How to make a beautiful charcuterie board.

When it comes to entertaining, serving charcuterie boards as your main dish is the hottest game in town and with good reason; it is an easy alternative to spending hours in the kitchen preparing for your guests. It's also less complicated to plan! With all the variety, everyone is bound to find something they will love. 

It's not rocket science.

If you are new to charcuterie board arranging, there's no need to worry. Anyone, can do it. Even my three year old granddaughter can make a beautiful charcuterie board arrangement (little bit of Grandma pride here). Creating a beautiful and delicious charcuterie board is all about balance and variety. Here are some useful tips to help you craft the perfect spread.

1. Planning and Preparation:

• Consider your audience:
  • Think about your guests' preferences and any dietary restrictions.
  • Adjust the quantities based on the number of people you're serving.
• Variety is key:
  • Aim for a mix of flavors (sweet, salty, savory), textures (soft, hard, crunchy), and colors.
• Gather your tools:
  • Select a suitable board.
  • Prepare small bowls for dips, spreads, and olives.
  • Have cheese knives, spreaders, and tongs on hand.

2. Selecting Your Ingredients:

• Cheeses:
  • Include a variety of textures: soft (brie), semi-hard (gouda), and hard (cheddar).
  • Consider different milk types: cow, goat, sheep.
• Meats:
  • Offer a selection of cured meats like salami, prosciutto, and chorizo.
  • Vary the flavors: spicy, smoky, and mild.
• Crackers and Bread:
  • Provide a mix of textures and flavors: plain crackers, flavored crackers, baguette slices, and breadsticks.
• Fruits and Vegetables:
  • Add fresh fruits like grapes, berries, and apples for sweetness and color.
  • Include pickled vegetables, olives, and cornichons for a tangy bite.
• Dips and Spreads:
  • Offer a variety of options like honey, jam, mustard, and hummus.
• Nuts and Extras:
  • Add nuts like almonds, walnuts, and pistachios for crunch.
  • Consider adding dark chocolate, dried fruits, or other treats.

3. Arranging Your Board:

• Start with the bowls:
  • Place small bowls with dips and spreads around the board.
• Arrange the cheeses:
  • Space the cheeses evenly, varying their shapes and sizes.
  • Pre-slice some of the harder cheeses for easy serving.
• Add the meats:
  • Fold, roll, or fan out the cured meats for visual appeal.
• Fill in the gaps:
  • Arrange the crackers, fruits, vegetables, and nuts around the cheeses and meats.
  • Use fresh herbs as a garnish to add a touch of greenery.
• Consider the flow:
  • Make sure that people can easily access all of the items on the board.

4. Final Touches:

• Add utensils:
  • Provide cheese knives, spreaders, and tongs for serving.
• Garnish:
  • Fresh herbs, like rosemary or thyme, add a nice visual touch.
• Enjoy!
  • Don't get too caught up in the details! 
  • Remember the first rule of charcuterie board arranging is, there are no rules!! 
  • Most importantly, enjoy the fruits of your labor