SATURDAY CHARCUTERIE

Saturday afternoon snacking is very popular around Snyder Manor (as we affectionately call our home). My husband and I enjoy entertaining our neighbors on our Lanai after all the chores are done, especially with a cool adult beverage. We find the perfect snack is a charcuterie board. At the onset, they are a little intimidating but after a little practice, they are fun and easy. With a little planning ahead, you can really impress your guests.

The first thing you have to decide on is the board. You can use lots of different things for the board: wood, slate, bamboo, disposable, and ceramic to name a few. I found some wonderful disposable palm leaf trays on Amazon https://amzn.to/38foqPs that have a wood grain look. They are perfect for outside and reasonable.

I begin with meats on my charcuterie tray. You can use whatever kind of meats you have in your refrigerator but I usually use salami, prosciutto and pepperoni. You can’t go wrong with a good mix of these. I will say there are wonderful videos on Pinterest on how to make roses/flowers out of the prosciutto and salami when you are feeling froggy!

Next you have to decide on different cheeses. You will do best with a mixture of hard and soft cheeses as well as a mixture of flavors. Brie is a nice compliment on a charcuterie tray and also a cheddar. Pick your favorites and try some new ones. There are some great cheeses out there. Again, Pinterest is a great place to get ideas for placement on your tray. There is no right or wrong way to place your items on a charcuterie tray.

 

Once you have meat and cheese on the board, you can add nuts and fruit as needed. I like to use specialty nuts like honey roasted nuts or sesame coated nuts. The specialty nuts add something extra to your tray but you certainly can use whatever you have. Then we add fruits. Fresh fruit and dried fruit both work on a charcuterie tray: figs, peaches, grapes, pineapple, apples, etc. Use what you have on hand.

Lastly on the tray, you can add honey and/or specialty jelly. My favorite honey with cheese is truffle honey. (I love truffle anything!) Honey and jelly are a great compliment for your tray. You can usually find both at any specialty shop or on Amazon.  Truffle honey https://amzn.to/3gxE6SH.

 

Crackers can be served on the side of your Saturday Charcuterie tray for a perfect snack.  Your imagination is the only limit.  The combinations are endless.

Be the reason someone smiles today.

XOX♥