If all you’ve been craving is wine and cheese lately, you’re not alone. ‘Tis the season of finger foods, holiday parties, and charcuterie boards, but it need not be a major time or money investment. Simple, quality foods can make for big flavor and fun!
- Keep it simple. Contrary to popular belief, charcuterie doesn’t need to be a major time-suck or financial investment. An interesting cheese, a stick of salami, and some crackers on a plate or cutting board will do just fine. It’s all about enjoyment–not how much you can pack onto your board.
- Aim for contrast in taste and texture. The rules of gastronomy state that variations in size, taste, color, temperature, and texture add that satisfying feeling to your culinary experience. Charcuterie is the perfect example of this: the saltiness of olives, versus the sweetness of honey, versus the bitterness of your hand-picked cheese. Add sugar sparingly: A drizzle of honey or a couple of blackberries thoughtfully placed will delight the palate without things getting too sweet.
- Use a garnish. A sprig of thyme or sprinkle of pomegranate seeds go a long way and add that “something Instagrammable” to your delicious arrangement.
- Go local. Locally-sourced ingredients are fresher, and the quality always comes out in the flavor. Local sourcing also brings great conversation to the dinner table. Check out our Find Food & Farms directory to find sources of local meats, cheese, wines, and produce near you.
- Talk to an expert. A conversation with the cheese connoisseur of a local dairy farm or the bartender of your local winery will prove essential to finding interesting and delightful pairings to feature on your board. Plus, talking fine food with fine folks in your community is always a fun time!
- You bring the wine, I’ll bring the cheese. Including everyone in the building of a board splits the cost amongst friends and makes them feel included in the fun. So have your guests grab something on the way – go easy on yourself, super-hostess!
- Think of your audience. Are you serving 2-3 friends, a whole family, or just yourself? Try to buy only what you think you will need. Do you need to include an option for a vegan, or someone who’s not drinking? No worries! From brie made from cashews to soy-based mozzarella – you’d be surprised by the delicious alternative ingredients that are available. Not to mention the warm fuzzies your guest will feel when they discover how much you thought of them.
- Add an entrée. Charcuterie is less about satisfying a big appetite and more about pausing to reflect on subtle variations in flavor. If your guests are hungry (say, if your gathering is around dinnertime) – and especially if a lot of wine or beer tasting is in the plans (wink, wink) – you may want to have something hardier available. Easy meals that fit the vibe but won’t ruin your palate could include Red Wine Vinaigrette Pasta Salad, Black Star Farms Bruschetta, shrimp scampi, or simply – large slices of nice bread, slathered with brie and fig jam, topped with prosciutto.
Ideas for Toppings
You can make anything into a charcuterie board! You might even have some ingredients already in the cabinet. First, get your creative juices flowing with these suggestions:
- Meats. Summer sausage and salami are classics, but if you want to switch it up, get creative with candied bacon, prosciuttos roses, honey-baked ham, or meat substitutes like seitan, imitation sausage, or marinated tempeh.
- Cheeses. Include cheeses with different flavor profiles: perhaps one sharp, one sweet, and one garlicky. Peruse the cheese aisle and try something you normally wouldn’t; let yourself be pleasantly surprised!
- Crackers, bread, and pretzels. Mostly used for stacking and dipping, this doesn’t have to be anything crazy. Think of your crackers as the boosting board for all your other flavors; for this reason, unflavored crackers are sometimes best. Getting creative with differently shaped crackers, though, is a good way to add visual variety to your board.
- Olives. Black or green both work great. Try olives that are stuffed with garlic, peppers, or blue cheese.
- Pickled veggies. Beets, asparagus, onions, and more. Pickled vegetables can be homemade, store-bought, or found at local farmer’s markets!
- Berries. Blackberry, raspberry, the options are endless!
- Pears. Ripe pears “pear” fabulously with salami, wine, and cheese.
- Other fruits. Add citrus, figs, or apple slices to your board. Does your local food co-op have a unique fruit you’ve never tried before? Your guests would probably love to try it, too.
- Sauces. Use small ramekins to add local honey, special mustards (dijon, anyone?), jams, and other dipping sauces to your board.
- Roasted garlic. Chop a head of garlic in half, roast it in the oven with oil, and include it on the side of your board, shell-and-all. So elegant!
- Herbs. Rosemary, thyme, basil, and parsley are easy on the eyes and bring that fresh aroma.
- Seeds and nuts. These additions are yummy and make great filler items for busy charcuterie boards.
- Remember there are no rules. Add whatever you want: This is your board–completely unique–and there will never be another like it. Happy tasting!
Find quality local ingredients near you with our Find Food and Farms Directory. Need to invest in a Michigan-made board? Check out our Michigan Local Gift Guide!
Lily Venable is the Social Media Coordinator for Taste the Local Difference.