Cheers to Charcuterie!

Over the past few years, the popularity of charcuterie boards has expanded from restaurant appetizers to holiday get-togethers and everything in between. The infinitely customizable assortment of meats, cheeses, fruits, breads, and spreads can add a pop of color and flavor to your table and provide many options for your family and guests. Do not be intimidated by this sometimes-difficult-to-pronounce word. There is no set recipe, which makes for a creative project each time!

What is Charcuterie? 

Charcuterie is a French term for the art of preparing and assembling cured meat and meat products.   Charcuterie-style meat and cheese boards have become very popular outside of France, and this concept has evolved to include many foods besides meat, along with a variety of presentation variations and ingredient themes. Charcuterie cones, skewers, jarcuterie (layered in a small mason jar), and dessert boards (although not technically charcuterie) are a few examples of this expanding trend.

Cheese Please! 

Everyone knows cheese is the main event! Not only does cheese pair well with all food groups, but it is also an incredibly nutrient-rich food and a great source of protein and calcium. Select two to four types of cheeses to get started, depending on the size of the board. Soft ripened cheese like Brie or Camembert, semi-hard cheese like Gouda or cheddar, and uniquely flavored cheese like blue or marinated feta are options that provide a mixture of flavors and textures. 

Tips for the Perfect Board 

Prepare a charcuterie board with a collection of foods from different categories. This ensures a wide variety of textures, flavors, and colors to choose from and makes it appealing to the eye as well. Here are suggested selections to include in the perfect board:

Cheese: Opt for a variety of textures, colors, and shapes. Pre-slice for ease of serving and allow cheese to sit out to room temperature for enhanced flavor. Soft cheeses can be served in a small dish with a cheese knife.

Meat: Popular meat options are salami, prosciutto, pepperoni, and ham. Roll or fold meats and stack. 

Fresh Fruits and Vegetables: Grapes, apples, berries, and dried fruits such as apricots and cherries are popular fruit choices. Cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, and radishes provide additional color and texture.

Bread and Crunch: Sliced baguette, crackers, pita chips, pretzel chips, and nuts are all great options. Placing them in small bowls or plates on the side will save room on the board, if needed.

Extras: Complete the board with extra elements that add unique flavors. Examples include jams or preserves, olives, hummus, salted butter, pickled vegetables, dips, and honey.