How to Make an EPIC Charcuterie Board

There's no appetizer that's more epic than a charcuterie board.

Hold that thought.  Not only is charcuterie an amazing appetizer, it's even better as an amazing meal to share on your next date night or family night.

What is charcuterie?

Charcuterie (pronounced shar-coo-ter-ee) is a style of food presentation that historically involved prepared meats.  The loose french translation means "pork butcher shop" and a charcutier is the cook who prepares the meat.  Over time, the term has evolved to include more than just meat.  A modern day charcuterie board is artfully arranged meats, cheeses, breads, spreads, nuts, fruit, and crackers on a serving board or platter.

One of the great things about a charcuterie board is that no two boards are the same!  You can mix up the ingredients every time you prepare a charcuterie.

What meats should I choose for my charcuterie board?

• sausages - cooked and sliced into bite-size pieces
• salamis & pepperonis - the seasoned flavour of these pair well with the cheeses and breads
• jerky - not a traditional charcuterie addition but a pressed jerky pairs well

What do I add to my meat & cheese for my charcuterie?

Spreads & Preserves:

• sweet jams
• spicy mustards
• relishes
• pickles
• pickled radishes or onion slices
• pickled cauliflower

Nuts & Olives:

• almonds
• cashews
• green olives

Fruits:

• grapes
• strawberries
• raspberries
• dried fruit
• apple slices
• cherry tomatoes
• blueberries
• figs

How do I build my board?

• fill small bowls, ramekins, or mason jars with the dips, spreads, and pickled items
• add cubed or sliced cheese and your meats to the board
• if you've got a hot cheese dip or cheese ball, make that a centrepiece on the board
• place sliced baguette & crackers in leaning stacks around the meats, cheeses, and bowls (we love Triscuits for our crackers)
• add fresh and dried fruit, and nuts to fill in gaps around the board

How do I make my charcuterie board memorable?

• think about flavour:  aim for the four elements of sweet, salty, spicy, and savoury
• mix cold cheeses and meats with warm, cooked sausage or cheeses (cream cheese based dip or warmed brie)
• pair a spicy sausage or pepperoni with sweet fruits
• try to include a lot of texture in your selections
• pair your charcuterie with a bottle of wine, a couple of glasses of cider, or craft beer

Can you help me make my next charcuterie board?

Absolutely!  You've come to the right place!

Lazuli Farms has designed the Charcuterie Experience to help you create your next charcuterie board at home!

Learn more about the Charcuterie Experience here!