The Secret to Beautiful Charcuterie
Up until a few months ago charcuterie boards terrified me. I thought there was some big, hidden secret to creating the most aesthetically pleasing board, and I was worried that I wouldn’t buy the right things or that my arrangement would end up looking like a confused heap that I couldn’t figure out how to eat. It was boredom that finally made me take the leap to creating my first board and let me tell ya, I had a great time designing it! I realized that the secret to making beautiful charcuterie is that you just have to have fun with it! You only need a few kitchen items partnered with imagination and the appetite to eat all of the deliciousness you are about to create!
Here is why creating a charcuterie board is fun, creative and not at all as terrifying as I once thought:
Shakes things up - Making a charcuterie board is a fun way to mix up weekend dinner plans or to set the vibes for an outdoor picnic!
Doesn’t have to be fancy or overkill - You don’t have to go out and spend a fortune on board items. Look in your fridge/pantry for what you might already have: nuts, salami, dried fruit, grapes, cheese, hummus & veggies.
Add your own touch - My own staple boards are a mix of my Mediterranean heritage, so you can count on me using a beautiful cedar tray, olives, hummus and a caprese salad. So, add your own spark of flare!
Charcuterie Ideas:
Fruit & goat cheese board: grapes, goat cheese drizzled in honey or your favorite jam, variety of nuts, wheat crackers & orange juice topped with a fresh sprig of mint.
Salami board- peppered salami, sliced tomatoes with mozzarella & fresh basil with a vinegar drizzle, hummus, kalamata olives & flat pretzels.
Movie Night board - popcorn, M&M’s, Sour Punch Straws & trail mix
*Tip: Arrange the boards into sections. Set any dips in a separate bowl and place it off to the side or in the middle of the board. Trail the rest of the items around it and then set out to serve and enjoy!
There you have it, friends, the secret to making beautiful charcuterie is by letting YOUR beautiful spill out and inspire it! If any of you, dear readers, decide to add some charcuterie magic to your weekend snap a picture of your creation, post it on your social media and be sure to tag @kaleighccastle! Have fun!
Xoxo,
from this little house wife,
Kaleigh