How to create the perfect charcuterie board

How to create the perfect charcuterie board

What is Charcuterie?

Charcuterie is the art of making cured meats. It's a French word that comes from charcuterie, which means "pork butchery", we think Charcuterie sounds much nicer!  The practice of charcuterie dates back to Roman times and has been around ever since. The word charcuterie can refer to either the finished product or the process of making it--and there's more than one way to make each kind!

 

Ingredients for a Charcuterie

Cheeses - One cheese selection is perfectly fine but if want to add some variety you can also add up to 2-4 different types of cheese, ideally a mix of hard (parmesan, asiago, aged gouda), firm (manchego, cheddar, colby), semi-soft (muenster, havarti), blue cheese (gorgonzola) or even crumbly cheese (goat cheese, feta).  
Meats - Prosciutto, genoa salami, chorizo, soppressata, ham, and cured sausaged are all classic choices for a charcuterie board. 

Crackers -  a classic choice is water crackers, crostini's add some crunch and texture, multigrain crackers add a healthier option, flat bread options usually include different herbs and seasoning toppings for flavor and come in different sizes, and cheese straws add some visual interest are a fun and tasty option for a charcuterie board.

Bread (I like to use a baguette) but you can use whatever you prefer.
Olives, fruits, and nuts are all good options for a charcuterie platter. I like to add some jams or honey as well. If you want to go all out with your charcuterie board, pickles are another great option!

Tools for a Charcuterie

Sturdy Wooden Charcuterie board
Cutting board
Cheese knifes
Serving spoon (optional)
Measuring cups or spoons (optional)

    Creating the Perfect Charcuterie

    Choose meats and cheeses.

    Get creative with arranging your items on your board.  Try not to group the same items together to create some visual interest but there's really no wrong way.

    Add garnishes and decorations as desired to complete your charcuterie masterpiece!

    Serving the Perfect Charcuterie

    Once your charcuterie board is ready to go, it's time to add the final touches. This is where things get fun!

    Choose the right platter or board. You don't want your guests to have their first bite of meat on a flimsy plate that will tip over at the slightest bump in conversation. Make sure that whatever serving surface you choose has enough weight and stability to not tip over when people start reaching for more food.


    Add accompaniments: Bread, crackers, and olives are all classic accompaniments for charcuterie boards--but feel free to get creative with other options like pickled vegetables or jams (try pairing fig jam with prosciutto!). If there are any items left over after serving everyone their share of meats (which hopefully won't happen!), consider packing them up into small jars as take-home gifts for friends who couldn't make it out tonight but still want some delicious homemade treats!

     

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