How to Make Your Charcuterie Boards a Cut Above the Rest

You may have seen the new trend in charcuterie boards–it’s not just meat and cheese anymore! What started from French cuisine has expanded across the pond to American creativity that knows no limits. 

Where to start? One way is to pick a theme. What is the holiday, event, celebration, or party centered around? Once you have a theme, you can gather a few items to create the mood.  

For instance, when I attend a gender-reveal party, pink and blue items are a must. For my own board, I tried separating out some pink watermelon gummis and blue gummi sharks for a pink-and-blue themed snack, and add some assorted gummi bears.  After laying those out on a large board, I stood up a couple of children’s books in the middle (as part of the gift), then filled the remaining space with strawberry and yogurt pretzels, along with some blue and pink saltwater taffy and tootsie-frooties (blue raspberry and strawberry lemonade are perfect for a pink-and-blue theme). Jaws dropped and smiles appeared when we walked in with the colorful board. 

Another method is to think about the occasion. For me, when company arrives and I’m not quite ready to serve the meal, I like to have an appetizer board ready. A well-laid out charcuterie board is great to serve as a conversation starter, filled with dried fruits, nuts, and a few sweets. Mango and kiwi slices are not only brightly colored but also tasty. Add some dark chocolate and a few gummies, and you’ll have a something for everyone.