Learn how to make your own DIY charcuterie board with cured meats, cheeses, crackers, fruits, and nuts, including tips on beautiful presentation. This appetizer is perfect for lunch or dressed up for a party.
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Whenever I go out to a trendy restaurant, if they serve charcuterie and cheese boards I will automatically order one. They tend to be around $20 but for what you get, I don't think it's too expensive.
Generally, my husband and I will order the board, another appetizer, some wine, and dessert and have a wonderful dinner. There's no need to order any other main dishes because these are so filling.
I love the variety of meats, cheeses, crackers, jellies, and fruits. I have a certain affinity for jellies and love trying new ones.
* Pro Tip: How to pronounce charcuterie: Shar-koo-tuh-ree
What is a charcuterie board?
A charcuterie board is a large serving platter or wood cutting board filled with artfully placed cured meats, cheeses, nuts, crackers, fruit, jellies, condiments, and olives. Really this is just a common basis for these boards, but they can vary greatly.
Some unique charcuterie ideas are dessert boards, smoked fish and cracker boards, and an appetizer bites board.
The only real requirement is that the food can be eaten with your hands. Artful styling is just a bonus and not at all a requirement. They shouldn't take much time to prepare.
The word charcuterie is derived from the French word charcuit, meaning "flesh," and cuit, meaning "cooked." A charcutier sold smoked meats hanging in store windows to draw in people.
How to build your DIY charcuterie boards
- It's really very simple to set it up and make it look like you spent all day on it. It's all about arrangement.
- Start with the small bowls first then go in with the blocks of cheese to lay the foundation.
- Next, spread out the sliced cheese, meats, and crackers.
- Finally, add in the small items like nuts, fruit, and olives.
- Garnish with sprigs of basil, rosemary, thyme, or mint.
Meats & Cheeses
The best meats are cured and bought from the deli section of your grocery store. I like having at least one spicy one to liven up the whole affair. The key is to get a variety.
Here are some ideas:
- Meats such as pepperoni, Cappola, and salami.
- Cheeses such as brie, chevre, parmesan, and goat cheese.
Crackers & Bread
The best crackers are sturdy and thicker so they won't break easily if you want to top them with some cheese and jelly.
Here are some ideas:
- You can buy a variety pack of serving crackers or any that are sturdy and can be eaten with cheese and meats.
- You can serve bread as well, such as a sliced baguette.
Fruit & Garnish
A variety of fresh and dried fruit and leafy garnishes go in last to fill in the empty spaces and add a little decoration.
Here are some ideas:
- Fresh fruit such as grapes, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries.
- Dried fruit such as apricots, cherries, and raisins.
- Garnishes like pickles, olives, yogurt covered raisins, pistachios, and bowls of jellies
Tips for the perfect charcuterie board
Balance is key to a great DIY charcuterie board. What do I mean by this?
A good combination of colors, textures, and flavor profiles is what makes a charcuterie platter amazing. Think simple and easy here. There's no need to overcomplicate it.
Textures include crunchy, chewy, and creamy should be the base, or where you start. For example, crunchy crackers, chewy meats, and creamy jams.
The second part of this is the flavor profile. These are salty, sweet, savory, and spicy. This might look like spicy coppa (cured meat), salty nuts, sweet jelly, and savory salami.
What to serve with the board? If you're wondering what to serve alongside one of these varied platters, I suggest crusty bread and a bottle of good red wine.
The bread would add to the textures and go great with the meat, cheese, and wine.
The wine would round out the flavors of the meats, especially if they are spicy, and enhance the flavors of the cheeses.
They are great for the holidays in November and December. Plus, if you're eating from a charcuterie board, you're most likely enjoying visiting with friends or family, and a glass of wine goes great with that too!
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How To Make DIY a Charcuterie Board
Learn how to make your own DIY charcuterie board with cured meats, cheeses, crackers, fruits, and nuts, including tips on beautiful presentation. This appetizer is perfect for lunch or dressed up for a party.
Ingredients
- Meats such as pepperoni, Cappola, and salami.
- Cheeses such as brie, chevre, parmesan, and goat cheese.
- Variety pack of serving crackers or any that are sturdy and can be eaten with cheese and meats.
- Bread such as a sliced baguette.
- Fresh fruit such as grapes, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries.
- Dried fruit such as apricots, cherries, and raisins.
- Garnishes like pickles, olives, yogurt covered raisins, pistachios, and bowls of jellies
Instructions
- Start with the small bowls first then go in with the blocks of cheese to lay the foundation.
- Next, spread out the sliced cheese, meats, and crackers.
- Finally, add in the small items like nuts, fruit, and olives.
- Garnish with sprigs of basil, rosemary, thyme, or mint.
Notes
A good combination of colors, textures, and flavor profiles is what makes a charcuterie platter amazing. Think simple and easy here. There's no need to overcomplicate it.
I always desired to publish on my web site a little something like that. I usually don't write-up comments in blogs but your blog site forced me to, tremendous effort.
It really helped when you said to use sturdy and thick crackers on a board to go along with the cheese. My friends and I are doing a charcuterie board this weekend while we watch the Bachelor. It might be a good idea to get a variety pack of crackers that can be eaten with meats and cheese.
I'm glad that was helpful! A variety pack of crackers is a great idea.