Charcuterie boards are one of the easiest ways to impress your guests for the holiday season! They can be customized based on dietary restrictions and don’t require you to spend hours in the kitchen. If you feel intimidated by the elaborate charcuterie boards on social media and do not know where to begin, this article is for you.
To start, you will need a physical cheese board; it can be as simple or decorative as you prefer, as most of it will be covered with food. When using a decorative cheese board, leaving more space between each section is a good strategy if you want the design to show through.
Now the star of the board is, of course, the cheese. Place the cheese on the board before anything else. I like to use a mix of soft and hard cheeses so there’s a variety of textures, and I incorporate cow, goat, and sheep milk. You can’t go wrong with a classic French Brie, goat cheese, or Camembert for soft cheeses. Regarding hard cheeses, manchego, Gouda, and Gruyère are three standouts.
Next, it’s time to incorporate different meats. My favorites are prosciutto, soppressata (even better if it’s spicy), and Genoa salami. Fold the meat however you prefer – in half, quarters, or rose-shaped. If you are a vegetarian or want some veggies on the charcuterie board, go with ones that are easy to eat with your hands, like cucumbers, carrots, or peppers.
Fruit-wise, you can choose to use fresh or dried fruits or a combination of the two. When it comes to fresh fruit, grapes, sliced apples, and olives are excellent. If I’m going with dry fruits, I prefer apricots and dates. Tip: try purchasing pitted olives; they are much less of a hassle.
You can’t forget the deliciously salty sides. Pistachios, macadamia nuts, and crackers all pair well with these cheeses. Concerning crackers, you will find a million different options; I like those with herbs such as rosemary or garlic, as they give the cheese a more complex flavor profile.
A charcuterie board wouldn’t be complete without some condiments. Add a side of honey, fig chutney, or jam that guests can put on the crackers as sweet and salty pair nicely together. I like a side of hummus or an olive tapenade as well. Place them in mini bowls throughout the board.
If you are hosting a more extensive dinner party, create multiple charcuterie boards and have some of the popular items on the side in a separate bowl or plate. This will ensure the board is not overwhelmed by one ingredient, such as crackers.
When it comes to assembling the board, remember to keep it colorful! You want to break up the neutral-colored nuts and crackers with bright-colored fruits and veggies. Add serving utensils to the side, and you are good to go.