Nothing goes better with wine than fruits, meats, and cheeses. And a charcuterie board is the perfect opportunity to enjoy all of the above. I was hesitant to set up my first board because it seemed so complicated and overwhelming. But it really couldn’t be easier. Just follow the steps below and enjoy your own charcuterie board with friends or family. Feel free to diversify with your own ingredient selections, after all, it’s all about having fun and enjoying yourself.
You can use any size or shape of board that you have available. In fact it really doesn’t have to be a board at all if you don’t have one. Any sizeable platter will do just as well. Have fun with it.
Ingredients
- An Assortment of Cheeses. Choose a variety of different colored. orange, yellow, and white cheeses that range from mild tasting to sharp. Put them on your board either sliced or cubed. You can find most cheeses pre sliced or cubed making it incredibly easy. After all, you want to spend your time with your guests, not on preparation. Estimate about 1-2 ounces of cheese per guest.
- An Assortment of Meats. Finger food sized portions from a variety of meats work best. You can used cubed meats or add visual appeal with thin slices of meats rolled and arranged on your board. You can even get creative and use cookie cutters if you want more decorative selections. Once more, pre-sliced meats from the deli can make this a breeze. Generally speaking, a decent guideline to go by is three to four slices of beef per person.
- An Assortment of Bread/Crackers. Whole grain crackers, thinly toasted baguette pieces, or crostini are good options. Look for crackers and breads with texture to add visual appeal.
- Fresh and Dried Fruits & Nuts – Fresh berries of all kinds add color, texture and flavor. Apple slices, grapes and apricots also add some variety. And don’t forget yummy fresh pineapple. You can also add candied walnuts, pistachios, or a salted combination of nuts for variety.
- Pickles, Olives, & Dips – Consider both sweet and sour pickles in finger size varieties. A variety of fresh peppers and olives also add a nice touch. Small dishes of mustards and dips can be tucked in among the other goodies for embellishment and additional flavor. Use your imagination, if you like it , chances are that someone else will as well.
Assembling Your Charcuterie Board
- Let your inner chef come out to play. It’s your board, you can assemble it any way that looks appetizing to you. The best charcuterie boards are topped with an variety of choices that contrast with one another. A delicious meat and cheese board can be put together in essentially any way you like!
- A good place to begin is with a variety of small bowls filled with different jams/fruits/dips etc. Then Simply arrange the different varieties of meats and cheeses among them. I like to put my fruit on the corners if I am using a square board and then arrange the meats along the sides and cheeses in the middle. It’s all up to you.
- You can create patterns or use cookie cutters to cut cheese into various shapes and sizes if you feel adventurous. Get your kids involved, they love cutting out the shapes with cookie cutters.
- Alternate how cheeses are sliced, cubed, or cut, and how meats are piled, rolled, and twisted in different areas of the board for a more visually appealing presentation.
Pre Made Alternatives
The good thing about a charcuterie board is that if you short on time you can always assemble it up to a day in advance and keep it covered and chilled until ready to serve. Dips and spreads should be stored separately in small covered containers until ready to be used.
Once you are done sit back and enjoy your handiwork and get ready for the admiration of your friends and family when they come for your event. Be sure to notice how the food and wine combinations work for future reference. and above all else, Enjoy! Once you make one you will be hooked. A charcuterie board has become one of my favorite go to items for entertaining.
Above all enjoy your wine, food and company. That’s really what it is all about. So go ahead. Release your inner chef (and child). After all, how often do you really get to play with your food? And that’s what this really is , having fun while arranging your board. Enjoy the journey!