How To Make A Meat And Cheese Tray Shaped Into A Christmas Tree:

Step 1:  The shape of this tree is a little star tipping over made using star shaped cookie cutter and filled with cranberries.  I set it to the left side upper corner.  Other options would be to fill a bowl with dip, jelly, or nuts.

Step 2:  The trunk is made from Sourdough Swedish Style Crisp Bread by WASA.  I added the star at the top, the bread at the bottom.

Step 3:  I filled the branches in with fresh Dill.  I like how the “ Dill branches” look wispy as a Christmas tree would look.  I left open spaces because that’s where I wanted to add my fillers…meats, cheeses, fruits, crackers, etc.

Note:  I used Dill to shape my tree but you can also lay out a string in the shape of a tree and follow that outline.

Step 4:  From there, I filled in the open spaces.  I cut up one apple into slices to fill in the outer edges of the tree.  I sliced up half an orange to mix in with the apple to give more color and texture to my tray.

Step 5:  I used a decorative glass plate and topped it with a small dip bowl by Pioneer Woman of Murray’s Wild Blueberry Preserves and Private Selection Toasted Sesame Water Crisp Crackers.

How To Make A Meat And Cheese Tray Shaped Into A Christmas Tree:

Step 6:  I added a .32 oz block of Kerrigold Dubliner with Irish Stout cheese ($6.40) whole but ended up slicing it into large pieces from the tip back to the rind.  I kept the green rind on because I liked the color it added to the board.

Step 7:  I cut up a .37 oz ($3.33) block of Pepper Jack cheese into pieces and placed them into open spaces on the board.

Step 8:  Using Prosciutto Italiano (dry cured ham), Coppa Italiana (dry cured pork shoulder), and Salame Milano (milo salami with garlic and pepper), I filled in the spaces.  I folded the Coppa and Salame over twice to create the flower design and rolled the Prosciutto into a loose un-even roll to create  the flower.

Step 9:  Using a cookie cutter in a small snowflake design, I cut out snowflakes from a Provolone cheese wheel and placed them around the board.

I had a plan in place and it didn’t take me long to make this board.  I like the textures and different layers and heights as well as the foods that created all the color.  The sky is the limit with making these kinds of boards.  This tray should feed 2-4 people easily.     

Adding nuts to this board would be a fun addition!  Or set up another board with nuts, dried fruit, and chocolate so your guests have options!  Growing up, my mother always put out whole walnuts and a nutcracker.  I can still see my dad cracking open those whole walnuts while watching TV.  My mom would be cooking and me and my sister would be waiting patiently for Christmas Dinner to be ready.  Enjoy!!