Charcuterie Boards are super fascinating to me because they look beautiful no matter how you fix them up. Any season is the perfect season to enjoy fresh, colorful and vibrant food platters.
So what are Charcuterie boards? They are a French style appetizer arrangement that can be a mix of things. This is a type of dish that you’ll usually pair with a glass of wine.
These boards are great when hosting a dinner party, picnics, brunch, birthdays, you name it these boards are prefect for every occasion. I personally love to make these boards with holiday themes or “just because” I want to create one.
There are different rules when it comes to creating a charcuterie board like the 3-3-3-3 rule where you include three cheeses, three meats, three breads and crackers. I’ve also seen this rule but with 4-4-4-4. I personally feel that you should create in your own way.
One of the key ways to get creative when it comes to your board is color and playing with flavor. These things will help to create a beautiful and dinner worthy board. Include a mixture of items something a little sweet a little savory, or a little saucy. However you choose.
One thing that I have to have when I make my board is fruit because they pair well with cheese.
The charcuterie board in the photo above is one that I made recently. I love sushi and I wanted to incorporate not only sushi, but also chips and salsa. We also purchased a baguette that we toasted and cut.
Here is how I prepared the Charcuterie Board shown above along with the items that I used.
How to Prepare Baguette Slices
- Preheat the oven at 350 F
- You can either buy precut baguette slices or buy the baguette whole and slice the bread.
- You can drizzle the crostini slices with olive oil but personal like to also drizzle vinaigrette. Afterwards season with a little salt and pepper.
- Bake in the over for about 10 minutes and once halfway until a little brown. Set aside to cool.
How to Assemble Your Charcuterie Board
Step 1 – Always place your dip in the center area of the board
This will be the anchor for your board so you will know where to place to your other items. Consider different different types of jam such as fig jam, pesto, artichoke dips, perhaps tangy mustard etc.
Step 2 – Arrange fruits and meats
Start arranging you fruits, vegetables and meats the around your dip dish. Work around the broad like a clock. Splash colors in the center of your board to make it pop.
Step 3 – Arrange starches
The starch as what will hold the Charcuterie board together. Starches such as crackers (similar to Ritz crackers), baguette slices or crostini. Keep it sweet and simple.
Items I used for my Sushi Board
- One baguette (toasted and sliced)
- Pre-made sushi
- Strawberries
- Honey glazed nuts
- Cubed swiss cheese
- Tostitos hint of guacamole chips
- Chunky mango salsa
- Pre-packaged smoked salmon
- Pre-packaged prosciutto
- Thin crackers of your choice
Presentation Tips
When you’ve chosen your ingredients, arrange them with diversity in mind. Think about how you would like to fold your meat, or fan out your different cheeses or perhaps scatter out your fruits and nuts for color. Thinking about it in a the same fashion as decorating for a party. Make your Charcuterie board alive and inviting.