A Family Tradition Turned Business
Many of us have fond memories of making charcuterie boards with our families for Sunday dinners and special occasions. For me, this tradition held a deep connection to my Italian roots and a shared love for good food. Little did I know that what started as a family tradition would evolve into a full-time business, crafting and selling charcuterie boards and tables.

As I shared my creations on Instagram, something magical happened. Requests began to pour in from friends, family, and even strangers who wanted to experience the joy and beauty of these edible works of art. What was once a family tradition became a livelihood, proving that passion and creativity can lead to unexpected and delicious opportunities. It gave me the courage to leave the corporate world behind and give my creative side a chance to finally shine through the art of charcuterie.

Wtf is charcuterie and how do i pronounce it?!?
Charcuterie (pronounced “shahr-koo-tuh-ree”): A captivating culinary art form originating from France, encompassing the preparation and preservation of meats, often through curing, salting, and smoking techniques. So, if someone is referring to just CHARCUTERIE then they typically are just talking about only the cured meats(or in America as we refer to as deli-meats, such as proscuitto, salami, etc)

However, in todays world when you hear Charcuterie, it typically represents an elegant assembly of meats, cheeses, condiments, and accompaniments, beautifully arranged on a wood board or platter for sharing and savoring.

Charcuterie, a delightful marriage of flavors and textures, offers a mesmerizing way to do just that. In this beginner’s guide, we’ll delve into the captivating world of charcuterie, explore its origins, and introduce you to various styles, including Italian antipasto, vegan and meze options.

More than just an appetizer, charcuterie is a form of art and meditation—an opportunity to pour love and good creative energy into your creations.

Before we dive into the practical steps of assembling the perfect charcuterie board, consider this: Charcuterie is not just about satisfying your taste buds; it’s about having fun with your food.

Think of it as an artistic endeavor where your imagination is your only limit. Take inspiration from charcuterie boards you’ve seen on my boards page or others online, but let your own creative spirit take the reins. It can be a meticulous and time-consuming process, but, if you immerse yourself in it, you might find that crafting a charcuterie board can be as enjoyable as savoring one. Everything in life is what you make it. If you slow down, and enjoy and trust the process, you might just surprise yourself with the outcomes 🙂

Building Your Perfect Charcuterie Board: Step by Step
Step 1: Choose Your bases
Start with a clean, spacious board or platter as your canvas. Wooden boards, marble slabs, or even slate tiles work beautifully. The size of your board will depend on the number of guests you plan to serve. If its a really large gathering you can consider putting some parchment or food safe paper down on your counters or a folding table and make your own grazing table(pictures below).

Pick out some tiny ramekins to add the spreads and marinted veggies such as olives, artichokes etc..

Start to try and place them where you want on the board to start. You can always re-arrange if you dont like it later, once you start adding the other ingredients

Step 2: Select Your Cheeses
Begin by choosing a variety of hard and soft cheeses for contrasting textures and flavors. Here are some classic options:

Hard Cheeses: Cheddar, Gouda, Manchego, and Parmesan.

Soft Cheeses: Brie, Camembert, and Goat Cheese.

Aim for about 2-3 ounces of cheese per person. If you have a large crowd, opt for more variety and quantity.

Step 3: Pick Your Meats
Select an assortment of cured meats, such as prosciutto, salami, and chorizo. Visit your local deli for the freshest cuts.

Plan for around 2-3 ounces of meat per person. Consider different textures and flavors when choosing your meats.

SKIP THIS STEP FOR VEGETARIAN CHEESE BOARDS

Step 4: Add Condiments and Spreads
Enhance your board with a variety of condiments and spreads. Here are some favorites:

Honey: Adds sweetness and pairs wonderfully with cheeses.

Dijon Mustard: A classic accompaniment for meats.

Fig Jam: A sweet and savory bridge between flavors.

Olive Tapenade: A flavorful spread that complements both cheeses and meats.

Step 5: Embrace the Accoutrements
Fill in the gaps with a medley of accoutrements to enhance the board’s visual and flavor appeal. These can include:

Olives: Offer a mix of green and black olives, stuffed or plain.

Pickles: Cornichons, gherkins, or pickled onions are excellent choices.

Roasted Nuts: Almonds, walnuts, or cashews add a satisfying crunch.

Fresh and Dried Fruits: Grapes, figs, and apple slices provide sweetness.

Fresh Herbs: Garnish with sprigs of fresh rosemary, thyme, or basil for a fragrant touch.

Step 6: Bread and Crackers
Offer a variety of bread and crackers as the foundation of your board. Include:

Baguette slices: Classic and rustic.

Crostinis: Toasted and versatile.

Sourdough or Italian or French Breads.

Assorted shape and taste crackers such as caramazlied onion crackers, multigrain rounds, and some flax seed rosemary crackers.

Gluten-free options: Consider your guests’ dietary preferences.

For events, often times I will keep the bread and crackers displayed pretty on the side right next to the board and not directly on the board to ensure optimal freshness and that none of the crackers or bread get soggy touching the greesy meats, cheeses or spread on the board. For smaller individual boards that are eaten right away, you can see I will add some on, it really just depends on the vibe and your personal preference.

Step 7: Arrange Artfully
Arrange your items in a visually appealing manner. Let your creativity flow as you create a beautiful and enticing spread:

Create a “salami river” by folding slices of salami into accordion shapes.

Fold prosciutto into delicate ribbons or roses for an elegant touch.

Organize cheeses and meats in clusters or a circular pattern.

Place bowls or ramekins with condiments strategically around the board.

Consider using small cheese markers to label your cheeses. Add Cheese Knives on correct cheese to guiude guests, and leave some extras on the side around the board, along with extra forks and tongs to grab the cheeses and smaller items with.

Be sure to have some designated spoons or mini spoons in each spread so guests can scoop on their plates and easily serve themselves while keeping the spread of germs to a minimum.

Try to space out ingredients of the same colors when placing items on the board. This can be tough as alot of cheeses are the same colors and same with the meats..its OK if you can’t always space them out perfectly. You can separate with the accoutrements such as colorful fruits or nuts. Or my favorite is to add contrast in the end with some fresh herbs or edble flowers as garnishes..see next step for more on this.

Step 8: Garnish!!
This is one of my FAVORITE parts and makes the world of a difference in appearance. This last step can transform an OK looking board into an absolute showstopper.

As you put the finishing touches on your charcuterie masterpiece, don’t forget to add a final flourish of elegance. Fresh herbs like rosemary, sage or thyme infuse your board with fragrant aromas, while edible flowers offer a touch of natural beauty. These delicate garnishes elevate your charcuterie creation, making it a feast for the eyes as well as the palate. Let your artistic spirit shine as you adorn your board with these final, enchanting details.

Tips and Tricks for Success:
Be sure to have lots of little plates, napkins and forks for guests. Bonus if you can have little spoons and knives also to help spread toppings on crackers and cut cheeses smaller so your guests can experiment to make their own perfect bites.

Consider your guest count when portioning cheeses and meats.

Pick ingredients that people in YOUR household enjoy for the accoutrements spreads so that none go to waste. For example…use Strawberry Jam as a spread if you like that instead of fig because you’ll only need a few ounces for the board but you’ll have to buy a whole jar of it. So, to avoid food waste and keep the cost of the board down think of your guests, but also think of your likes. That way you can use that strawberry jam for toast the next few weeks or make a salad dressing from it. Same goes for the olives, peppers etc…you’ll only need about half the jar most times depending on guest count, so pick black olives if thats what you like then use the other half to make a pasta salad the next day..

Always remember that you can freeze any of the bread, crackers, fruit or other ingredients that you may only use half of.

Consider getting some mini jars of what you need instead of regular sized ones from the grocery store. I love World Market’s mini section to find mini honey, spreads, olive packages etc to try and make to-go boards or boards on a budget .

Use small bowls or ramekins for condiments and spreads. Its more visually appealing this way and it also keeps ingredients from leaking into one another and messing with the texture and flavors.

Incorporate visually striking elements like edible flowers or colorful fruits.

Experiment with different shapes and textures to make your board visually enticing.

Use different cookie cutters to help cut cheese and meats into your favorite shapes or numbers or letters to make any board extra festive and fir your party theme.

A Pause and a Promise
Life sometimes takes unexpected turns, and for me, one such turn was a pause in my beloved business. A concussion from fainting, attributed to the lingering effects of long COVID, forced me to step back temporarily. But this tragic moment forced me to look deep within and find my true calling which is rooted deep in nature and plant medicine. I am forever grateful for this time in my life and all of my amazing customers I met along the way, who trusted me to provide the goods(aka food) for their most special events. I thought I would be making boards for years, when I look back at my old 5, 10 year plans I had big goals for that business, and I had to mourn those plans, and that former life that I loved and held on to so dearly. God had other plans in store for me, and I am forever grateful for my joruney and all the struggles I encountered lead me to this point now where I can finally put pen to paper and share my Recipes, tips, and tricks with you all. Things that I always wish I had the time to do before, but I was always fufilling orders and just trying to stay afloat. I knew I had to make the most out of this time stuck hurting at home. I was guided by spirit to start writing everything down and even if it took months, years to get out, that it was part of my mission here to share my Recipes and gifts with the world. So thank you for stopping by and listening to my journey. Although I have decided to leave my charcuterie business in the past, I look forward to continuing to share my tradition and passion for boards with you. through Recipes, step-by-step guides, videos, and tips, I hope to empower you to create the magic of boards in your own home. Together, we can tap into your creative side while enjoying an elegant and delicious spread that brings people together.

Your Journey Begins

So, my dear charcuterie enthusiasts, I invite you to get inspired and try your hand at crafting your very own charcuterie masterpiece. It’s not just about the end result; it’s about the journey of creation, the artistry in arranging ingredients, and the joy of sharing your creation with others. Your charcuterie board is a canvas, and the flavors are your paintbrushes.

Whether you’re preparing for a grand event or simply indulging in some self-care with an individual board for GIRL DINNER, let your creative energy flow. Embrace the joy, the tradition, and the art of charcuterie. May your boards be as beautiful as they are delicious, and may they become a cherished part of your culinary journey. Remember to always ENJOY THE JOURNEY 🙂