7 charcuterie board tips that will enhance your creativity and impress your friends and family right here in this article. Are your charcuterie boards lacking? Charcuterie is all about presentation and no matter your skill level these tips are sure to bring you to that next level of food flare.
1.Food Placement
Creating balance is sometimes a natural skill if you have a good eye for design. However, if you do not, try picking out what types of different food items you will be displaying and then take one food item at a time and evenly distribute it across your board. For example, say you have 6 different food items to display and the first is salami. You would take the salami and pick probably an odd amount like 5 areas on the board to place groups of salami. Try not to be too symmetrical and focus more on equal areas of space to fill in with your other food options.
Another way to create balance would be to focus on your food groups to be placed in different directions. For example, if you have pretzel sticks and cheese slices cut in a similar shape as the pretzel sticks, you could have the pretzel sticks placed horizontal and the cheese slices placed vertically.
Also, pay attention to patterns. Have similar shapes and sizes equally spread out throughout the board. This will create a more aesthetically pleasing board.
If you have an eye for design, check out 4 Hacks for High Value Decor Without the High Cost – Well-Rounded Woman PNW
2.Making Art Out of Food
Perhaps one of the most fun ways to spice up your charcuterie board is to make art out of your food choices. Cutting your cheese slices into different shapes, like stars or hearts. Cutting fruit and veggies length wise and leaving its natural parts like the leaves on a strawberry or the stem on a carrot. Folding pepperoni or salami to look like roses or other fun designs. Get creative and give your board a unique and personal style.
3.Pairing Foods
When pairing foods you should balance all the key tastings. You’ll typically want sweet, salty, savory and fresh throughout each board. Fresh fruit or yogurt covered pretzels and almonds make for great sweet options. Different meats for savory and crackers, pretzels or popcorn for salty, etc. You can have a full veggie board if that’s your style. Just use sweeter veggies like carrots or pickled vegetables for salty, for example.
Keep Reading For 7 Charcuterie Board Tips
4.Target Audience
If you are making a charcuterie board as a gift or for a party, consider what your friends like to eat. Do they have preferences? If you are unsure what your guests can and cannot eat, steer clear of common food allergies and try to be inclusive. Have options for people who have special dietary needs.
Read my blog How I Eat with Gestational Diabetes – Well-Rounded Woman PNW for tips on diabetic diets.
5.Holidays and Themes
Holidays are the best time to think out of the box when it comes to making a themed board. That means you can prepare food that matches the holiday you are celebrating. Themes also work for certain occasions. Maybe you want a movie night board with popcorn and snacks you may usually buy from a concession stand at the theaters. You could make a taco themed board for Cinco De Mayo. On Easter you could incorporate carrots and Jellybeans, or create a montage of food to make a silhouette of the Easter Bunny. Whatever the occasion, there’s always a good theme to think up.
6.Accessories
The type of board you use can really elevate the look of your charcuterie. So many different shapes and sizes of beautiful wood boards you can find. There are other options to consider as well. For Girls Night make mini charcuterie cups using wine glasses for single servings. Use a small disposable food grade box for gifting small charcuteries. Boxes shaped as large numbers or letters can be found on Amazon.com. Spend less. Smile more. Numbers are perfect for birthdays and letters can spell words out like MOM for Mothers Day.
Links to charcuterie box ideas:
Amazon.com: TOMNK 24pcs 8x6x2.5 Inches Cookie Boxes, Bakery Boxes with 3 Style Window, Treat Boxes
7.Food Separation
The most pro tip you’ll find on this article is this one. Know when to separate certain food groups. Certain foods can soak up flavors of other food items that don’t mix well. As a general rule of thumb, don’t let your meats touch your fruits or your sweets. Dab any wet foods dry or separate them with little dishes. I like to use small clear glass bowls so that it doesn’t distract too much from the overall look of the board.
I hope these 7 Charcuterie Board Tips help you to optimize your board making skills. Come back to my blogsite for more fun and helpful reads like this one. Well-Rounded Woman PNW – Various experiences that can inspire, educate, and be a fun read
A balanced board with intent is a happy charcuterie board.