How to Create an EXTRAvagant Charcuterie Board

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Sharing my top tips on how to create an EXTRAvagant charcuterie board.

Charcuterie boards have become a staple in our home for everything from backyard weddings, baby showers, holiday parties, football games, weekend snacks, to an ultimate s’mores board for a summer bonfire, and everything in between. The best part is you can tailor your charcuterie board to fit the theme of your get together!

Three Steps to Create an EXTRAvagant Charcuterie Board

The key to building an EXTRAvagant charcuterie board is to fill it with both sweet and savory ingredients you and your guests will enjoy. If you’re serving your charcuterie board as an appetizer, aim for 2-3 ounces of meat and 5-6 ounces of cheese per person. However, if you intend to serve this as a meal, double these amounts.

Here are a few suggestions to keep in mind when building an epic charcuterie board.

Step 1: Gather the Ingredients & Decorations Dependent Upon Your Theme

Before you begin to pick out your ingredients, determine what theme you will follow. Is it specific to a football game that will require a variety of meats and cheeses? Or will it be for a garden party theme specific with pastel colors? This will help determine the specific ingredients you’ll need to purchase.

Cured Meats

Add a variety of cured meats. This may include prosciutto, pepperoni, rillettes, saucisson sec, genoa salami, Spanish chorizo, and capicola.

Fresh Fruits

Choose from a variety of fresh fruit including strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, pomegranate seeds, figs, melon, and grapes. You can also add in dried fruits including dried apricots or cranberries.

Mixed Nuts

Serve everything from Salty, Spicy, and Sweet Mixed Nuts to my Candied Pecans.

Fresh Veggies

Veggies can add the perfect crunch, color, and flavor to any board. Choose from cherry tomatoes, watermelon radishes, bell peppers, and cucumbers.

Grains

Add a variety of whole grain crackers, pumpernickel bread, rye bread, or sourdough bread. Cut into slice with a bread knife.

Cheeses

Try a mix of hard and soft cheeses that include brie, manchego, cheddar or swiss cheese, fresh mozzarella, goat cheese, feta, crumbled bleu cheese, or gouda cheese.

Dips & Spreads

Dips and spreads can add the perfect texture and flavor to any charcuterie board. Add everything from hummus, tzatziki sauce, pico de gallo, to stone ground mustard for an umami flavor. Or my Creamy Hazelnut Spread and Triple Berry Jam for a sweet addition.

Fresh Herbs

Rosemary or thyme can fill in blank spaces, leaving color and visual appeal to any board!

Extras

Extras may include olives, pickles, antipasto skewers, popcorn, lemons, and limes, or sweet treats such as dark chocolate and cookies. If making a charcuterie spread, add a three-tier shrimp seafood tower for added dimension!

Decorations

Depending on the theme of your charcuterie board, subtle details can truly help pull off the most EXTRAvagant charcuterie board. If you’re creating a holiday themed board, add in specific foods that bring the board to life. Or, incorporate flowers for a pop of color such as dahlias, daisies, and carnations.

Step 2: Choose Your Serveware

After gathering your ingredients, begin collecting your serveware, choosing your board, platter or plate. Incorporate small bowls, platters, three-tier stands, or any serving dishes to display the food. Use different cheese knives, small spoons, spreaders, small plates, wooden picks and napkins. The key to building a beautiful charcuterie board is to have fun with the different serveware you have!

Step 3: Begin Filling Your Charcuterie Board

Begin to fill your charcuterie board by following these last few steps:

• Add an ODD number of small serving bowls to add your dips and spreads.
• Next, add in larger items like loaves of bread and wheels of cheese. Cut the cheese into wedges, triangles, cubes or squares.
  • Brie – cut into wedges.
  • Manchego – cut the wax rind off and cut into triangular slices.
  • Brick cheeses – cut into cubes.
  • Hard cheeses (gouda, parmesan) – cut into chunks by digging the tip of the knife in and twisting.
• Fold, bunch, or create rose petals with your chosen cured meats. One of my favorite additions to any charcuterie board is wrapped melon slices with prosciutto!
• Be creative with how you cut your fruits and veggies, experimenting with diagonal cutting or thin vs thick cuts. Fill in any open spaces with fresh and dried fruit, veggies, nuts, and any extras – try not to leave open areas on your charcuterie board.
• If you’re looking for specific ideas, like cutting radishes to look like mushrooms, making roses with different ingredients including strawberries, lemons and cured meats, or making butterflies out of oranges, be sure to checkout my Pinterest board!
• Complete the board by placing necessary serving spoons, tongs, or forks, along with any fresh herbs and decorations.

I hope you enjoyed my top tips on how to create an EXTRAvagant charcuterie board! Comment below or share this post with friends and family if you found it helpful. 😊