Steps for the Perfect 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 Sauce Hat Trick: I like one preserve, one 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 the Preservatory in Langley, BC. 

For a cream dip my Dill Tartar Sauce would go perfect here.  Hummus is also another great spread!

Step 2: The Base: This is your cracker  or baguette arrangement. 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 another 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. 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 I like to include a harder firmer meat like sliced strolghino. My local fav is VDG Salami which is entirely 100% Alberta made.

Step 5: The Veggies: I love anything pickled.  Pickled veggies like carrots, asparagus, or beans are my preference. If you don’t like salty and briny deliciousness,  thinly sliced cucumber (rolled up for a fancier look), bell peppers, or sliced cherry tomatoes are also good options. Make sure you slice those cherry tomatoes because it is much easier to add it to your cracker base than a round one, subject to roll away!

Step 6: The Fruits: Raspberries, blackberries, plums, grapes, and strawberries fit very well onto your board and add a bit of color, and 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. These aren’t the stars of the shoe, but can add a flavour dimension not covered by any of the above choices. You can always ditch the nuts if allergies are a concern.

Step 8: The Garnish: I added sprigs of mint or dill, or little flowers from my garden to finish the presentation - a pretty board sparks conversation! Just make sure you remind some of your friends (you know which ones) not to eat the flowers. 

Step 9: The Tools: Hit up your local Home Sense (for us Canadians) or Target (for you Americans) for budget-friendly  little cheese knives and little wooden spoons for the aesthetic. Don’t ruin all of your hard work with your kids' Fisher-Price cutlery.

Step 10: The Drinks: My lavender lemonade or green tea lemonade or a bottle of your favourite sparkling rosé goes along great with your board. Heck, even cheap beer will do - the board can hold its own as the star of the show!

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