How to Make a Charcuterie Board

Preparing a cheese and meat board as an appetizer is a favorite hostess go-to of mine. It's something that can easily be prepped beforehand and set out for people to graze and socialize while you greet everyone and get the party started. Foreplanning the components of these snack displays is a key element to their success and can sometimes feel overwhelming, which led me to share my tips and tricks for creating an aesthetically pleasing and tasty charcuterie board.

When building a charcuterie, the meats and cheeses should be the star of the plate, with fruits, bread, and spreads as fillers. Offering a variety of textures, flavors, and colors enhances the dish allowing something for everyone's palate. 

Planning Your Charcuterie

• When thinking of ideas for charcuterie boards I find starting with cheeses helps the rest of the board fall into place. Once you have your cheese selection, you can choose wine, meats, and fruits that pair best with each type.
• A common hostess concern is ensuring enough food is there without having too much, plus no one wants to squander good cheese. When using a charcuterie board as an appetizer or dessert, the recommended portion is 2 to 4 ounces per person of meat as well as cheese. If the intention is for the main dish, 6 to 8 ounces per person of meat and cheese should get everyone feeling full, with little waste.
• I like to have an equal ratio for cheese, meat, and bread, usually opting for three of each. For aesthetic purposes, odd numbers work well if you're wanting to go heavier on meat or cheese offerings.
  
• For best quality and freshness, shop for ingredients 1 to 2 days before your event. When making my grocery list, I like to have a substitute in mind for fruit options in case the selection isn't at its best that day. This way your entire board isn't thrown off by one bad apple.

Tips & Best Practices

• Order a cheese pairing assortment when possible. This takes the hassle out of ensuring you have a balance of options and you can pick one that matches well with your favorite wine or chocolates if it's a dessert board.
  
• Before visiting the market, have an idea of what's in season to ensure you pick the smartest pairing. Seasonal fruit makes a board look its freshest and adds a little festive spirit. For best produce by month, check out this reference guide.
• Make digging in effortless on guests by constructing a simple charcuterie board with precut cheeses and easy access to the assortment. You want it to look full but not be overcrowded for your guests to enjoy. Here is a helpful guide on how to cut cheeses based on type.
• Conduct a dry run the day before. Having the design ready to go allows you to throw it together quickly while setting up. Strategically place your bread to prevent it from getting soggy, and mix in nuts and pretzel sticks as bread options to add some crunch to the board. You can use fruits, spreads, and fresh herbs as color additives, balancing them throughout the selection. Once everything is where you want it, take a photo for reference. Then wash your fruit, slice the cheese, and wrap everything separately before putting it back in the fridge.
• Cheeses are best served at room temperature and meats cold for the best flavors. Take out your cheese before putting the board together to give it some time to not be so cold.

Butcher Block | Cheese Pairing | Ramekins (Similar Style)

Assembling Your Charcuterie

1. Place cheeses and meats evenly around the serving board or plate.
2. Layout any bowls or mini ramekins for jams or honey.
3. Set out bread in spots to prevent sogginess.
4. Use fruits, vegetables, and nuts to fill in the open space.
5. Finish by arranging herbs or floral decor.

I like to create meat roses for an edible visual piece. Here is my tutorial on how to make meat flowers. 

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A post shared by Katherine Mazzola (@thegiftbulb)

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Riesling Cheese Pairing Assortment

Butcher Block

Specialty Meats Crate

Ramekins

Taste of The World Box

Teak Oval Board

A simple charcuterie board fits for all occasions; a date night for two, a small dinner party, and even family game night. If properly planned, the presentation will show the forethought that goes into it and the simplicity of building it will grow over time as you keep putting them together. 

I hope you enjoyed these tips, and be sure to share your best approach to a charcuterie board and favorite cheese pairings in the comments section below.​

Until next time,
Katherine

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