Tips for Creating the Perfect Charcuterie Board
A well-presented charcuterie board can go a long way to impress your guests. The combination of delicious cured meats, cheeses and accompaniments never fails to delight on any occasion. We have some tips that can help you to create the perfect charcuterie board.
Choose a good size board
Presentation is very important when making a charcuterie board, so choosing the right size board is essential. A classic single-serving board is a good choice if you're creating individual boards. However, many people like to serve grand charcuterie boards that spread across the entire table. Think about how many people you’re catering for, and choose a board that will provide enough food for all of your guests. If you can’t find a specific charcuterie board, a chopping board that’s in good condition will work perfectly well. On some occasions, you might need to spread the food over two or three boards; for consistency, choose boards of the same style.
Use a variety of textures
If you only serve hard meats and cheeses, your charcuterie board might appeal to only some of your guests. Try to vary the textures used and opt for a mixture of hard and soft cheeses and meats in different forms, such as pate or mousse. This variety will look great on your board and should give everyone something to enjoy, regardless of their preferences.
Add in accompaniments
Charcuterie boards don’t need to be exclusively meat and cheese; it's also good to add additional accompaniments to go along with the dish. Bread and crackers are great for serving with meats and cheese, and they can help bulk up the meal. In addition to bread and crackers, you can also add nuts, salad, pickles, chutneys, fruits and more to your charcuterie board. The refreshing taste of fruits and vegetables works really well when combined with rich, salty meats and cheeses. By serving a mix of flavours, guests will have more choices to create the flavour combinations they enjoy the most.
Knives and serving equipment
Where possible, you’ll want to stop your guests from using their hands to serve themselves. This can put other guests off and spread germs and bacteria. Make sure you have the right serving apparatus for everything on the board. If you’re serving a large board, having a few different cheese knives and serving tongues is better, so guests don’t have to wait to use the serving equipment. You won't have the same issue if you serve individual charcuterie boards to your guests.
Order a charcuterie board
Buying all the elements to make a luxury charcuterie board can be a lot of effort. If you want an easier way to do things, you could order one from a restaurant or caterer. They may have set boards they can offer, or some caterers will be happy to create a unique board for your event. If you use a professional caterer that has all of the equipment and serving items you need, you can ask to borrow these as part of the deal. It's worth taking a look at what catering options you have in your local area; you might find the perfect thing you need without needing to go to all the effort yourself.
Serve wine
A charcuterie board experience isn’t complete without a drink to accompany the meal. Wine is a great choice for pairing with a charcuterie board. There is no one particular wine that works well, as charcuterie boards have many different flavours. When choosing wines opt for a variety of white, red and sparkling wines; this will give you the best chance of ensuring your guests are happy.
Charcuterie boards combine many different items to create a delicious dining experience. When sourcing items for your board, choose a variety of flavours and textures, don’t just go for the things you enjoy the most. Having many options available for all your guests is the key to the best boards. If you’re in doubt or struggling with time, you can ask a caterer to create a perfect charcuterie board that you can serve at your event. A good tip is to always keep extra items in the fridge that you can add to the board in case things run out before all of your guests have had a chance to try them.