Dec 30

Dec 30 Quick Tip Recipe | Charcuterie Board Making

My mainstay.

I could live off of these boards. I eat them for lunch and sometimes for dinner if Justin has plans. I love mixing it up and making them differently. I make them when I’m tired because it’s winter and I’m lethargic or when it’s warmed up in during the Summer and I just don’t have an appetite but know I need to eat.

What is a charcuterie (shahr-cute-uh-ree) board? Charcuterie is a French word that means dried or cured meat. In America, we often pair the meat with a few other items, most commonly crackers or bread and cheeses and a spread of some sort. I’m listing a ton of items that I choose from, including a few photos so you can get inspired for the way to lay the spread and a few tricks I use to liven things up.

CHEESE
Gouda
Manchego (goes well with fruits)
A buttery cow’s milk cheese
Burrata

OLIVES
Castelvetrano (buttery, pitted)
Kalamata
Garlic or Blue Cheese Stuffed

SPREADS
Fig Spread
Fresh Made Jam
Olive Oil + Salt
Reduced Balsamic Vinegar

CRACKERS
I really love lightly flavored crackers
Thyme accented
Square toast shaped crackers from TJ’s
Bread torn

PROTIENS
Salami
Calabrese (creminelli brand)
Varzi
Thinly sliced Prosciutto
Medium Boiled Eggs

VEGGIES
Sweet Cherry Tomatoes
Pickles
Pickling Cucumbers
Carrots (sliced not baby)
Asparagus Tops

TOPPINGS
Olive Oil
Fleur De Sel Salt
Lemon Juice
Red Wine Vinegar
Nuts / Marcona Almonds

FRUIT
Blackberries
Thinly sliced Apples
Raspberries
Dried Figs

All optional, no rules here… these are just some fun ideas!

If you buy sliced cured meat separate each piece from one another. This offers a prettier presentation.
Drizzle EVOO + an acid (vinegar or lemon) over the cucumbers and salt as well.
Slice the cherry tomatoes and drizzle EVOO over the top and sprinkle with salt.
Lightly coat nuts with Avocado Oil and warm at 250 for 10 minutes
Lightly drizzle Balsamic Vinegar over thinly sliced apples
If you go the med-boiled egg route, I drizzle 1/4’s with EVOO
Always have a small dish nearby the olives that have pits so friends have a place to put their pits.
Make the tray flow so that the way people would pair items together is easy to put together.
We eat with our eyes first, something looking lackluster fancy it up with a little spoon or a cute cheese knife.
Use a cheese board, or a cutting board or a cute plate, well made ceramic dish.
Have one for each end of the table.
Place utensils for a large group so no one is inclined to use their fingers.
Keep the meat chilled until just before your friends/family arrive.
If you serve burrata make it the center piece and drizzle with a flavorful oil.
Try crisping your prosciutto before serving it.
Have fun! It’s food + tastes delicious… Eats easy.