit naturally with firmer cheeses. They’re and go well with Manchego, provolone, asiago, and aged gouda. Marinated peppers bring subtle acidity that refreshes the palate after richer bites. 

Whether you roast them yourself—which is a pain—or choose a high-quality jarred option, these peppers are gourmet-ish. 

Adding Controlled Heat

Let’s spice things up, shall we? 

Roasted poblano or sautéed shishito peppers offer warmth rather than intensity, and if you want something bolder, thin slices of Fresno, jalapeño, or cherry peppers can be arranged near creamy cheeses like havarti or mozzarella, which help balance the spice. 

If you’ve got company over, presenting a small range of heat levels allows each person to create their own preferred combination. 

Pepper Pairings With Wine

Thank you for your patience, wine; it’s now your turn. 

Fresh sweet peppers pair well with crisp whites such as Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc, because they highlight the citrus and mineral notes. Roasted peppers complement medium-bodied reds like Merlot, enhancing their fruit and earthy qualities. 

Peppers with a bit of heat pair nicely with wines that soften spice, such as off-dry Riesling or sparkling varieties. The possibilities, right?

Peppers, you brighten rich cheeses, expand pairing options, and bring variety that guests notice. You are an easy, versatile choice that brings everything together with style, and we thank you for that. 

🍷 SHAMELESS PLUG ALERT 🧀

With all this wine and cheese talk, we just have to tell you about our Wine and Cheese Gift Basket. This classic boasts: Chardonnay; Wine cheese; Nuts; Chocolate cherries; Crackers;

Chunk Nibbles; Wooden cutting board; and a Spreader. 

Grab some peppers and you’re golden. 

About BasketWorks

BasketWorks is a woman-owned gift basket company located in the north suburbs of Chicago (specifically Northbrook, IL) since 1997. We are proud to offer a variety of gifts and gift baskets appropriate for all occasions. Each of our packages is built to order, allowing for customization at no additional cost to our clients. Contact us today!

Please subscribe to our blog post and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads and LinkedIn.

Butter has been misunderstood for decades. 

One day it’s the villain of your diet, and the next it’s back on the hero list. The truth? Butter has always been the reliable friend who makes everything better, from flaky pastries to sautéed veggies. It’s the culinary equivalent of that person who just gets things done quietly, consistently, and deliciously.

Butter just makes everything better. 

Butter in the Kitchen: The OG Multitasker

Butter wears a lot of hats. 

It sautés, bakes, bastes, and brings flavor where blandness once lived. 

Need golden, crispy edges on your grilled cheese? Butter. Want a silky smooth sauce that tastes like you spent all afternoon whisking? Also butter. It’s the foundation of countless recipes because it does more than add flavor; it adds texture, depth, and soul. If that’s laying it on thick, sue me. Actually, don’t. Please don’t. 

And let’s talk baking. Without butter, cookies lose their chew, pastries lose their flake, and cakes lose their moist crumb. Even when used in moderation, butter turns ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary. 

You can fake a smile (and other things), but you can’t fake the richness of real butter.

Butter Beyond the Kitchen

Lest you think butter is limited to your frying pan, it’s much more, as in part of culinary history and culture more. 

In France, it’s practically a religion. In India, clarified butter (ghee) is both sacred and delicious. Around the world, butter symbolizes warmth, abundance, and care. When was the last time someone said, “I love that dry, butterless dinner roll”? Exactly.

While we often associate butter with indulgence, it’s also surprisingly versatile outside the kitchen. A little melted butter can revive cutting boards, polish wooden spoons, and even calm squeaky hinges. 

Not bad for something that started as churned cream.

The Healthier Side of Butter

Let’s clear up the biggest misconception: butter isn’t the dietary villain it was once made out to be. 

Sure, it’s not kale, but it’s also not the nutritional boogeyman of the ’90s. Real butter contains fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K, which are essential for everything from vision to bone health. Hey, if you’re not into strong bones and clear vision, throw that butter out…at your own risk. 

More importantly, butter’s natural saturated fats—when consumed in moderation—can help raise HDL (the “good” cholesterol) while maintaining a healthy balance of LDL. Some studies even suggest that moderate butter intake may lower the risk of heart disease compared to diets overloaded with processed vegetable oils.

Unlike that interloper, margarine, or other highly processed spreads, butter is made from simple ingredients: cream and salt. No lab coat required.

Butter Belongs Here to Stay

Whether you’re baking Sunday croissants or just buttering your morning toast, butter proves its worth time and time again. It’s a flavor enhancer, a texture magician, and yes, a surprisingly nutritious addition to your pantry.

Let’s stop overthinking it, grab a knife, spread generously, and savor the simplicity. 

🍁 SHAMELESS PLUG ALERT 🍁

Did you know that butter shows up in a lot of our products, including our Fall Snacker Gift Basket? Don’t believe us? Well, see what’s inside: Butter almond toffee; Cinnamon pecans; Sweet potato chips; Peanut butter cookies; Tru Fru dark chocolate raspberries; Umland’s dried cheese snacks; Caramels; and Truffles. 

Enjoy!

About BasketWorks

BasketWorks is a woman-owned gift basket company located in the north suburbs of Chicago (specifically Northbrook, IL) since 1997. We are proud to offer a variety of gifts and gift baskets appropriate for all occasions. Each of our packages is built to order, allowing for customization at no additional cost to our clients. Contact us today!

Please subscribe to our blog post and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads and LinkedIn.