How To Make The Best Charcuterie And Cheese Board + Video
How to Make the Best Charcuterie and Cheese Board + VIDEO
Spicy Chorizo hard, dry, and cured pork with a smoky tastehard, dry, and cured pork with a smoky taste SausagesI like to use uncured, nitrate-free versions of these as a healthier option. Charcuterie Board Ideas and How to Arrange a Charcuterie BoardThe first key to styling is to take your time.
How to Make a Keto Friendly Charcuterie BoardYou can enjoy the meat and cheese on the board and be perfectly fine! .
Making A Simple Cheese Board
Making a Simple Cheese Board
Below I’ll share my tips and tricks for making a delicious cheese board along with step-by-step instructions with photos! As a general rule of thumb I like to include a creamy cheese , a firm cheese , a soft cheese and a tangy cheese . As a general rule of thumb I like to include a creamy cheese , a firm cheese , a soft cheese and a tangy cheese .
More Easy AppetizersMaking a Simple Cheese Board Print Recipe Pin Recipe 5 from 12 reviews Fool proof, step-by-step instructions and pro tips to help you make the very best charcuterie board! Keywords: cheese board, cheese plate, meat and cheese, lunchables, deli trayThis recipe was originally published in November of 2018. .
Cheese Boards: Perfect For Every Occasion
The best thing about making a cheese board is how perfect they are for every occasion. Nope, scratch that. The best thing about a cheese board is that it is a PLATE FULL OF CHEESE. The second best thing about them is how versatile they are. Yep, thats better. We bring cheese platters to events such as:
- Picnics.
- Holiday parties!
- Birthday parties! Anyone else rather have a hunk of cheese than birthday cake? Just us? OK, moving on.
- Book club!
- Girls nightgotta have something to soak up the rosé.
- Play dates. Goldfish are fine for the under-5 set, but grown-ups deserve a grown-up snack, right?
Basically, the long and the short of it is that a cheese plate is pretty much always a welcome addition to your get together. You can keep it simple or try your hand at making it fancywell teach you how!
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What Do I Serve Charcuterie On
Is it only on boards? Are there plating rules? There are no rules about what you use to arrange the ingredients. Your dishes dont have to match, and in fact, your charcuterie board doesnt have to be on a board.
Lets review some worthy options for serving charcuterie.
Wood, slate, tile, ceramic platters, and stoneware plates all work beautifully as a backdrop for charcuterie. Ive used each of these along with an assortment of bowls and ramekins to showcase my collection of goodies. See TIPS for each type below.
Slate, stone, all stone slabs will be cool to the touch and provide a gorgeous contrast to the food. Stone is porous which lends to absorbing oils or staining, so take care when placing olives, mustards, or acidic fruits directly on any stone surface. A glossy, polished surface will be most resilient but may show marks when using cutlery or utensils. NOTE: Although slate often comes with soapstone chalk, I havent found it very easy to write legibly on a rough surface, so I prefer labeling items with flags. TIP: Stone slabs are good for sliced cheese as the stone stays slightly cooler than room temperature, which is ideal.
If you are partial to having certain serving vessels for certain dishes, youll love this charcuterie board, bowls, and utensils kit.
How To Make The Perfect Cheese Board Lemon Tree Dwelling
How to Make the Perfect Cheese Board Lemon Tree Dwelling
Ever wondered how to put together your own perfect cheese board? Learn how to assemble a cheese board from start to finish with these simple step by step instructions. Of course, having access to quality cheese board ingredients is key. And let’s just say…my visit inspired me to create this cheese board to share with all of you! With the holidays fast approaching, it’s the perfect time to brush up on our cheese board ideas and refresh our charcuterie skills.
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What Comes On A Charcuterie Board
Technically, the charcuterie board should include a variety of sliced cured and/or cold meats. However, in modern times it has evolved into more of a cured meat and cheese platter that can also include other savory and sweet items to pair with the animal proteins.
Examples of extra food items that you can add to craft your own meat and cheese board include: fresh and/or dried fruits, nuts, spreads and dips, pickled or brined foods, jams, crackers, chocolate truffles, etc.
Another thing is, you can use something else other than a wooden board, although there is a coolness factor to it. A simple platter or tray will do, especially if you are making a small cheese tray or cheese and cracker platter.
But always keep in mind that even with all these extra items added to the board, cured meats are still the star of a charcuterie board, followed by different types of cheese. In fact, if you dont include any cold/cured meats on your spread, its no longer a typical charcuterie board.
On the other hand, a meat and cheese platter like ours can include any type of cooked/smoked or cured meat. Sausages, pulled pork, roast chicken or fried chicken, pepperoni, grilled salmon, sliced skirt steak, turkey legs or sliced roast turkey for Thanksgiving party, sliced honey baked ham for a Christmas get-together, and more.
How Long Should A Charcuterie Board Sit At Room Temperature
Perishable foods should not sit out for longer than 2 hours . While most cheese can be returned to the refrigerator, according to USDairy.com, soft-ripened cheeses like Brie, Camembert, and fresh mozzarella should be discarded.
TIP: When re-wrapping to refrigerate, wrap the cheese in waxed or parchment paper, and then in plastic wrap to balance air and moisture for best storage results.
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How To Create A Charcuterie Board
Believe it or not, you don’t need to be artistically inclined to make a memorable charcuterie board . It’s actually a pretty formulaic process that’s as simple as breaking your board up into categories, then choosing ingredients for those categories that complement each other. For instance, charcuterie boards should have soft, easy-to-grab meats on it that are already sliced , in addition to harder meats that need cutting . Since the harder meats need to be sliced, they’re often placed alongside harder cheeses, like a block of sharp cheddar or Manchego. Many boards also include soft, spreadable cheeses, like chevre, but you can swap in any spread or dip to get the same rich, smooth effect, like tzatziki or hummus.
Once you have your main meats, cheeses and spreads or dips figured out, it’s time to decorate with allllll the accents. We’re talking crackers, jam, bread, pickles, fruit, honeycomb and whatever else you fancy. In terms of presentation, you’ll need a flat surface to serve everything on, like a pretty wooden butcher block or a . Tiny label tags for each component are both cute and helpful, while little bowls and plates used to hold preserves or fruit can add color and dimension to the spread.
Ready to get started?
How To Arrange A Charcuterie Board:
1. Choose your board. The size of your board or plate largely depends on the number of people you are serving and it can be as large or small as you like! If you have a lot of people to serve or simply want a larger variety of food , you could always use multiple boards. Any board will work cutting board, serving tray, or even your countertop!
- My favorite way to serve a large crowd is to ditch the board or plate and lay a large piece of butcher paper all the way down my counter/island. Then put piles of food and arranged meats and cheeses right on the butcher paper!
2. Add serving bowls or large cheese wedges. Start by placing bowls or plates youre using to serve dips and condiments and any larger wedges of cheese and space them out over the board.
3. Fill in the gaps. Now fill in some of the gaps with sliced meats, cheeses, crackers and bread. Pay particular attention to the colors and textures of your food and separate colors in a way that allows the brightest colors to really stand out. You can fold some of the meats like an accordion and set them upright, or roll them into tubes so theyre easy for people to grab.
4. Stand back and assess. If you have any gaps around the board or in the corners fill them in with fruit or extra crackers.
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What I Included On This Cheese Board:
CHEESE: Roth Kase Raw Private Reserve, Sartori Merlot Bellavitano, Wisconsin 5-Year Cheddar, St. Mark’s Bloomy Rind, Bri Du Pommier, Bayley Hazen Blue
MEATS: Murray’s Prosciutto di Parma, Murray’s Genoa Salami
FRESH FRUITS: Snapdragon apple slices, red grapes
DRIED FRUITS: Mariani Dried Apricots, Cherry Bay Orchards Dried Montmorency Cherries
NUTS: Blue Diamond Honey Roasted Almonds, Fisher Roasted Cashews, Roundy’s Pecan Halves
SAVORY: Murray’s Garlic Stuffed Olives, Trois Petits Cochons Cornichons
DIPS: Private Selection Whole Grain Garlic Mustard, Local Hive Honey, Divina Fig Spread
BREADS: Alessi Breadsticks, Private Selection Peppercorn & Poppy Water Crisps, Back to Nature Multigrain Flax Seeded Flatbread
Collier’s Easy Mellow Cheddar
There are untold varieties of cheddar cheese, so it can be daunting to pick the right one. One surefire choice is Colliers Easy Mellow Cheddar aged for five or six months. As its name suggests, this Welsh cheddar offers a creamy, smooth texture as well as a well-rounded sense of sweetness and standout flavor. Its mildness makes it a highly versatile cheese that can please people of all tastes.
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When Should You Serve A Charcuterie Board
Charcuterie makes for a great appetizer or meal for nearly any occasion. Some of the best times to create and serve a charcuterie spread include:
- Picnics: Charcuterie boards have an earthy feel that makes them perfect for a picnic. Its easy to pack the ingredients separately and quickly arrange them on a tray once you choose the perfect spot for your picnic.
- Celebrations: Whether youre celebrating an engagement, a new home, a birthday, a new baby or any other of lifes special moments, a charcuterie tray is a perfect way to enjoy special occasions.
- Holiday gatherings: The holiday season is one of the most popular times to indulge in delicious cured meats and cheeses, so a charcuterie board is right at home at a Christmas or New Years party.
- Dinner parties: Charcuterie boards serve as an easy and impressive appetizer when youre entertaining. They can even serve as the main course if youre hosting a more informal dinner party.
- Romantic dates: What is more romantic than enjoying a glass of wine and delicious food with someone you love? A charcuterie board is an excellent choice if you want to create a romantic date for you and your partner.
La Cabezuela Tradicional Semi Curado Cheese
Another award-winning item, La Cabezuela Tradicional Semi Curado is a traditional Spanish goat cheese aged for two months and salted by hand. It won the bronze medal for Worlds Best Cheese 2011-2012 and 2015-2016 for its combination of grassy and earthy flavors. The edible rind that develops during the maturation process provides a pleasant aftertaste of fresh wild mushrooms.
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Tips For A Fabulous Charcuterie Board
December 30, 2013 By Meredith Steele
Creating a charcuterie board is not only simple but makes an impressive party appetizer! Throw one together with these 5 tips, complete with drink pairings created by our certified sommelier.
Ready to go beyond the classic cheese plate at you next party? Maybe this New Years Eve is the time to step things up a bit with a fabulous and stunning charcuterie board! A charcuterie board is the cured meat version of the cheese plate and I believe every party should have one! Seriously, its hands-down the easiest and most impressive appetizer for any get-together or cocktail party. It also can be an easy and simple light dinner when no one wants to cook to which Im guilty of especially on weekends.
All there is to an EPIC charcuterie board is a variety of cured meats, something pickled, maybe a little pate, and a few dabs of bold flavors. The best part is that most, if not all, of these items can be bought at your local grocery store although paté and more of the less common meats can be found at specialty markets such as Whole Foods, Central Market, Trader Joes or local cheese shops. Just ask your deli department to slice your favorite meats for you and all the work is done.
How To Create A Variety Charcuterie Board
Now that weve focused on meats and cheeses, lets look at what you should include on a more diverse charcuterie board. Most charcuterie boards feature a lot more than meat and cheese, though the meats and cheeses still tend to be the center of attention. The additions of things like crackers, fruits and spreads complement the meat and cheese and create a more well-rounded combination of flavors, textures and colors. Lets look at each of these complementary elements so you can put together a spread that is sure to please a crowd.
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What Kind Of Meat Do You Put On A Cheese Tray
Again, this is like the cheese: use what you like. Here are my suggestions:
- Salami, for me, is a must. Its often the only meat I put on my charcuterie tray, because its a universal meat. I often use regular salami and peppercorn salami on my trays .
- If you want to be a little fancier, try prosciutto, mortadella, or sopressata.
- You can use thinly sliced meats or stick salami that you cut into chunks.
Really, there is no recipe for a cheese board. Its all about what you like and then throwing it all together.
What Kind Of Cheese Goes With Fruit
Cheese and fruit go hand in hand! Here are a few pairings I love.
- Strawberries and goat cheese, you can even add a balsamic reduction to drizzle over the two.
- Watermelon and feta are a great pair even adding a little mint to give it a little flare!
- Pear goes really well with brie as well as raspberries and cream cheese.
There are so many pairing options with cheese and fruit!
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Tips For Wine Pairings With Charcuterie
Wine is meant to accompany and highlight the food before you. Most charcutiers and cheesemongers publish detailed profiles of their products, commonly sharing other food and wine pairings alongside the descriptions of the items. A quick search of the purveyor or simply the style of the product will reveal clues for solid wine pairings.
Casa Madaio Rosso Cheese
The Casa Madaio Rosso Cheese is a seasoned cheese from Campania, Italy. Sweet pecorino is aged for two months and then uniformly dusted with red pepper powder before being stored for another four months. The unique red rosso coloring on the rind is both beautiful and piquant, creating a spiced pecorino that will go well with lightly smoked charcuterie meats.
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Pair With Higher Acid Lower Alcohol Wines
Many experts would argue that fuller-bodied red and white wines are too bold for light charcuterie meats and cheeses, but there are always exceptions to the rules. Champagne and sparkling wine are so often considered the best wine pairing with charcuterie due to high acidity, lower alcohol and their affinity for salty dishes. Because Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon has a silky texture, forward fruit flavor, nice acidity, subtle tannins and lower alcohol, its a very versatile red wine with charcuterie. Jordan Chardonnay also has lower alcohol and higher acidity, so it can also work with prosciutto and other salty meats, whereas a big, buttery Chardonnay would overpower the pairing and taste hot . Similarly, a big, rich Napa Cabernet with alcohol above 14% would most likely drown out the meats delicate flavors and taste hot and even spicy at times. If you love red wines, the key is to look for those with lower tannins and alcohols under 13.8%.
Charcuterie Board Modern Honey
Charcuterie Board Modern Honey
How to make an EPIC Charcuterie Board Its holiday time which means entertaining, parties, and lots of eating. When I am having people over, I love to put out a beautiful meat and cheese board when they arrive. I have shared a post about making the ULTIMATE FRUIT and CHEESE BOARD but wanted to share more ideas for making a WINTER FRUIT and CHEESE BOARD which highlights what is available in stores this time of year. People either love or despise bleu cheese so it may be the most polarizing cheese on the cheese board. Tips for Serving Fruit and Cheese Platter:For optimal cheese flavor, bring to room temperature. .
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Ideas For Using Up The Leftovers
Depending on the size of the board and how many people you need to serve, you may wind up with leftovers. Hey, thats not a bad thing if you put them to use later. Here are some ideas for taking care of the leftovers:
- Use the mozzarella and tomatoes to make a sandwich or Caprese breakfast egg cups.
- Use nuts and dried fruits to serve with the perfect oatmeal.
- Make a fruit salad, a smoothie bowl, or even use the fresh fruit leftovers as a topping for this acai bowl recipe.
- Hummus makes a great spread for sandwiches!
- Veggies are great for making this cabbage soup loaded with veggies or a hearty beef stew.
Be creative and put your meat and cheese platter leftovers to use!
