How to build The ultimate charcuterie board

Do you ever get hungry, but aren’t sure what to eat? Or maybe you crave variety with a little bit of sweet and a little bit of salty? Well look no further! Charcuterie boards are absolutely a main course / complete meal (don’t let anyone tell you differently). Plus, you can exercise some creativity, omit foods that aren’t to your liking, and there are no wrong decisions with what to include! I like to get together with my friends and have some b̶o̶t̶t̶l̶e̶s̶  glasses of wine while indulging on these healthy (and beautiful) snacks. Throw in some garbage reality tv and you’ve got yourself a night! If you’re looking for something to bring to a fancier gathering, this is a quick option that is aesthetically pleasing. You can feel like Martha Stewart in your own home with this crowd pleaser!

So what are some of my tips and tricks?

Step 1: The Sauces: I like one preserve, cream dip and then honey.

You can get creative with your flavours and support local too! The preserve you see in this pic is a Yellow Plum with Turmeric & Chile from Langley, BC from Preservatory. For a cream dip my

Dill Tartar Sauce would go perfect here. Hummus is also another great spread!

Step 2: Your Base: This your crackers or baguette. Again variety is key. I go with 2-3 different varieties. My favorites are the Lesley Stowe Raincoast Crisps or La Panzanella Groccantini artisan crackers. Sliced sourdough from Sidewalk Citizen is my other go to!

Step 3: The Cheeses: I always put my soft cheese in the middle and hard cheeses on the outside edges of the board as the hard ones don’t fall apart as easily. If you’re local to Calgary, you CANNOT go wrong with hitting up Spring Bank Cheese for all your charcuterie needs. 

Step 4: The Meats: Prosciutto is a must and harder firmer meat like sliced strolghino. My local fav is VDG Salami which is entirely 100% Alberta made.

Step 5: Your Veggies: I love anything picked.  Picked veggies like carrots, asparagus or beans are my go to’s. Thinly sliced cucumber rolled up, peppers and sliced tomatoes are also good options. Make sure you slice those baby tomatoes because it is much easier to add it to your cracker base.

Step 6: Your Fruits: Raspberries, blackberries, plums, grapes and strawberries fit very well onto your board, sliced apples or pears are also good options. 

Step 7: The Fillers: Olives, dried fruit, dates, chocolate covered pomegranate, almonds or nuts are where you are going to fill your little holes at the end. 

Step 8: Garnish: I added springs of mint or dill, or little flowers from your garden work well for the pretty factor. 

Step 9: Tools: Hit up your local Home Sense for us Canadians or Target for you Americans for pretty little cheese knives and little wooden spoons for the aesthetic. 

Step 10: Drinks: My lavender lemonade or green tea lemonade or a bottle of you favourite sparkling rose goes along great with your board.

There you have it! Move through steps 1 - 10 and you will have yourself the ultimate charcuterie board for your next get together!