12 Days of Christmas: Charcuterie Board

During the holidays, most great food requires catering or cooking. With some planning, you can put together an excellent snack platter without having to turn on the oven. Impress your friends and family with a simple to assemble charcuterie board!

A charcuterie board is an ensemble of meats, along with other ingredients, artfully laid out on a board or platter. The typical components of a charcuterie board are bread and crackers, cured meat, cheese, sweet, savory, and spread or sauce.

Of course you can buy a pre-crafted charcuterie board, but where’s the fun in that?

When shopping, think about selecting an extra item from a category or two, so you can experiment and see what pairs well together. Pick out what you and your guests like, and maybe try a new item to see if you like it.

Bread, meat, and cheese bring the fat and salt but balance out the palate with sweet and juicy fruits. Enhance flavor profiles and add an element of texture by adding your favorite fruit.

To keep in holiday theme, red and green fruits are a good choice. Apples, berries, and grapes have bright colors in addition to their delicious flavors. For holiday flavors, figs and fresh cranberries are a good choice to add to your board.

For vegan options, cut the meat and cheeses out. Replace them with veggies or legumes like celery, carrots, artichokes, and nuts.

Don’t be afraid to add ingredients not listed here. Give them a try!

Assemble and serve on a large serving platter, maybe arrange the ingredients into a snow man or Christmas tree. Part of the fun of a charcuterie board is mixing and matching things together, visually and through taste.

Combinations are infinite, so try out different flavors and textures with your friends and families over the holidays at the table or at the fireplace!