Bushra Griffith
Meat and cheese trays are a popular appetizer for parties, BBQs, and family gatherings. They are easy to assemble and can be served with bread or crackers to allow guests to make sandwiches. However, if you're looking for an alternative, there are several options to choose from. You could serve a charcuterie board, which typically includes cured meats, cheeses, crackers, nuts, fruits, vegetables, sauces, and spreads. Alternatively, you could offer a variety of dips such as Texas Caviar, Mexican Layer Dip, or Marshmallow Fruit Dip. For a lighter option, consider a grilled vegetable or fish dish.
Alternatives to Meat and Cheese Trays
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Season | Summer: watermelon, cherries, basil pesto, tomatoes, Texas caviar; Fall: apples, pears, figs, roasted butternut squash; Winter: oranges, clementines, grapefruits, kale, beets; Spring: artichokes, rhubarb, strawberries, carrots |
| Dips | Basil pesto, hummus, marshmallow fruit dip, dill dip, mustard, red pepper jelly, homemade pimento cheese |
| Sides | Crackers, grapes, bread, rolls, tortilla chips, nuts, dried fruit, chocolate, pickles, olives |
| Entrees | Seafood pasta, salmon, steak salad, grilled fish, tomato corn galette, arugula salad, grilled summer vegetables |
| Meat alternatives | Folded or rolled deli meats, prosciutto, salami, ham, summer sausage, soppressata, capricola, chorizo |
| Cheese alternatives | Goat cheese, fresh mozzarella, medium cheddar cheese, Manchego cheese, Gouda, cream cheese, Brie, Triple Cream |
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What You'll Learn
Seafood, such as salmon or seafood pasta
Seafood is a great alternative to a meat and cheese tray. You could serve a variety of seafood, such as salmon or seafood pasta.
Salmon is a versatile option that can be grilled, broiled, or sautéed. It can be served as a main course or added to pasta for a more substantial dish. Salmon pairs well with a variety of ingredients, such as lemon zest, dill, scallions, cherry tomatoes, and pecorino romano cheese.
For a large group, seafood pasta is a delicious and impressive option. It can be made with a variety of seafood, including shrimp, clams, mussels, scallops, squid, lobster, calamari, or fish. The pasta itself can be spaghetti, fettuccine, angel hair, linguine, or cavatappi.
To make seafood pasta for a crowd, start by heating olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add onions and cook until softened, then add garlic and any desired aromatics such as red pepper flakes. Stir in pureed tomatoes and season with salt and pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook until it thickens. While the sauce is simmering, cook the pasta in a large pot of salted water according to the package directions.
Once the sauce has thickened, add the seafood to the pan. Place the clams and mussels in the pan with the sauce and reserved pasta water, bring to a simmer and cook until the shells open. Discard any shells that do not open. Finally, add the cooked pasta and shrimp to the pan and toss everything with the sauce. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.
This seafood pasta dish is a mix of shrimp, clams, mussels, and scallops in a homemade tomato sauce, but any combination of seafood and pasta can be used to create a unique and impressive dish for a large group.
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Grilled vegetables
When preparing grilled vegetables, you can use a variety of vegetables such as zucchini or yellow squash, mushrooms, bell peppers, tomatoes, and onions. You can slice or quarter the vegetables to make them easier to grill. If using small vegetables like baby bell peppers, you may want to skewer them to prevent them from falling through the grates of the grill.
To add flavour to your grilled vegetables, a simple marinade of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and minced garlic can be used. This marinade can also be used as a dressing after grilling. Grilled vegetables are typically cooked until they are charred, as this adds a smoky flavour and sweetness to the dish.
After grilling, you can serve the vegetables on a platter with grilled bread and ricotta, burrata, Boursin, or feta cheese. You can also serve them with an herby chimichurri sauce for dipping or drizzling. Grilled vegetables can be served warm or at room temperature and can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
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Nuts, dried fruit, crackers, and dips
If you're looking for a vegetarian alternative to a meat and cheese tray, consider creating a platter with nuts, dried fruit, crackers, and dips. This option is a fun and satisfying homemade snack that your guests will love.
Start by selecting a variety of nuts, such as pecans, walnuts, almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, pistachios, or sunflower seeds. These nuts will add a rich, savory crunch to your platter. Next, choose your favorite dried fruits to include. Commonly used dried fruits include prunes, raisins, apricots, cranberries, or mangoes. You can also use fresh fruits like apples, pears, figs, oranges, clementines, grapefruits, kale, beets, artichokes, rhubarb, strawberries, carrots, watermelon, cherries, tomatoes, or basil pesto.
Now, it's time to prepare your dips. You can offer a variety of options, such as hummus, guacamole, bean dip, or sour cream. Don't forget to provide crackers or bread alongside the dips. If you want to get creative, you can even make your own fruit and nut crackers from scratch. Simply bake mini fruit and nut bread loaves, slice them into thin crackers, and bake them again until crispy.
When assembling your platter, arrange the nuts and dried fruits in small bowls or piles around the dips and crackers. Garnish with fresh herbs for added color and flavor. Don't be afraid to get creative and experiment with different combinations of nuts, fruits, dips, and crackers to create a unique and delicious experience for your guests.
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Pickles, olives, and other brined foods
If you want to include fresh vegetables, carrots, celery, cucumbers, radishes, cauliflower, and cherry tomatoes are all good options. You can also blanch green beans or asparagus for an elegant look. You can even include marinated items like mushrooms and artichokes, but be sure to place them in bowls or small mason jars to contain the liquid.
For serving, provide toothpicks, tiny tongs, and mini forks so your guests can easily enjoy your pickle platter. You can also include some fresh herbs for garnish. If you want to get creative, arrange the various pickled items in a pattern on a large platter.
Pickled foods are a great option for a party or gathering and can be a beautiful and delicious addition to your spread. They are also a good choice for last-minute guests as they are shelf-stable and can be assembled quickly.
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Bread or rolls
When serving bread or rolls, it is recommended to use the folding method for the meat, as this makes it easier for your guests to pick up and place on the bread. To do this, simply fold the meat like an accordion, with roughly 1.5-inch folds, and stack the slices in a pyramid shape. This not only looks appealing but also makes it convenient for your guests to create their own sandwiches.
If you want to get creative, you can provide different types of spreads or dips to go with the bread and meat. For example, a strong mustard blend pairs well with fatty meats, and red pepper jelly goes nicely with cheeses. You could also offer a variety of pickled relishes, such as dill pickles, pickled okra, or olives.
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Frequently asked questions
If you are looking for a more vegetarian-friendly alternative, you could try a grilled vegetable entree or a salad. For example, a tomato, corn, eggplant, zucchini, pepper, and onion dish, or a steak salad with a vinegary dressing. Alternatively, you could serve a seafood dish, such as salmon with Dijon dressing.
There are many options for what to serve on a meat and cheese tray. You could include dips or spreads, such as mustard, hummus, pimento cheese, or red pepper jelly. You could also include pickled relishes, such as pickles, olives, or pickled okra. If you want to include something sweet, you could add chocolate, dried fruit, or fresh fruit such as grapes, apples, oranges, clementines, grapefruit, kale, beets, artichokes, rhubarb, strawberries, carrots, lemons, limes, or kiwis. You could also include nuts, sauces, crackers, or bread.
When arranging a meat and cheese tray, start with the bulkiest items first, such as a bowl of pickles or olives. Then, place the cheeses on the platter and add the meats around them. If you are using sliced sausages, arrange them in a fish scale pattern. If you are using deli meats, roll each slice up tightly and stack them. Finally, use crackers to fill in any gaps.
