Patrick Oconnell
Charcuterie boards are a great way to serve a variety of meats, cheeses, and accompaniments. They can be easily customised to fit any occasion or dietary preference. When choosing meats and cheeses, it's important to select a variety of textures and flavours to provide balance and interest. Some popular options for meats include cured meats like prosciutto, salami, chorizo, and bresaola, while cheeses can range from soft cheeses like brie and camembert to hard cheeses like cheddar and gouda.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meat | Prosciutto, Salami, Chorizo, Sausage, Bresaola, Bacon, Ham, Terrines, Galantines, Ballotines, Pâtés, Confit, Sausage, Saucisson sec |
| Cheese | Rosemary Toscano, Truffle, Manchego, Pecorino Romano, Mozzarella, Smoked Gouda, Cheddar, Brie, Camembert, Cambozola Blue, Havarti |
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What You'll Learn
Cured meats like prosciutto, salami, and chorizo
Charcuterie boards are a great way to serve a variety of meats, cheeses, and accompaniments. When it comes to cured meats, prosciutto, salami, and chorizo are excellent choices.
Prosciutto is a classic Italian cured ham with a delicate, sweet flavour. It pairs well with a variety of cheeses, such as soft cheeses like brie and camembert, or hard cheeses like cheddar and gouda. Prosciutto is also delicious with fresh fruits like grapes or pear slices, as well as crackers.
Salami is another popular choice for charcuterie boards. Saucisson sec, a classic French version of dried salami seasoned with sea salt, pepper, and garlic, is a favourite. Salami's rich flavour also makes it a great pairing with hard cheeses, olives, and nuts.
Chorizo, a Spanish cured sausage, adds a spicy kick to your charcuterie board. It pairs well with a variety of cheeses, especially those with a strong flavour like manchego or pecorino romano. Chorizo also goes well with crackers, grapes, or other dried fruits.
When assembling your charcuterie board, aim for a variety of textures and flavours to create a balanced and interesting spread. You can also add accompaniments like pickles, olives, or mustard to enhance the flavours of the meats and cheeses.
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Soft cheeses like brie and camembert
When choosing a brie or camembert for your charcuterie board, look for a cheese that is ripe but not overly soft. The rind should be slightly wrinkled, and the cheese should give slightly when pressed. To store your cheese, wrap it in wax paper or cheese paper and keep it in the warmest part of your refrigerator. This will help to preserve the creamy texture and prevent it from drying out.
If you want to get creative, there are many ways to dress up your brie or camembert. Try baking it in a pastry crust, topping it with honey and nuts, or serving it with a side of fruit compote. You can also experiment with different types of brie and camembert, such as double or triple cream brie, which has a higher butterfat content and an even richer, creamier texture.
In addition to brie and camembert, there are other soft cheeses that can add variety to your charcuterie board. For example, you could try a soft goat cheese, such as chèvre, which has a tangy, bright flavour that pairs well with sweet accompaniments. Or, for something more unusual, try a soft blue cheese like cambozola, which combines the creaminess of brie with the sharpness of blue cheese.
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Hard cheeses like cheddar and gouda
Charcuterie boards are a great way to serve a variety of meats, cheeses, and accompaniments. When it comes to hard cheeses like cheddar and gouda, they can be a fantastic addition to your charcuterie board, offering a contrast in textures and flavours.
Cheddar, a classic hard cheese, is a versatile option that pairs well with a variety of meats. Smoked cheddar, in particular, can add a unique flavour profile to your board. Gouda, another popular hard cheese, is also a great choice. Smoked gouda, with its rich, nutty flavour, can be a delightful addition.
When pairing hard cheeses with meats, consider options like prosciutto, a classic Italian cured meat, or bresaola, a lean cured beef with a rich flavour. These meats provide a nice contrast to the texture of hard cheeses. Salami is another excellent choice, especially if you opt for saucisson sec, a classic French version seasoned with sea salt, pepper, and garlic.
To enhance your charcuterie board, consider adding accompaniments such as olives, pickles, nuts, and fresh or dried fruits. Crackers or slices of baguette can also provide a nice base for your cheeses and meats. Remember to choose a variety of textures and flavours to create a well-rounded and visually appealing charcuterie board.
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Lean cured meat, bresaola
Charcuterie boards are a great way to serve a variety of meats, cheeses, and accompaniments. The most important part of a charcuterie board is the selection of meats and cheeses, so it's important to choose a variety of textures and flavours to provide balance and interest.
Bresaola's rich flavour makes it perfect for pairing with hard cheese, olives, and nuts. It is also a great alternative to salami, as it is easy to add and enjoy.
When creating a charcuterie board, it is important to consider the balance of flavours and textures. Bresaola, for example, pairs well with hard cheese, while prosciutto might be better suited to softer cheeses.
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French dried salami, saucisson sec
Charcuterie boards are a great way to serve a variety of meats, cheeses, and accompaniments. When it comes to meat and cheese choices, it's important to offer a range of textures and flavours to create a balanced and interesting board.
French dried salami, or saucisson sec, is a classic choice for a charcuterie board. It is one of the most famous charcuteries in France, seasoned with sea salt, pepper, and garlic. This savoury, spiced salami is best paired with a soft cheese on a slice of baguette.
Saucisson sec is a great option for those who enjoy a more intense, savoury flavour profile. The sea salt and garlic add a savoury depth to the meat, while the pepper provides a subtle kick. This flavour profile pairs well with a variety of soft cheeses, such as brie or camembert.
When building your charcuterie board, consider adding some fresh herbs or a drizzle of honey to complement the savoury notes of the saucisson sec. You could also offer some cornichons or other pickled vegetables on the side, as well as a variety of crackers or toasted baguette slices.
If you're looking for a wine pairing, a light to medium-bodied red, such as a Pinot Noir or Beaujolais, would complement the flavours of the saucisson sec nicely.
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Frequently asked questions
Some good meats to include on a charcuterie board are prosciutto, salami, chorizo, bresaola, bacon, ham, and sausage.
Some good cheeses to include on a charcuterie board are rosemary Toscano, brie, camembert, cheddar, gouda, manchego, pecorino romano, and mozzarella.
Some good accompaniments to include on a charcuterie board are crackers, grapes, pear slices, pickles, olives, nuts, figs, and bread.
A classic French charcuterie meat is saucisson sec, which is seasoned with sea salt, pepper, and garlic.
Bresaola's rich flavour makes it perfect for pairing with hard cheese.
