The Ultimate Charcuterie Board
A party without a charcuterie board is just a meeting. The beauty of a sophisticated meat and cheese platter is it’s inexpensive, it feeds a ton of guests, and it shows your artistic side. The board is also covered in delicious cheese so, you can’t go wrong with that. If you plan on being the host with the most this summer, try these tips and have guests raving about your shindig in the years to come.
Variety
A decadent cheese platter incorporates a wide range. A great tip to follow is to place each significant type of cheese in a clockwise view, range them from the softest to the hardest. A real connoisseur will want to try each one (no judgment here). Take them on a journey.
Lead by example
Of course, if you are hosting a party, you do not have the time to hover over the cheeseboard and make sure everyone is doing what you want them to do. Leading by example, means you pre-cut a few slices or squares according to how the cheese is supposed to be rationed. When guests see that the circular round of cheese is supposed to be cut like pizza slices, they will be more prone to continue slicing in the example you have set as opposed to doing their own thing.
Add color
Your cheese color scheme will most likely be white, orange, and sometimes blue. Mix it up and add vibrant red strawberries, or juicy green grapes. These components won’t bother or harm each other in any way. In fact, fruit can enhance the flavor of certain cheeses.
Meat and greet
The perfect component to the sweet, salty, savory trifecta is meat. Chorizo, pepperoni, prosciutto ham, give your guests a few options. This is where they can get creative and pair a creamy cheese with salty meat of their choosing. Keep it clean and keep it fresh like a giant sophisticated lunchable.
Odds and evens
You want to keep your charcuterie board odd by having elements that are not symmetrical. Place your significant cheese components down first, then fill in the surrounding areas fruit, crackers, and meat. It’s perfectly fine to have an imperfect board. Make your guests’ eyes dance around at all the options.
You want an even amount and distribution throughout the board. Try not to have a full-sized gouda wheel to the left and parmesan crumbles on the right. Incorporate an even amount of everything in place on your board. With this concept in mind, you as the host do not have to worry about continuously replenishing items. Just know, if it is a particularly delicious item, you might want to double up at the store or have extras ready to refill your platter from a secondary location.
Spread the love
Do your thing, and do not be afraid to add a spicy jam or complimentary honey in a side bowl. You could be the reason someone tries a new element and falls absolutely in love. Have you ever tried crouton toast with blue cheese crumbles and organic clover honey? Well, let me tell you it is absolutely delicious, and I never would have known that unless those three items were placed on a previous board I’ve witnessed. The more options you display, the more fun your guests can have.
A charcuterie board is an amazing start to fun-filled time with family and friends. It’s exciting, beautiful, and most importantly, delicious. Take your sweet liberty and give them something to talk about after your next bash.
