A charcuterie board is an easy and fantastic way to serve snacks to guests. It looks and tastes delicious, making it a fan favorite. “Charcuterie” technically is the art of assembling dressed meats and meat dishes, but now they are customized with cheese, crackers, sweets, and spreads.
Charcuterie boards are all over Instagram and Pinterest. We can’t help but fall in love with their looks.
Let’s look at the top tips for the perfect charcuterie and cheese board!
How to Start
Before you start to arrange your charcuterie platter, get a wooden board. It doesn’t matter what shape it is. But if you are still concerned, you can get the boards in any household ware store, where they will cut the size and shape you want.
The next thing to think about is plating. Small white dishes or bowls make the board seem organized, and it will also help with any seepage. Provide small-sized cutlery with the board to make it more attractive.
11 Tips for the Perfect Charcuterie and Cheese Board
Although charcuterie boards are fun and easy, you can still feel intimidated. Our tips for the perfect charcuterie board will make you the ultimate host. Just like Monica from Friends!
1.Have a Variety of Options
Guests love to see different food variations on a charcuterie and cheese board. It complements the long conversations over many glasses of wine. Moreover, you don’t have to worry about what people will like or dislike. Easy-to-grab food like dehydrated fruits and nuts are recommended.
2. Calculate the Portion of Meat per Person
We know cured meat is expensive; you don’t have to go overboard to make a good impression. Buy two ounces of meat per person. This will give you some room for a variety of meat.
3. Arrange Different Flavors of Meat
Having different flavors of meat will delight the flavor palate of the guests—for example, pair chicken jerky with cured ham or salami. You can also pair cured salami with smokier meat.
4. Say it with Cheese!
It’s essential to have two to three types of cheese in various textures. Choose both creamy and hard cheeses to complement different meats. Brie, feta, cream cheese, blue cheese, and pecorino are the best options to add to your board.
5. Add Texture Variations
Mixing and matching different textures can be delightful. People enjoy it a lot as they don’t know how it will taste together. So try to add varied textures of meat, cheese, and dips.
6. Add Sweet Elements
Many people make the mistake of not adding anything sweet. We won’t let you make the same mistake! Add some truffle honey to the platter. It tastes delicious with blue cheese. And isn’t there a saying that chocolate and wine go together? So, add some chocolate to the spread.
7. Add Carbs
Meat and cheese without any carbs sound incomplete. Include some multigrain crackers, sourdough bread, and crispy breadsticks. Your board will be heartier and tastier.
8. Include Something Fresh
You can add fresh rosemary or thyme to your charcuterie and cheese board. The fresh smell will elevate your guests’ mood. Add some freshly cut fruits such as apples, pears, or pomegranates. Grapes, strawberries, and different berries are also a great addition.
9. Setting up the Board
Now that you have organized your food choice, you need to set it up on your board.
● First, cut your meat and cheese. For a large block of cheese, divide and spread it separately on the board. This will help the guests get access to the cheese without waiting.
If you have a large portion of meat, cut it into thin slices, roll them, and arrange them neatly near the cheese blocks.
● Add the carbs next. Stack the crackers next to the cheese. Add the bread slices near the meat. Plop the breadsticks near something sweet.
● Sweet elements like chocolate should be on the outer side of the spread. To sweeten it up more, add a small bowl of fruit jam or jelly to the middle of the board. Don’t forget to add a spoon.
● You need some acidic elements. Why not add pickled onions or olives? Pour some olives into a small ramekin and place it in the middle. Add some toothpicks in there for easy access.
● Slice the fruits and place them on a plate. Then place the plate on a corner of the board. You can also add lime to bring some sourness.
● Lastly, add the thyme and rosemary in bare spots to get some greenery.
10. Fill the Bare Space
Looking at Instagram posts, the most noticeable thing is that the charcuterie and cheese boards are usually tightly-packed. This makes them visually attractive.
If you have any bare spots on your board, you can easily cover them with dehydrated and dried fruits, nuts, mint leaves, artichokes, or edible flowers. Not only will it fill up the spaces, but it will also beautify the board.
11. Finishing Touches
Before serving your guests, drizzle olive oil over the meats and sprinkle some ground pepper on the dips and cheeses. Wait! Don’t forget to top it off with flaky sea salt.
What Do You Typically See on a Charcuterie Board?
Are you curious about what typically is on a charcuterie board? People arrange them differently, but there is a pattern of food people like to add.
● Cured or dressed meats
● Various kinds of cheese
● Assorted nuts, dried fruit
● Olives
● Crackers or sliced bread
● Fresh fruits
Be the Ultimate Host
You have arranged your charcuterie and cheese board; it looks too beautiful to eat but too delicious to be able to resist. Your guests enjoy it with their glass of wine and finish everything. They are pleased with your hospitality. No, this is not only a dream. If you follow our tips, you will surely get these results.
As you have already read the article and reached the end, we can indeed say you will become the ultimate host.
Moreover, charcuterie and cheese boards are suitable for anyone maintaining a keto diet. So, you will not be excluding any guests from enjoying.
