Delectably savory meats and cheeses balanced with olives, crackers, nuts, and fruits served on a gorgeous wooden board. Talk about the perfect party platter! Not only is it amazingly delicious, but it's also super attractive.
Berries(strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries)
Fresh grapes
Apples
Figs
Dates
Cranberries
Marmalade or fruit preserves
Savory Options
Mustard,spicy and/or stone-ground
Grape tomatoes
Roasted bell peppers
Cocktail pickles
Olives
Almond
Roasted nuts
Instructions
Pick a Board - There are different boards to choose from - use whatever you have on hand. Wooden cutting boards, marble boards, serving trays, or even a large plate. If purchasing a charcuterie board, check out the home goods department for the best selections.
Start with large items or cheeses. Be sure to place any cheese that needs cutting on the side of the board to facilitate cutting. Continue setting the cheese far apart from each other.
Thinly slice meat and fold in quarters or decoratively (as shown in the photo). Place on the board, and repeat with the remaining meat.
Lay crackers on the board, as desired. (See photo for reference)
Proceed with the rest of the ingredients. Place the fruit next to a cheese it pairs well with; no worries if it does not work out perfectly. Put nuts and smaller items like olives in small bowls or cups.
Fill in the nooks and blank spots with remaining small items (fruits, snacks, crackers, or whatever rocks your boat). Remember, you might have to move a few things around while creating your board.
Notes
Keep it simple! It's easy to let what you see on social media carry you away, but keep your audience in mind. Design your board based on your guests' likes and dislikes. There's no shame in loading up your tray with cheddar and salami if that's what your guests know and love.
Add lots of color and texture! I love to add color through bright red apples, green and red grapes, blueberries, red cherry tomatoes, and green and black olives. Raspberries, blackberries, and other fruit are great for creating texture on the board!
Calculate your meats and cheeses. I usually allow 2 to 3 ounces each of meat and cheese per guest. Some people will eat more, some will eat less, and it always balances out in the end.
Please keep in mind that the nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on the products used in the recipe.