Charcuterie is all the rage, offering a classy experience with a variety of lovely salty, sweet, and savory flavors. However, making a solid charcuterie board is easier said than done. How do you put together an unforgettable charcuterie board for your next socialization event?
Keep reading to learn more about how to create a tasty and gorgeous charcuterie board without assistance from expensive caterers and professional social media personalities. We’ll discuss the best practices for an excellent charcuterie board and where to buy top-of-the-line products.
4 Steps to Make An Incredible Charcuterie Board
1. Gather The Right Food
The first step of making the optimal charcuterie board is what you might think - you need the best food. Not every food is created equal, and you need excellent flavors that pair together and create harmony in the mouth, not a nasty aftertaste.
The most common additions to a solid charcuterie board include meat, fruit, herbs, toppings, and crackers. Let’s dive into the best charcuterie selections you can buy and how to balance them well on your board.
Meat
You can choose whatever meats you like, but some selections are more popular than others for the charcuterie experience. For example, someone might go with a Saucisson De Lyon for a coarse texture and subtle flavor or chorizo for a little more tasty kick in every bite.
No matter what meat you choose, place it in light groupings around the board. A solid, meaty protein adds excellent flavor and some density to the board, but you don’t want to pack the board with too much, or it will be overwhelming. Some meats fold into shapes, so you can have fun with the process.
Fruit
Fruits are another necessity for an incredible charcuterie board. Not only do they add a pop of color, but they are also refreshing amidst the carbohydrates and other spices situated on the board.
Popular fruits for the charcuterie board include grapes, blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries. However, the options are endless, and you can pick any fruit that suits your taste.
Herbs and Nuts
Herbs and nuts are another addition and one of the choices on a charcuterie board that some might eat and others would use to eat with other components on the charcuterie board. The options are endless here, whether using herbs and nuts for their color, aroma, taste, or more.
Some excellent choices for herbs and nuts include almonds, mint, and cashews. Again, you can pick and choose based on what you love.
Toppings
Toppings are essential for added flavor and a pop of color on your charcuterie board, whether you want to add something sweet or savory to your lineup. Honey makes an excellent addition, but so does a spicy mustard.
For instance, you might choose Maille Old Style Mustard for its lovely grainy texture and strong taste. Or, select Creme Fraiche for a thick, semi-sweet, and rich option.
Crackers
A final valuable choice on a charcuterie board is crackers. These are the vessels of the board, adding something crunchy to carry your softer flavors.
French Cocktail Blini are like small pancakes, offering an excellent crisp and soft texture. If you want something crispier for your charcuterie, consider something with more of a crunch like a sturdy pita cracker.
2. Pick a Beautiful Board
You’ve gathered all your toppings together, so now it’s time to pick a gorgeous board to present your charcuterie board on. Your food items will look boring against a terrible backdrop, so it’s critical to be careful with the selection process.
Charcuterie boards come in all shapes, sizes, and styles. However, four common materials are used to make them - wood, marble, glass, and ceramic. Wood is the most popular by far, as the others could damage a cutting knife.
Select a board that matches your aesthetic, fits your budget, and will fit all the necessary charcuterie items. It should be able to look nice while remaining durable and practical simultaneously.
3. Purchase Serving Tools
You have your food, and you have your board. The missing piece before the final arrangement are serving tools. After all, you need to be able to serve and display your food in style. That means investing in nice spoons for your dips, cheese knives for slicing, and even small dishes for guests to eat off of.
Tools like a Romano Cheese Hand Grater are excellent ways to display cheese and add it to the plates of your guests. The better the presentation, the more appealing and incredible your charcuterie board.
4. Arrange With Perfection
You now have all the items you need - tools, food, and a board. The final step in the process is to arrange your materials to make a beautiful eating arrangement that will appeal to anyone who is around it. From colors to shapes to flavors, every detail matters.
Here are a few tips for putting your charcuterie board together:
- Add structure first with small vessels full of dips and smaller items
- Place cheeses and meats next
- Utilize a few piles of crackers
- Fill the rest of the place with fruits, veggies, and herbs
Following this order will allow you to fill your board with ease.
Don’t try to put everything on the board at once, or you could find yourself in a mess. These steps permit structure and slow pops of color to help bring your charcuterie board to life, no matter what experience level you are at.
Know Where To Invest in the Best Charcuterie Essentials
You will find most charcuterie essentials at a local grocery store, with some higher-end products available at pricier grocery locations. If you would like, you can even head to specialty stores for products like cheese, meats, and other charcuterie essentials.
If you want to go straight to a trustworthy source for your charcuterie items, look no further than Kolikof Caviar & Gourmet. They will provide everything you need, from specialty meats to pastries you can’t find anywhere else. The best part? All these items are delivered right to your front door.
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