Building a Beautiful Charcuterie Board
By J. Stein–
Today, charcuterie boards can go on your table or even with just a wine glass! When entertaining this summer, starting out with a charcuterie board filled with delicious meats, cheese, jams, fruits, olives, nuts, vegetables, crackers, and breads can get company talking food and socializing. The presentation on the boards can be as creative as you are and show off your pairing skills. As there is no cooking needed, anyone can make one!
The charcuterie board is the perfect appetizer since no matter what dietary needs a guest has, you can accommodate it without signaling anyone out. Adding more fruits and vegetables keeps the spread low calorie and healthier. Remember, edible flowers can also be added to the board for a pop of color and pizazz! Below are some delicious products to consider placing on your charcuterie board at your next soiree!
Original Blue, by the female owned Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company, has a creamy texture and pleasant peppery finish $45 for 3 wedges. This hand-crafted artisanal cheese pairs well with pears, muscatels, walnuts, and chicken for a combination of complex decadence.
Truffle Brie $40 for 17oz Truffle Brie has a silky texture that uses black summer truffles from the Sabatino family in Umbria, Italy, to create a luxurious taste. It complements hearty breads, chicken, and potatoes for a perfect combination of earthy deliciousness.
Fennel Blue $45 for 15 oz Fennel Blue has a mild blue pithiness with a suggestion of fennel sweetness, while highlighting delicious earthy & umami flavors. Pair this robust cheese with crackers, gin & tonic, or crunchy celery. www.pointreyescheese.com
Rembrandt 12 Month aged Gouda Cheese by A Dutch Masterpiece $6.74. Traditionally ripened for one year, this award-winning extra aged Dutch gouda has a firm texture and a rich tangy flavor. Also look for Frans Hals 6-month aged Goat Cheese $11.99. It has a full-bodied taste and delicate aroma that goes well with meats and fruit. www.adutchmasterpiece.com
Black Truffle Goat Cheese Log by award-winning Laura Chenel $7.29 This is a French-style cheese from the heart of wine country in the USA. The rich, earthy, and tangy creamy goat cheese will pair with meats and nuts on a board from this female owned brand. Also try Laura Chenel’s velvety Soft-Ripened Goat Cheese Creamy Brie, that has hints of mushroom and lemon $10.99. www.laurachenel.com
Cerrato Rojo Semicurado by award winning Quesos Cerrato, has a curing period of no more than 100 days. It has a pasteurized sheep’s and cow’s milk character. Pair it with IPA style beers, fruity young white wines and aged reds. Serve this fragrant & firm cheese, that has sweet nuances, with fruits, vegetables, meats and nuts.
Cerrato Provita by Quesos Cerrato is a lactose-free cheese made from pasteurized cow’s milk and LGG and BB-12 probiotics. Pair it with smooth wheat beers, fruity white wines, and young reds. The buttery aroma makes this lactose-free cheese a good choice to serve with raw vegetables, wheat breads, figs, or dried apricots. www.quesoscerrato.com
Chimichurri Gouda Youngsters by Artikass, a product of the Netherlands, contains garlic, parsley, and cilantro and reminds one of Argentinian-style chimichurri. Pair it with cabernet sauvignon, malbec, or amber ales. Serve this versatile cheese with meats, vegetables, or on top of fries.
Sliced Smoked Gouda by Artikass $11 for 1lb This classic creamy Dutch smoked gouda is subtly smoky, buttery, & smooth. Pair it with a full-bodied ale. Serve with chicken, mushrooms, white breads, and nuts.
Baby Swiss Youngsters by Artikaas $8lb This rich and buttery mild Swiss pairs well with fruity Pinot Grigio. Serve it with meats, rye breads, or grilled veggies. www.Artikaas.com
Lighthouse Keepers Citrus Cinnamon Blueberry Jam $10.99 is a carefully crafted berry flavorful jam that pairs well with cheeses and breads on a charcuterie board or with waffles and pancakes in the morning. Also try their Decadent Fig Jam $10.99 with cheese, apple slices, or poultry. www.lighthousekeeperspantry.com
Smoked Yellow Peach Fruit Spread $15 by Trade Street Jam Co. This Black owned business is as sweet and fresh as it gets! Put their spread on cheese, veggies, or chicken. No pectins, thickeners, preservatives, stabilizers, or extra sugar are used to thicken the delicious spread. www.tradestjamco.com https://x.com/TradeStJamCo
ACORN-FED IBERIAN PORK LOIN SAUSAGE by Marcos Salamanca $71.99 for 1lb This artisanal sausage made from 100% Iberian pork loin with spices that are cured for a minimum of three months in Salamanca, Spain, pair well with cheese and fruit. It has an unmistakable color, spiced flavor, and marbling. www.marcossalamanca.com
Hot Sopressata by Rovagnati $23.95 for 2.5il uses no nitrates of any kind. It has a strong and robust taste due to spices like garlic, paprika, and white pepper. Pair it with Costa d’Amalfi Red Wine and ale. Serve the slices with pizza, cheese, eggplant, or Naan. It also can be stuffed into chicken breasts! Salame Genoa by Rovagnati $6.70 is a mild salami that has white pepper and garlic to flavor it. The salami pairs well with Montalcino Red Wine and ale. Serve it with cheese, tomatoes, or crusty breads. This is the go-to meat on most boards due to the mild taste. www.rovagnati.us
Italian Brick Oven Mortadella by Veroni is made in Italy and sliced in the USA. $6.69 It is authentic, larger diameter Italian Mortadella that is gluten-free, lactose free, with no added phosphates. Slow cooked in a red brick oven, it has a smooth texture with no oily residue. Coppa Italiana by Veroni $3.80lb is made from boneless pork shoulder and is hand-rubbed with spices and slowly aged until it is tender. It has a similar texture to prosciutto with a mild flavor. Go to the Veroni website to see how they create memorable charcuterie boards using their meats. www.veroni.com
Prosciutto Di Parma, a product of Italy by Ferrarini $18.44lb with a delicate flavor, has a minimum curation of 18 months. Three simple ingredients create this classic Italian Parma ham. Pair it with a Pinot Grigio, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Champagne. Serve it with crusty bread, pears, apples, or cheese. www.ferrarini.com
Disco Romano by Sullivan Bakery $6 This rosemary infused round soft, chewy bread with big air pockets is a terrific base for pizza, sandwiches, or on its own. It is light and flat enough to stack on a charcuterie board. It is simply addictive! www.sullivanstreetbakery.com
Almond Flour Salty Date Raincoast Crisps by Lesley Stowe Fine Foods $7.10 Gluten free and flavor full crisps from a female owned company that pair well with cabernet sauvignon, chianti, ale, or a dry Riesling. Serve with applewood smoked cheddar, Colby, Havarti, prosciutto, and soft spreads. They maintain their crispness, so food will not fall on your lap.
Raincoast Crisps Fig and Olive Crackers by Leslie Stowe Fine Foods $6.99 The salty taste of Kalamata olives with the sweet flavor of figs combine well. Serve the crisp crackers with cheddar, camembert, capicola, or chèvre. Pair them with cabernet sauvignon, merlot, India pale ale, or a pilsner. www.lesleystowe.com https://x.com/LesleyStowe
