Candy And Wine Charcuterie Board

Dec 15, 2020 | Appetizers, Food

Happy Wednesday everyone!  Can you believe Christmas is next week.  I received some wonderful gifts over the weekend packed full of salty and sweet goodness so I decided to create a Charcuterie board and mix in a few things of my own. The holidays are filled with people stopping by, family, and friends and what better way to celebrate but to put out a board of goodies.  The holidays might look a little different this year but it’s not going to stop me from celebrating!

First off … how do you pronounce charcuterie?  In the French culture, it is pronounced shahr-koo-tuh–ree!  What is a Charcuterie board?  Charcuterie is the art of preparing meats which are often cured or smoked such as bacon, ham or salami.  A charcutier is a person who prepares charcuterie and while the term is loosely translated in English to “pork butcher”, any kind of meat can be used. The idea of charcuterie has become very popular outside of France, and the term has evolved to include a variety of foods besides meat. A charcuterie board is an assortment of meats, cheeses, artisan breads, olives, fruit, and nuts, all artfully arranged on a serving board.

Candy board
Candy board

There are so many different ways to prepare a Charcuterie board from adding different fruits, dips, and crackers to cheeses and meats.  You can also combine all of the above and add in different kinds of chocolate.  If you are a salty and sweet lover, then this might be for you.  From large boards too small, you can let your creativity flow.  Tonight, Thomas and I are going to enjoy this Candy and Wine Charcuterie Board all by ourselves.

I used the following:

Beer pretzels dipped in white chocolate – I used the beer pretzels from the gift my cousin gave me and dipped them in a bowl of candy melts melted at 2 minutes in the microwave.
Lindt Lindor Truffles – I bought a bag of assorted flavors to mix throughout the board
Caramel Popcorn – The popcorn along with the other items below were a gift from my cousin that came beautifully wrapped in different boxes stacked together.
White chocolate raspberry cookies
Chocolate covered graham crackers
Chocolate covered Ghirardelli chocolates
Chocolate/caramel pretzels bites
Sugar covered jelly cones
Vino Spumante by Villa Jolanda – This was a gift from my friends, Tanya and Charlie, from Joey’s P.A.W. and how cute is this wine bottle!  It goes perfectly with Thomas’ mother’s wine glasses!

I added a vintage flair to my board by using antique dishes from both my mother and Thomas’ mother.  The wine glasses were put out every holiday by Thomas’ mother and look how festive they look with this beautiful wine bottle my friend got me.

Candy board

A few helpful hints in creating your board:

1.  Find a board large enough to fit all that you want to include on your board
2.  Make sure the board you are using is made for putting food on it such as greasy salami or soft cheese.  If not, cover with parchment paper
3.  Use small bowls in different sizes to compliment your food and give your board height
4.  Start with your biggest ingredient first and work around it.  For example:  Choose a medium and large block of cheese and fill in the bare spaces with smaller items such as grapes and crackers
5.  Find a board with a lip so your food doesn’t fall off
6.  Choose colors of food that compliment each other like different colored grapes
7.  Choose foods with a more monochromatic look but throw in a pop of color such as mandarin oranges or strawberries
8.  Add a cheese cutter
9.  Put out small plates, napkins, and toothpicks
10.  Create your theme for the board whether it be building a mini sandwich board, making hot cocoa, or taco night.  Have fun with your board.  Keep it well organized.

Candy board
Candy board

An ideal charcuterie board has a good balance of flavors and textures with items that both contrast and complement each other. Here are some tips for making pairings and choosing ideal options for your charcuterie tray:

Pair a chewy, piquant salami with a rich, smooth pate.
Complement spicy chorizo with sweet fruits.
Contrast cold cheeses, fruits, or meats with warm sausage or cheese.
Limit yourself to one smoked meat option per tray. Smoke has a strong flavor that can easily overwhelm more delicate flavors on the board.

The basic goal of a charcuterie board is to create a pleasing contrast between the different qualities in each morsel. Many charcuterie boards will include sliced baguette, fruit preserves, and even mustard or flavored olive oils to mix up the possible combinations.

Want more food recipes, check out my previous blog posts here:

Banana, Pumpkin, Chocolate Bread

No Bake White Chocolate Cheesecake

Homemade Fettuccini Alfredo Sauce

Strawberry Blueberry Tart

 

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2 Comments

  1. Carla Evans

    I love love love these boards!! They are so fun to make and fun to snack on!! Yours looks yummy!!????

    Reply
    • Bobbi

      Thank you! I’m thinking of making some for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day! I’ll take pictures if I do!

      Reply

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