You eat with your eyes first, right?
A Charcuterie Board is one of the most elegant and impressive appetizers you can make. A beautiful sight to behold at any gathering. But guess what? It is also one of the easiest appetizers you can make.
Charcuterie boards are all the rage right now. Everyone talks about who makes the best Charcuterie Board. When I was a young adult in the 1980’s, everyone made a “Cheese Plate”. Or a “Fruit and Cheese Tray”. Even now, you can place a wedge of brie, some great crackers and a bunch of grapes on a beautiful plate and present a gorgeous appetizer.
Whether an elaborate Charcuterie Board, or a simple Fruit and Cheese tray, it’s all in the presentation.
Historically speaking
Technically a Charcuterie Board is a meat tray. The French word “charcuterie” means cooked meat, and these were usually cured meats and sausages.
In the past, for wealthy families in many countries, meals were served in courses. At the end of the meal was the cheese course. Served last because it accompanied dessert wines. There are instructions as far back as the 1800’s for where each cheese should be placed on the platter.
And there is the British ploughman’s lunch. In the past, field workers ate preserved meats, hard cheeses and bread. These required no refrigeration. This is a lunch platter still served in British pubs today.
More recently was the smorgasbord. A buffet of meats, cheeses, hors d’oeuvres and salads. Popular for cocktail parties in the early 1900s.
Whatever the name, a spread of meat, cheese, fruit and bread has been around for ages.
What you need
Meats
Cheeses
Bread, Crackers
Spreads, Sauces, Jams
Fruit
Use any variety you like of meats, cheeses, fruit and bread or crackers. There are a lot of charcuteries boards out there. Or you can use a large cutting board, platter or a pizza peel.
If you’re serving a large crowd, make a charcuterie table. You don’t have to squeeze everything onto one board. Use a mix of several boards, platters and bowls. Spread them out over a table or kitchen island.
How to make a Charcuterie Board
Start by arranging the meats. Then add small dip bowls of spreads, olives or jams.
Next add cheeses, breads and crackers. Fill in with nuts. Often in the winter I use dried fruit and nuts instead of fresh fruit.
Charcuterie Board
A Charcuterie Board is one of the most elegant and impressive appetizers you can make. It is also one of the easiest.
Ingredients
- Meats
- Cheeses
- Bread, Crackers
- Spreads, Sauces, Jams
- Fruit
Directions
- Step 1 Start by arranging the meats.
- Step 2 Then add small dip bowls of spreads, olives or jams.
- Step 3 Next add cheeses, breads and crackers.
- Step 4 Fill in with nuts.
