Are you in absolute awe of the intricate charcuterie boards you see? Do you want the perfect low-effort snack to share? With a few tips and tricks, you can make something that is just as drool-worthy. Charcuterie (pronounced shahr-ku-tuh-ree) is the art of organizing various cuts of cut or cured meats on a tray or board in a beautiful, edible display. 

Before we dig into the popular boards of the day, let's first understand where the word “charcuterie” comes from. The word is derived from the French, chair/flesh and cuit/cooked. Way back in the day, the word described French shops that sold products made from pork. The great thing about charcuterie boards is that there is no "right way" to make them. They're a fantastic way to express your creativity and incorporate all of your favorite snack foods in one place. 

Part of a great charcuterie board's awe factor is the tray it is served on. Luckily, there is no right type of tray or board to serve your spread on. Don't feel pressured to purchase a special board just to serve charcuterie on. If you have a wooden cutting board or another large serving tray, those make for equally beautiful charcuterie arrangements. Some of the best charcuterie boards are made of simple-to-find ingredients because they're the most popular. If it's hard to find some of the unique ingredients like cranberry goat cheese or the perfect smoked prosciutto in your grocery store, stick with the usual cheddar and salami. I promise your guests or family will enjoy it just as much. 

If you're short on time or have hand mobility issues, you may find it difficult to prepare all of the different ingredients for your tray. If that's the case, there's no shame in buying a premade meat and cheese tray in the deli and rearranging it on your charcuterie board with some prepackaged nuts, fruits, or crackers. Some say that imitation is the best form of flattery. Whether you believe that or not, it's a great motto to live by when it comes to charcuterie trays. 

To keep things exciting, make sure you're using a variety of bright-colored fruits and vegetables. We eat with our eyes first, so incorporate a variety of reds, purples, yellows, and greens to contrast the browns, whites, and pinks of the meat and cheese. When you're beginning to place all of the ingredients in the bowl, consider adding a lot of little bowls for odd-shaped ingredients or sauces. These bowls can be difficult to work into your design once the rest of your ingredients are added. They also add extra texture and height to your tray. 

While there isn't correct placement for your ingredients when building the perfect charcuterie board, the order to put your ingredients on the platter can make all of the difference in how easy it is to assemble. A great charcuterie board has a variety of textures and flavors to keep you coming back for more. 

When shopping for your ingredients, ensure you're grabbing an assortment of sweet, savory, spicy, and salty flavors. Also, shop for a variety of textures. Offer a variety of soft, hard, chewy, and crunchy. Feel free to customize these to fit your tastes and budget. The more variety you have, your charcuterie tray will be more exciting.

Contact Ashley at ashley@tippgazette.com

 

CHARCUTERIE BOARD

INGREDIENTS

Dips and Spreads

8 oz Dips or spreads such as jelly, tzatziki, marinara, or ranch

Cheese and Meat

8 oz Cured or chilled cooked meats such as salami, prosciutto, pepperoni, or ham

8 oz Soft cheese such as brie, mozzarella, feta, or gorgonzola.

8 oz Hard cheese such as cheddar, provolone, or gouda

Fruits and Vegetables

8 oz Strawberries

4 oz Blueberries

4 oz Raspberries

4 oz Sweet peppers

4 oz Cherry tomatoes

Breads and Crackers

8 oz Crackers

1/4 loaf Artisan bread

Filler Ingredients

8 oz Mixed Nuts

4 oz Olives

4 oz banana peppers

8 chocolate truffles

INSTRUCTIONS

On a large platter or cutting board, start by placing several small bowls or ramekins for dipping sauces or wet ingredients.

Add crackers or bread in small portions in clusters around your board.

Add clusters of meat next to your crackers to fill in open spots.

Continue to fill in around your meat with slices of various cheeses.

Finish filling in empty gaps on your board with a variety of fruits, vegetables, or sweet treats.

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FAMILY-FRIENDLY CHARCUTERIE BOARD

For the Cheese

Mozzarella Sticks

Cheddar Cheese Cubes

Monterey Jack Slices

Swiss Cheese Slices

Colby Jack Cubes or Slices

For the Meats

Honey-Smoked Turkey

Pepperoni

Salami

Deli Ham

For the Vegetables

Mini or Sliced Carrots

Sliced Cucumbers

Bell Peppers

Cherry Tomatoes

For the Fruit

Blueberries

Strawberries

Blackberries

Raspberries

Slices of Apple

Grapes

Cuties

Dried Fruits

For the Nuts

Pistachios

Almonds

Walnuts

Trail Mix

For the Dips

Hummus

Ranch

Mustard

Warmed Marinara

Jelly or Preserves

For the Carbs

Parachutes Brazilian Cheese Breads

Pretzels

Crackers

Chips

INSTRUCTIONS

Heat oven to 350F and arrange Parachutes Brazilian Breads in a single layer. Bake for 30 minutes.

Arrange all remaining ingredients on a large board or platter and enjoy!