Good Cheese Always Leads to Good Conversation

If you go on any social media, you will see it everywhere. It’s salty. It’s rich. It’s sweet. It’s crunchy. Any guesses? Of course - it’s a charcuterie board! It seems to be the latest trend, with businesses even popping up that will pre-assemble a board for you. Honestly, who isn’t always in the mood for a good charcuterie plate? There is usually a cured meat of some sort for the carnivores among us, more than one type of cheese just in case you discriminate, possibly a chocolate or fruit and crackers. I mean really, what isn’t to love.

HOWEVER, for your introductory home cook, (or charcuterie board assembler?) the options can be overwhelming. You don’t want to spend a million dollars putting this board together, which is honestly very easy to do when buying meats and cheeses. Below is a breakdown on what to focus on when you put a charcuterie board together and how to make it a winner! Follow these guidelines and you will be the talk of the town! … or at least highly regarded by friends.

Meats

You want to keep this diverse so there is an option for everyone, without blowing your budget. I would recommend going for at least one “fan favorite” cured meat like salami or iberico jamon. These are pretty standard crowd pleaser options. I would also add in a spicy choice - hot soppressata, Mexican chorizo, or ‘Nduja would be good options if you know someone will appreciate a little fiery kick. This is definitely not the popular option (but a favorite of mine) Pâté. This is basically a meat spread, made with other ingredients like spices and onions, but primarily meat and more specifically liver. It has an intense meat flavor, which is GREAT for those who enjoy that. You could have duck, chicken, goose Pâté etc and they are great because it’s easy to spread on a cracker.

Cheeses

Like with the meats, it is important to pick a couple varying options, and this one can really depend on the crowd. If you know for sure your pals are adventurous eaters, then get that stinky cheese! If not you may want to go for something a little lighter. An aged cheddar is always nice to have on the board. A really aged cheddar can be very sharp and a little salty because it will start to crystalize, which is SO good. A warmed up, melty brie can be really nice as well and has a mild flavor that usually works for everyone. Another mild option that I particularly enjoy too is a good Manchego cheese, which has a bit of a sweetness to it. A softer cheese that can be spread on a cracker, like a goat cheese, is great choice for guests who like something a little funky.

Carbs

Unless everyone you know is doing Keto, it is a good idea to supply some sort of “carb” option to pair with everything. This can be sliced and toasted baguette, a crunchy cracker, or Grissini (those thin, super crunchy breadsticks). There are so many types of crackers out there, but some good ones to get would be sea-salted or multigrain. Be careful on not getting an overly-flavored cracker that might detract from the deliciousness of the meats and cheeses.

Extras (accoutrements if you are fancy)

Once you cover the main categories - meat, cheese and crackers, you may want to dress your board up a little with some extras. Something pickled/briny is usually a great idea. This can be those little cocktail pickles, blue cheese stuffed olives (YUM), jarred artichoke hearts, etc. I also like to add in something fresh, usually fruit. Grapes are always great and apples pair nicely with a variety of cheeses. Dried fruit is a nice addition for something even sweeter. Dried mango or pineapple are a great compliment to the salty, savoriness of the meat and cheese. A jelly or jam is wonderful too- fig jam = an absolute winner for a charcuterie board. Paired with a spreadable cheese like goat or brie… oh baby. You can also add something nutty - trail mix, roasted peanuts, pistachios, etc are all good choices. And lastly, some chocolate never hurt anybody. Odds are high that you are drinking wine with this charcuterie board so it just makes sense to toss some chocolate on there.

And that is it! (300 suggested items later) It sounds like a lot, but the more meat and cheese you eat, the more you find out which you prefer and the easier it gets. Plus experimenting by trying new meats and cheeses isn’t the worst way to spend your time. Grab a nice wine (red for me please) and dive into your at home, luxury snack!

P.S. definitely snag a picture of it before you start eating :)