First, let's talk a few basics. If you're going to build a charcuterie board be sure to include the following categories:
1. MEAT - Salami & Prosciutto are recommended for starters. 2. CHEESE - Mix in a variety of soft & hard cheeses like brie, smoked gouda & aged white cheddar. 3. BREAD & CRACKERS - Choose an assortment of sizes/flavors to match your cheese. 4. FRUIT - add fresh and dried fruit for lots of great options some that work great include grapes, dried apricots, dried cranberries, olives & blackberries. 5. NUTS - Pistachios add a great pop of color, cashews and almonds are always crowd favorites. 6. CHOCOLATE - Chunks of dark chocolate are a great go-to and pairs well with everything!
Presentation Tips:
Here's where you can take your hosting style to the next level! Use some of these pointers to make your charcuterie display look professional:
1. PILE IT ON - Make sure your display doesn't look "flat" or bare by piling up the items on your board and don't be afraid to make a few giant mounds of meat or chocolate. 2. ADD DEPTH - Use multiple cheese boards elevated on wooden blocks or even pretty cake plates to add extra layers of depth and height to your display. Tie them together by cascading big beautiful bunches of grapes from one layer to another. 3. GO VERTICAL - Include some tall breadsticks in a mason jar to give extra height to your display. 4. ADD DISHES - Separate some of your food by putting items like olives, hummus or dips and other dried fruit in small bowls or ramekins. 5. GARNISH - If you need to fill in some empty spaces or add a little more color to your display, add a garnish like fresh rosemary sprigs randomly in different places on your board.
