+ IN THE Kitchen
How to Master the Art of the Charcuterie Board By Maya James
C
harcuterie boards, named after French charcuteries or butcher shops where cold cooked meats are prepared and sold, serve as an upscale appetizer or even a tasty hors d’oeuvre. While they may seem daunting due to the seemingly endless combinations of meats and cheeses, they’re incredibly simple to master.
Choose Your Toppings
Start with breaking down the process into steps — what do you want on your charcuterie board? Do you want to have a plethora of fruits, cheeses, and vegetables with a small portion of meat? Do you want to do a full Italian spread and do a charcuterie board in the form of an antipasto platter complete with pepperoni, salami, pick-
led peppers, and fresh tomato? Do you want to include honey, or maybe even jam? The possibilities are endless, but the best part of a charcuterie board is that they’re composed of all the yummy things you like, so feel free to add ingredients to your heart’s content.
Where to Find Good Charcuterie Board Ingredients
After deciding what to put on your charcuterie board comes the best part – sourcing your ingredients. Your local deli or butchery is sure to have an amazing selection of cold cuts that are perfect for your charcuterie board. Even grocery store chains have a great selection of cheeses and meats at the deli section for gathering all necessary ingredients without breaking the bank.
The Arrangement
The rule of thumb is to group each ingredient in pairs that are of similar type. Meats of all types go together in any arrangement you see fit – alternate colors or be as creative as you’d like. Bread such as pita or crostini goes with crackers. Honey and jam go together as well; you can even take it a step further and put them in decorative jars or containers on the board. Now, you’re a charcuterie master. Get out there and enjoy!
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Central Florida Lifestyle | May 2022
