A charcuterie board is always a crowd favorite. Whether you’re hosting a party, watching a sports event on TV, or just having a few friends over for a girls night, it’s a yummy appetizer (or meal) for any fun event. There are a few staples that every board needs, while of course accommodating dietary restrictions:
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Cheese: A few crowd favorites are goat cheese, brie, provolone, cheddar, mozzarella, and gouda. Mozzarella can taste wonderful on tomatoes drizzled in balsamic vinaigrette.
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Crackers and/or Bread: to spread the cheese/spreads on of course! There are all different kinds of crackers to choose from, but a variety pack is always a safe bet. Crackers are sometimes preferred to give some crunch, but bread can also be a fabulous contribution to the board. Some crowd pleasers are french baguettes, sourdough, and pumpernickel.
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Meats: Salami, prosciutto (you can wrap it around cantaloupe for a sweet and salty treat!), sausage, and pepperoni.
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Fruit: Grapes, berries, cantaloupe, and dried fruit are all tasty additions!
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Honey/Spreads: Honey drizzled on cheese gives the perfect taste in your mouth. Some additional favorites are fig spreads and jams.
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Pickles: I personally like sweet pickles, but that’s a controversial topic. It’s another way to add crunch to your board as well as a variety of flavors.
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Nuts: a variety of nuts is always nice, but my personal favorite kind of nuts for a board are walnuts.
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Chocolates: A little side of chocolate covered almonds or chocolate covered toffee adds a nice sugary element to the board.
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Something bubbly on the side: If you don’t drink, you might opt for something like sparkling apple cider. If you do, champagne or sparkling rose is a great choice!
If you’re looking for a way to be covid safe and still enjoy a charcuterie board with friends, you can make each person a personalized plate. This is also a great idea for people with allergies or different tastes in food.
Charcuterie boards can lean on the expensive side, so if you are working on a budget, don’t worry! A simple board with a little bit of cheese, crackers, and meats can be yummy and satisfying.
Get creative, have fun, and know that there’s no wrong way to make a charcuterie board, unless you have olives (just kidding! That’s another controversial topic.) It’s the perfect way to wind down, relax, and have meaningful or silly conversations with friends and family.