Charcuterie Board

A charcuterie board is a fun platter that typically includes cured meats, a variety of cheese, crackers, nuts, fruit and vegetables, and dipping sauces or spreads. It is a perfect shared appetiser and can easily be themed to suit any occasion.

This recipe is a selection of ingredients I used on the pictured charcuterie board, but of course you can add anything that you like and enjoy! 

Have fun assembling your own show-stopping arrangement - it is bound to be well received. 

Ingredients:

• Meat options: Salami, cooked prawns, bier sticks
• Cheese selection: French camembert, smoked cheddar, blue cheese
• Cracker selection: Pretzels, meal mates crackers, homemade seed crackers and homemade chickpea crackers
• Accompaniments: Strawberries, cherry tomatoes, fresh pear
• Dips and spreads: Sun-dried tomato pesto, quince jelly, apricot date and ginger chutney
• Sweet element: Strawberry wafer sticks
• Dried apricots and apple rings
• Nuts: Pistachios
• Something to garnish (I used fresh rosemary sprigs)

These are just a few different ideas, but the options are endless - e.g. Pickled vegetables, terrines, chocolates, breads...

Tips for putting your platter together:

• Start with all your ingredients out where you can see them, and if anything needs cutting or preparing make sure that is done before you begin assembling.
• Cutting the cheese allows you to fan it out for visual appeal. This is also a good idea if you don't plan on serving your platter with utensils.
• Once you've chosen your board or platter, create a staring point on your plate or board. I usually start with the cheese as they're not great for filling in the gaps. Then I add any smaller bowls that might have chutney or wetter ingredients in them. 
• Remember, an odd number of items looks more pleasing to the eye.
• When arranging the items, remember fanning or folding always looks better. You can inter fold the salami for great visual appeal.
• Make sure your 'stand out' ingredients aren't hidden - use them to create a statement. The salami rose is the central focal point of this platter.
• When assembling your ingredients, make sure you have as much variety as possible - variety in colour, texture, shape, flavour.
• Fill in any gaps with smaller ingredients like the pretzels or nuts.
• Don't forget to finish off the platter by adding a fresh green herb garnish. 
• It's best to serve your platter at room temperature, so if you have had it in the fridge, make sure you take it out at least 30 minutes before you want to serve it.