Charcuterie boards are fun.
If you have a problem pronouncing that word…let me help you:
shaar.koo.tr.ree!!!
Or you can just say cheeseboard.
I love a cheeseboard, so easy to toss together and I have used these appetizer boards at many a potluck.
My dear readers, trust me when I tell you there is nothing better than noshing near a beautiful charcuterie board full of yummies!
I almost said “on” a cheese board, but I didn’t want you to think I was gnawing on wood! 🙂
Let me say that cheeseboards are so easy to create and they are always a hit with guests. There are no limits because I like to use what is fresh and in season….of course the cheeses are in season anytime of the year. I mean, who doesn’t like cheese and crackers? Just about anything can go on a cheese board…there are no stead fast rules as to what to place on the board. Some of the foods I like to use are a variety of great cheeses, fresh and dried fruit, large olives, rolled prosciutto, crispy breads and crackers.
I have a vintage cheeseboard that I have had for ages…it is about 20 inches wide and 27 1/2 inches long. It originally came from Turkey and was hand carved. It is scarred up with knife marks and every day wear and tear marks ….and it is warped.
And I love the character (on both sides,… one side has a darker more charred look). It makes me wonder whose loving hands used this board, and the families whose meals were enhanced over the years. I can’t help but think of the love of family and friends.
And each time I set up a cheeseboard….it becomes a very popular place for guests to “hang out”.
I have used so many different cheeses over the years that it has become fun to try new cheeses. However, for this board, I used Asiago, Gouda, Brie and goat cheese. I purchased a goat cheese roll at my deli and then I chopped up a bit of rosemary, thyme, basil, and a bit of lemon zest and rolled the goat cheese in the fresh herbs and then I wrapped it in foil and put in the fridge until ready to serve.
I also used dried and fresh figs, grapes, tiny bananas, candied pecans, dried apricots, large, salty Italian olives, herb roasted cherry tomatoes, sliced pears, strawberry jam and honey from my honey pot.
I added a couple stems of bright yellow daisies (that kept ending up behind the ear of one of our guests…haha) just to make it pretty.
I love grilling brie cheese and it is so easy if you already have your grill out or you can do it in a very hot oven.
Just be careful when lifting or moving the round of brie….you don’t want the brie to break open.
If you are not heating your brie…be sure to let it set at room temperature for at least an hour before serving.
Creamy and yummy.
Add a few toasted crackers/and or crispy breads, drizzle blue cheese with honey and you have a wonderful cheeseboard.
I know I will be making several different charcuterie boards for many of the upcoming holidays.
Memorial Day, I plan on using a lot of red, white and blue…such as red-lined gouda, blue berries, red strawberries, and perhaps white carnations, along with slices of toasted bruschetta.
The sky is the limit!
Burrata Cheese, Manchego Cheese, Gorgonzola (or bleu cheese), grilled peaches, fresh cherries or any fruit in season, toasted walnuts, pepper jelly, salami, crisp flatbreads.
For an added kick, I like to pluck a few flower stems and lay here and there on the board. It makes the board so pretty!
And of course, if you like it, a bottle of wine compliments your cheeseboard.
PS………I have been known to tote some or all of the above in my picnic basket with bread board in hand to a nice grassy park for that perfect, spontaneous, rendezvous with the Captain.
Set up your charcuterie board at your leisure and enjoy.
Nuff Said!!!!
Have a great week and blessings always!
Hi Kari! I wanted to let you know that your Charcuterie Fun post is one of my features at Homestyle Gathering this week. I’ve never taken a cheeseboard on a picnic, but it’s a genius way to have a large flat surface in the middle of a picnic blanket. I’ll also be getting a little more creative with the picnic fare, especially if it’s a picnic just me and hubby, thanks to your ideas. Thanks for joining us and sharing at Homestyle Gathering.
thank you Kim…they are so much fun to put together as well las being easy. And your guests will appreciate it so much.
Looks so yummy! And your cheeseboard is gorgeous! Brie is one of my favorite cheeses too :). My daughter-in-law has me hooked on goat cheese on a triscuit with a drizzle of honey on top! That is often my lunch 😉
Cindy you and I both love brie cheese …and I didn’t like goat cheese in my younger years and now I love it. Sounds like a great lunch to me. Thanks for stopping by.
Thanks for the pronunciation lesson Kari, I always get tongue tied when I try to say charcuterie! I’ll stick with cheeseboard 😂
Such a fun way to entertain and nibble!
Jenna
that is why I had to have a pronunciation Jenna…I never say it right two times in a row. LOL
I love a great charcuterie spread! Yours looks amazing dear friend! I have one made from old European barn wood and I think I will prepare it with fruits, veggies, and cheese for our small group on Sunday evening! Thanks for the inspiration!
you are most welcome…these boards are not only easy peasy…they taste good too! Have a great week sweet friend.
Those pictured look awesome, Kari. I could easily eat from (not on, lol) charcuterie spread daily. I cannot seem to find fresh figs, esp when not in season, but I love them. We have a few neighbors who have them, and I have been known to taste test on walks in early fall!
Luckily Rita, here in Florida, it is almost always “season” for most fruits and veggies.
Once in a while, if I am looking for a particular fruit, it alludes me, whereas it is always available when I don’t need it. LOL
PS. In my book of fruit etiquette, Every one needs a taste tester, although neighbors with mangoes tend to frown if you dare “test” one of their fruits, while other neighbors “beg” you to take them off their hands!!!
Your photography is fabulous! The pictures of your cheese board are superb! And perfect for any occasion! Well done my friend!
Thanks Nancy…putting it together is always fun….it isn’t hard to do when one loves to eat EVERYTHING! Thanks for the photo love…as you know, sometimes it is hard to get good photos….but yours are always great. Hugs
That bread board is beautiful! What a treasure! My hubby and I love a charcuterie or cheese board with all of the yummy accouterments that go along with it. I have a really funny story about pronouncing the word! I did all of this planning to film a YouTube video on styling a charcuterie board and I had practiced again and again on the correct pronunciation, when I finished the video, I realized I had done the entire thing pronouncing it wrong.
How funny Chloe. It is one of those words that is hard to remember….so I can sympathize with you. That is why I mostly use the word cheese board…you can’t miss with that word. Thanks for stopping by my friend.