One of the most casual appetizers around is the charcuterie board. Set one out for your guests to graze on with a glass of wine or cocktail.
A great way to start any meal or Happy Hour is the charcuterie board. Awed by many, the wooden board with its plentiful cured meats and a variety of cheeses is the appetizer idea that has us all oohing and aahing over and wanting to duplicate at home.
Charcuterie (shahr-koo-tu-ree) is a French word and its a form of preserving and curing meats, such as bacon, ham or salami. Today, we use the word to describe the assembly of meats and cheeses as an appetizer or snack. Often, these boards are designed to entice our palates with a combination of sweet, salty, and savory.
Making a charcuterie board doesn't have to be complicated. Just pick what you like. I love the versatility of them. You can arrange any variety of meats, cheeses, crackers, fruits, and vegetables. A visually interesting and delicious board should have a combination of these elements:
A selection of meats and cheeses presliced or some that are not. Totally up to you!
Something spreadable, such as a spread, dip, or pâté.
An accessory, such as dried fruits, nuts, picked vegetables, seasonal fresh fruit, and jams. These salty, sweet, acidic or savory add-ons compliment the meat and cheese.
A base to put these delectable meats and cheeses on, such as crackers, bread, or raw vegetables.
Choose a board. It can be any material and shape:
wood
marble
slate
You could also use a tray or a platter. Decorative trays or platters, on the other hand, are most likely not food safe. If you're not sure, you can cover the bottom with parchment paper, or pesticide free lemon or fig leaves, if you can find. Safety first!
It's also nice to use small bowls for olives or jam, and glasses for long breadsticks. You can get creative and fun with how you put it all together.
A charcuterie board is the perfect casual appetizer. My boards tend to be on the smaller side since I am serving a few guests or just for my husband and I. You can tailor one to suit how many people you are serving. I personally like themed ones. I love Italian nibbles, but I also enjoy Spanish and Mediterranean inspired boards too. For a Spanish board you could use; Iberico ham, chorizo, Marcona almonds, fig jam, olives, crusty bread, and cheeses made of sheep's milk, such as Manchego. For a Mediterranean inspired board assemble together; olives, apricot jam, eggplant spread, hummus, goat cheese, feta cheese, cucumbers, pita bread or a sesame seed bread. There are so many options. I hope you try one. Enjoy!
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