Creating The Perfect Cheese Charcuterie Board

Charcuterie boards are a delicious and visually appealing way to serve a variety of meats, cheeses, fruits, crackers, dips, and more. The term charcuterie is derived from the French words chair (meat) and cuit (cooked), and it used to refer specifically to pork products. Today, charcuterie boards are a popular appetiser or snack, offering a range of flavours and textures to impress your guests.

Meats: cured meats, such as salami, prosciutto, chorizo, and sopressata

Cured meats are a staple of any charcuterie board. Salami, prosciutto, chorizo, and sopressata are all excellent choices for your board, each offering its own unique flavour and texture. Salami is a must-have on any charcuterie board due to its wide variety. Prosciutto, being very thin, can be elegantly draped or folded on the board. Chorizo, on the other hand, can be sliced into coins or folded in half. Sopressata is another Italian dry salami that can be added to the board.

When selecting cured meats for your charcuterie board, aim for a variety of flavours and textures to create a well-rounded and appealing spread. Consider including some of the aforementioned options, as well as other cured meats such as peppered salami, Nola salami, Spanish-style chorizo, or Genoa salami. By offering a diverse selection, you can cater to different tastes and create interesting flavour combinations for your guests to enjoy.

In addition to the cured meats, remember to include accompaniments such as olives, pickles, nuts, fruits, crackers, and bread to enhance the overall presentation and flavour profile of your charcuterie board.

Cheeses: a mix of soft, hard, and firm cheeses, like brie, camembert, cheddar, and gouda

When creating a charcuterie board, it's important to include a variety of cheeses with different textures and flavours to provide balance and interest. Here are some tips and suggestions for creating a cheese charcuterie board with a mix of soft, hard, and firm cheeses, such as brie, camembert, cheddar, and gouda:

Selecting the Cheeses

Choose a variety of cheeses that will offer a range of tastes and textures. For soft cheeses, options like brie, camembert, and burrata are excellent choices. These cheeses are creamy and spreadable, adding a rich dimension to your charcuterie board. If you want to include a soft and crumbly cheese, consider goat cheese or feta cheese.

For hard cheeses, cheddar is a popular option, and you can go for aged cheddar to add a sharper flavour. Gouda is another versatile choice that can be enjoyed in its aged form or smoked variety. Manchego, a firm, buttery cheese from Spain, is also a delightful addition to any charcuterie board. It pairs beautifully with figs, crusty bread, almonds, and prosciutto.

If you want a mix of soft and hard cheeses from the same family, consider offering both regular and smoked mozzarella.

Preparing the Cheeses

When preparing the cheeses, it's essential to make them finger-food friendly. Cut the firm cheeses into thin slices or bite-sized cubes so that your guests can easily pick them up. For soft cheeses, provide small butter knives or cheese knives to spread them on crackers or bread.

Arranging the Cheeses on the Board

When arranging the cheeses on the charcuterie board, place them as far apart as possible to leave room for other ingredients. You can create a visually appealing display by alternating the cheeses with meats, fruits, crackers, or other accompaniments. This way, you fill up all the spaces and create a full and abundant board.

Pairing the Cheeses

When selecting cheeses for your charcuterie board, consider the wine you'll be serving. Different wines pair well with specific cheeses:

• Malbec (with chocolate tones) goes well with sharp aged cheddar and aged Manchego.
• Shiraz (with cocoa and dark fruit flavours) is a good match for aged Jack and smoked gouda.
• Chardonnay (with clean, crisp fruit flavours) pairs beautifully with brie.
• Sauvignon Blanc (with citrus notes) is excellent with soft cheeses like mozzarella, burrata, or cream cheese, as well as firm cheeses like Gruyere.
• Pinot Noir (light to medium-bodied) is a good choice for Manchego and fresh sheep's milk cheese.
• Cabernet pairs well with cheddar, smoked gouda, and sharp cheeses like Irish Dubliner.

Additionally, consider pairing your cheeses with the cured meats on the board. For example, prosciutto goes well with melon, and salami can be wrapped around fruit slices or breadsticks.

Fruits: fresh and dried fruits, including grapes, berries, apples, and apricots

Fruits are an essential component of a well-rounded charcuterie board, offering a burst of freshness and sweetness to balance the savoury meats and cheeses. When selecting fruits for your charcuterie board, opt for a mix of fresh and dried fruits to create a variety of textures and flavours.

Fresh fruits are a delightful addition, providing a juicy and vibrant touch to the board. Popular choices include grapes, which can be left whole or still on the vine for a whimsical touch. Apples and pears, cut into slices or wedges, add a crisp and refreshing flavour. For a touch of exotic sweetness, include fruits like pineapple, mango, and kiwi. Berries such as blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries are also excellent choices, providing a burst of colour and a convenient bite-sized option.

Dried fruits such as apricots, cranberries, raisins, and cherries are also great for charcuterie boards. They offer a concentrated burst of flavour and a chewy texture that pairs well with the other components on the board. Dried fruits can also add a pop of colour, especially when used in combination with fresh fruits. For instance, dried apricots or cranberries can be paired with fresh apples or pears.

When arranging the fruits on your charcuterie board, consider creating small bowls or piles of nuts and dips to add depth and variety. Place the larger fruits, such as citrus fruits or pineapple slices, first, and then fill in the gaps with the smaller fruits and cheeses. Garnish with fresh herbs or additional sweet treats like honey or chocolate-covered nuts to create a visually appealing and delicious charcuterie board.

Crackers and Bread: sliced baguette, breadsticks, and crackers

Crackers and bread are essential components of a charcuterie board, providing the perfect vehicle for piling on the delicious meats and cheeses. When it comes to crackers, variety is key. Choose crackers of different sizes, textures, and flavours to complement the other items on your board. Plain crackers are generally preferred, as strongly flavoured crackers can overpower the taste of the cheese. Some good options include rosemary crackers, raincoast crisps, and whole-wheat crackers. For a more gourmet option, opt for crackers with sweet and nutty notes.

Breadsticks and sliced baguette are also excellent choices for a charcuterie board. A crusty French baguette, sliced into pieces, offers the perfect portion size for guests to enjoy. If you're feeling creative, you can even wrap the baguette slices with thin slices of prosciutto or other cured meats for a unique twist.

When arranging your crackers and bread on the board, fan them out to create a visually appealing display. Place them around the board, filling in the gaps between the cheeses and meats. This will give your charcuterie board a full and abundant look.

Remember to serve your crackers and bread with small dishes of dips or spreads, such as hummus, tapenade, or honey. These accompaniments will elevate your charcuterie board and provide a variety of flavours for your guests to enjoy.

Extras: dips, pickles, olives, nuts, and dark chocolate

Extras are an important part of a charcuterie board, adding flavour, texture, and colour. Here are some ideas for dips, pickles, olives, nuts, and dark chocolate to take your charcuterie board to the next level:

Dips

Dips and spreads can add flavour and variety to your charcuterie board. Some options include hummus, tapenade, whole-grain mustard, ranch, and balsamic dip. You can also get creative and make your own dips, such as a blueberry compote to pair with goat cheese, or a caramelised onion jam to pair with triple cream cheese. Honey can also be considered a dip, especially when paired with strong cheeses like blue cheese or gorgonzola.

Pickles

Pickles are an essential element of a great charcuterie board, providing a contrast in flavour and texture to the rich, salty, and savoury flavours of cured meats and cheeses. Classic pickles to include are cornichons, which pair well with salami, prosciutto, and creamy cheeses like brie and camembert. Other options are dill pickles, which go well with cured deli meats and sharp cheddar, and bread and butter pickles, which complement camembert, cheddar, and goat cheeses. You can also get creative with pickled fruits and vegetables, such as pickled garlic, beets, or berries.

Olives

Olives are a popular addition to charcuterie boards, offering a briny, savoury flavour. Some options include Sicilian-style, Tuscan table olives, green pitted table olives, and organic black unpitted table olives. Castelvetrano and Cerignola olives are mild green olives that are less intimidating to those who don't typically enjoy olives. Olive tapenade is also a great option to include.

Nuts

Nuts provide texture and flavour to a charcuterie board. Some options include raw walnuts, especially when paired with blue cheese and honey, and roasted salted Marcona almonds, which go well with fig jam and cheese. Other options include pistachios, cashews, pecans, and honey-roasted peanuts. Candied or flavoured nuts can also add a unique touch, especially if your board is on the simpler side.

Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate is a surprising but delicious addition to a charcuterie board. The key to pairing chocolate with cheese is contrast. For example, try pairing a creamy soft cheese with a chocolate that has nibs or crunchy sea salt. When choosing your chocolate, opt for high-quality, high-cocoa content chocolate to stand up to the strong flavour of the cheese. Some specific pairings to try are aged gouda with coffee-flavoured chocolate, and aged goat milk cheese with chocolate that has a touch of salt.

Frequently asked questions