Meats To Pair With Cheeses On A Charcuterie Board

A charcuterie board, or meat and cheese platter, is a popular appetiser for entertaining guests. The best charcuterie boards include a variety of meats, cheeses, fruits, vegetables, crackers, and condiments. Meats such as salami, prosciutto, and chorizo are popular choices, while cheeses like brie, camembert, and mozzarella are also commonly used. Fruits and vegetables such as grapes, apples, and olives add a refreshing element to the board, while crackers and condiments like honey or jam provide additional texture and flavour. When creating a charcuterie board, it is important to consider taste, texture, and tartness to ensure a well-rounded and delicious appetiser for guests.

Cured meats, such as bacon, salami, and prosciutto, are fatty and flavourful

Cured meats are a delicious addition to any cheese board, and bacon, salami, and prosciutto are some of the most popular choices. These meats are fatty and full of flavour, making them a perfect match for the variety of cheeses typically found on a cheese board.

Bacon is a classic choice for a charcuterie board, and its smoky flavour pairs well with many different types of cheese. Salami, on the other hand, is a crowd-pleaser that is easy on the palate and similar in taste to pepperoni. It is often a popular choice for children. Prosciutto, a dry-cured ham, has a velvety texture and a salty bite that goes well with fruits and cheeses.

When preparing a cheese board with cured meats, it is important to consider the balance of flavours and textures. Cured meats like salami and prosciutto are typically sliced thinly, while bacon can be cut into bite-sized pieces. These meats can be folded or rolled to create interesting shapes on the board.

To enhance the flavour of the cured meats, consider adding some condiments like dijon mustard or honey. Honey, in particular, can add a nice touch of sweetness to balance out the saltiness of the meats.

In addition to the cured meats, a well-rounded cheese board might include some crackers or bread, fresh fruits or vegetables, and a variety of cheeses with different tastes and textures.

So, when creating your next cheese board, be sure to include some fatty, flavourful cured meats like bacon, salami, and prosciutto for a delicious and elegant appetizer.

Choose cheeses with different tastes and textures, like creamy brie or sharp cheddar

When it comes to a meat and cheese board, variety is key. Choosing cheeses with different tastes and textures will elevate your charcuterie board and impress your guests.

Aged cheeses, such as Gouda, Sharp Cheddar, and Gruyere, offer a more intense flavour profile that contrasts nicely with softer, creamier options. Sharp Cheddar, in particular, pairs well with apples, walnuts, and honey, making it a versatile choice for your board.

For those who enjoy milder flavours, Brie or Camembert are excellent choices. Brie, also known as the "Queen of Cheeses," has a light, buttery, and slightly salty taste with a smooth, creamy texture. It pairs well with fruits like green apples, pears, and raspberries, as well as nuts like pecans and cherries. Camembert, on the other hand, has a more rustic taste with earthy and grassy notes. It goes well with dried apricots, fresh strawberries, and chocolate.

If you're looking for something in between, there's Burrata or Fresh Mozzarella. These cheeses are soft and creamy with a mild flavour that pairs well with olive oil, prosciutto, tomatoes, and Italian cured meats.

To add some tanginess to your board, consider adding Blue Cheeses like Gorgonzola or Roquefort. These cheeses have a unique flavour profile that can be loved or hated, so consider your audience when making this choice. Gorgonzola has a buttery and piquant flavour, while Roquefort offers a robust pungency balanced with sweet burnt caramel notes.

For a local favourite, try an English Farmhouse or Irish Cheddar. These semi-firm cheeses have a rich flavour and pair nicely with honey, apples, and nuts.

Lastly, don't be afraid to experiment with different types of cheese and find what works best for your taste buds and those of your guests.

Breads and crackers: opt for plain varieties so they don't overpower the other flavours

Breads and crackers are an essential part of a meat and cheese board. However, it's important to opt for plain varieties so they don't overpower the other flavours.

A sliced baguette is a great option, as it offers the perfect portion size. You can also provide a knife so guests can cut their own slices. Other bread options include Italian bread, olive focaccia, and crusty French bread.

For crackers, choose plain varieties that won't overpower the flavours of the cheese and meat. Examples include crostinis, flatbread crackers, and thinly sliced crackers.

It's a good idea to provide a variety of breads and crackers to cater to different tastes and preferences. You can also offer gluten-free options to accommodate guests with allergies or dietary restrictions.

To elevate your bread, consider providing a bread dip like olive oil with fresh rosemary or garlic.

Remember to arrange the breads and crackers on a large board or platter, leaving enough space for the other items on your meat and cheese board.

Condiments: add something sweet and something sour to cut through the richness of the meats

When creating a meat and cheese board, it's important to include a variety of textures and flavours. To balance out the salty and savoury flavours of the meats and cheeses, you should include something sweet and something sour. Here are some ideas for condiments to add to your board:

Sweet Condiments

• Honey: Drizzle honey over your cheeses or place a small jar of honey on your board for guests to help themselves. Honeycomb is also a great option if you want to impress your guests.
• Jams: Fig jam or spread is a popular choice to accompany a meat and cheese board. Other flavours that work well include apple and horseradish, sour cherry, and chilli jam.
• Fruits: Fresh fruits such as grapes, apples, pears, and berries add a natural sweetness to your board. Dried fruits like apricots and dates are also a great option.
• Chocolate: A little dark chocolate goes a long way. It pairs beautifully with the berries, apricots, and cheese on your board.

Sour Condiments

• Olives: Marinated olives like castelvetrano and kalamata add a savoury, salty, and sour element to your board.
• Pickles: The tartness of pickles or gherkins will help cut through the richness of the meats and cheeses.
• Dips: A tangy dip like beet hummus or roasted red pepper and walnut dip will add a sour element to your board.

Fruits and vegetables: add freshness and variety to your board with grapes, apples, and olives

Fruits and vegetables are a must on a cheese board, adding freshness and variety to your board. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Grapes

Grapes are probably the most common fruit to grace a cheese plate. They fill up space beautifully, are easy to eat, and pair well with cheese. However, some cheesemongers advise against eating cheese and grapes together due to the presence of tannins in grape skins, seeds, and stems, which can make cheese taste bitter. This usually happens when grapes are paired with washed rind or bloomy rind cheeses, and less often with hard cheeses. So, if you're serving grapes, it's best to pair them with hard cheeses.

Apples

Apples and cheese are an irresistible pair, offering the perfect marriage of sweet and savoury. The multitude of varieties of both apples and cheese allows for endless flavour combinations. Some popular apple and cheese pairings include:

• Red Delicious with Cheddar, Camembert, or Provolone
• Fuji with Gorgonzola or Blue Cheese
• Gala with Cheddar or Goat Cheese
• Granny Smith with Gorgonzola or Blue Cheese
• Honeycrisp with Blue Cheese, Brie, or Gruyere
• Braeburn with Camembert or Gouda

Olives

Olives provide a briny contrast to creamy cheeses and sweet jams. With over 130 varieties of olives regularly cultivated for human consumption, there are endless possibilities to choose from. Here are some olive and cheese pairing ideas:

• Castelvetrano olives with Brie
• Cerignola olives with Gorgonzola
• Mission olives with lightly aged Irish Cheddar
• Kalamata olives with sheep's milk feta or halloumi
• Manzanilla olives with semi-hard, aged Manchego or Idiazabal cheeses

In addition to the fruits and vegetables mentioned above, other popular choices for a cheese board include berries, pears, dried apricots, oranges, dates, and fresh or dried cherries.

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