Over the past few years, charcuterie boards have become a huge trend on social media. First introduced in the 15th century as a French product used to sell pork, modern-day charcuterie boards are now a popular way to elegantly display cheese, crackers, fruits, nuts and dips.
Looking to hop on the trend? Here’s how you can make the ultimate charcuterie board.
Meats
When assembling a charcuterie board, start by choosing two or three different meats. Any cured meats, such as pastrami, pancetta and pepperoni, can pair well with some of the sweeter options in your display.
These dark, savory meats are usually some of the larger items on the board, so make sure to arrange them first. Get creative with how you choose to display them!
Cheeses
Next, it’s time to tackle the cheese. Charcuterie boards are often called “cheese boards” because of how important the cheese is to the entire display. With so many soft and hard cheeses to choose from, it can be difficult to select which ones will work best on your board.
Some popular cheese choices include brie, cheddar, gouda and burrata. Try matching your meat selections with cheeses that have complementary textures and flavors!
In terms of the board layout, you can choose to cube or slice the cheeses. If you are only using one or two different types, you might choose to add a wedge of each rather than cutting them into smaller pieces.
Fruits & Vegetables
Now you’re ready to incorporate some sweeter flavors with fresh fruits and vegetables. Any berries or grapes pair well with most cheeses, making them an essential component of your charcuterie board. As for vegetables, celery, carrots, peppers and cherry tomatoes can add some vibrant colors to your display.
When placing them on the board, try to keep the fruits closer to the cheese and the vegetables closer to where your spreads will be. This will make it easier for people to pair their favorites together, without having to reach across the board.
Bread & Crackers
A charcuterie board is not complete without bread and crackers! They are a filling base for your meat, cheese and spreads to sit upon. Some popular bread options include baguette, pumpernickel and sourdough.
For crackers, it’s common to go with water crisps or club crackers. Spread out your bread and cracker selections across the board. Place some next to the cheeses, more next to the meats and spreads.
Additional Spreads
Your last step in creating the ultimate charcuterie board is choosing your dips. Common spreads include jelly, jam, balsamic or ranch dip and mustard – the options are endless!
Before placing the spreads on your board, put them in ramekins or smaller containers. This will prevent them from getting mixed in with other items on the board.
For more tasty tips and tricks, explore the Colony Diner blog today!