Charcuterie boards are just fun! They are fun to put together, fun to look at, and fun to eat from! They just add a relaxed tone to gatherings and make it acceptable for everyone to eat with their fingers!
The wide array of options found on charcuterie boards are wonderful conversation starters and a great way for guests to circulate. We’ve put together countless boards, each one different and special in its own way. These boards are so versatile that they can be incorporated into many different situations or seasons. We have used this concept for an assortment of occasions, including breakfasts and brunch, to accompany cocktail hour, for themed dinners (Mexican food, fondue, raclette, sandwich night etc.), as well as with an assortment of dessert options. Charcuterie boards have been made to serve anywhere from 5 to 50+ people at our home.
Our next board will be one of our favorites – a fun smores charcuterie board. This board is a great accompaniment to outdoor gatherings around a firepit or outdoor fireplace. This is an easy option for serving dessert at outdoor gatherings and can be divided among smaller separate boards to accommodate individual needs. Our smores boards contain an assortment of goodies including a selection of homemade marshmallows, an assortment of cookies like graham crackers, pizzelles, Biscoff and shortbread; a variety of chocolates, and fun toppings like sprinkles, toasted coconut, chopped nuts and crushed peppermints.
Charcuterie boards can be created using many shelf-stable items found in your pantry. This makes pulling together a quick spread, relatively easy if you’re able to keep some basics on hand.
Some of the pantry items we use for making our savory boards are:
- Cracker options (2-3 varieties work. Try a combination of Triscuits, Cheese-its, wheat crackers, flatbread, water crackers, sesame sticks, cheese straws, pumpernickel pretzel sticks or breadsticks)
- Olives (Castelvetrano and Kalamata provide variety)
- Nuts (2 types – marcona or raw/smoked almonds, pecans, walnuts, cashews, or peanuts work well)
- Gherkin pickles, marinated mushrooms or other finger sized marinated vegetables
- Dried fruit (dried lemon or orange slices, apricots or figs)
Some additional fresh items:
- A variety of vegetables – baby carrots, sugar snaps, cucumbers, mini peppers, radishes, cherry tomatoes, celery, cauliflower, broccoli etc.
- A variety of fruits – apple slices, plums, raspberries, grapes, strawberries, grapes, blackberries, blueberries, pears, peaches, mandarin oranges etc.
- A variety of cheese slices, cubes and salami or prosciutto wrapped cheese
- Skewers made from cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese and basil or a similar combination of vegetables/dairy that accommodates the guests you will be serving.
For dessert boards, I arrange a selection of the following ingredients:
- Sweet options like toasted coconut, candied nuts, chocolates, mandarin orange sections, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, dried fruit (pineapple or cherries), chocolate covered nuts/fruit, favorite bite size candy (even holiday themed candy is a fun option)
- Cookies or bars – pick some of your favorites that don’t fall apart easily (oatmeal, gingersnaps, graham crackers, macarons, shortbread both plain or dipped in chocolate, chocolate chip, peanut butter, tea cookies, lemon bars etc.)
When preparing a charcuterie board in advance, make sure to arrange shelf stable items first. As the start time of your event approaches, layer in your perishable items. Another trick to keeping fresh food items (like vegetables and fruits) looking their best, is to carefully cover them with damp paper towels before your event starts. Make sure you arrange toothpicks, tongs, small plates, and cocktail napkins around your board to make it easy for guests to sample the variety of options offered.
In the past, we have created some grand spreads for bigger gatherings that utilize this process. We were fearful that the charcuterie board would no longer be a viable option in a post Covid-19 social environment. However, after a little creative thinking, we realized that we could modify this presentation. We adjusted this single-board style and created several smaller individual or “family bubble” charcuterie boards for outdoor gatherings.
We do think about the day when we will have a large group of family and friends gather. We are certain that we will make some form of a charcuterie board for that occasion. Whether they are large table-length presentations or simple individual boards, the charcuterie style is one of our favorite ways to present food.
