Description
Create a stunning and delicious charcuterie board featuring a variety of cheeses, meats, fruits, nuts, crackers, and complementary spreads. Perfect as an appetizer or party platter that combines different textures and flavors beautifully laid out for easy grazing.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheeses
- 1 wheel Brie Cheese
- 6 ounces Aged Cheddar
- 4 ounces Goat Cheese
Meats
- 4 ounces Prosciutto
- 6 ounces Salami
Fruits and Nuts
- 1 cup Grapes
- 1 cup Fresh Strawberries, halved
- 1/2 cup Dried Apricots
- 1/3 cup Mixed Nuts
- 1/2 cup Olives
Spreads and Sweeteners
- 2 tablespoons Honey
- 2 tablespoons Fig Jam
Crackers and Bread
- 1 cup Whole Grain Crackers
- 1 small loaf Sliced Baguette
Garnish
- Fresh Herbs (rosemary or thyme)
Instructions
- Prepare Your Work Area: Clear a clean surface and gather your tools and the serving board to ensure an organized setup.
- Arrange Ingredients Within Reach: Lay out all your items—cheeses, meats, fruits, nuts, crackers, and dips—within easy reach to facilitate smooth assembly.
- Place Bowls for Anchors: Position small bowls on the board first for jams, honey, or olives, as these will serve as anchors for your layout and visually divide the space.
- Add Cheeses and Meats: Place the cheeses spaced apart around the board. Add meats by folding or rolling slices into attractive shapes, distributing them evenly near the cheeses.
- Fill with Fruits, Nuts, and Bread: Layer in fresh fruits, dried apricots, crackers, and sliced baguette around your anchored bowls. Fill remaining gaps with mixed nuts and garnish with fresh herbs for color and texture.
- Final Touches: Drizzle honey over select areas, add appropriate serving utensils for jams and honey, and adjust any items to create balance, symmetry, and color contrast across the board.
- Serve or Chill: Serve the charcuterie board immediately or cover and chill until ready to serve, maintaining freshness.
Notes
- Choose a variety of textures and flavors for a well-rounded board: soft, hard, salty, sweet, crunchy, and creamy.
- Use small bowls to prevent soft or wet ingredients from spreading and mixing with dry items.
- For a vegetarian option, omit the meats and add more nuts, seeds, and marinated vegetables.
- Use fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme to add fragrance and an attractive visual contrast.
- Allow cheeses to come to room temperature before serving for optimal flavor and creaminess.
- Ensure meats are sliced thinly for ease of folding and eating.
