How to Build the Perfect Cheese Board
Since we’ve all collectively decided that fall is here, I thought what better time to put together a fall inspired Charcuterie board? This season begins the time of year for family gatherings and cozy comfort food, and when I think of either of those things I think of a nice spread of cheese and cured meats alongside a glass of wine. Charcuterie boards are so versatile and can be applied to really any occasion. This is an example of one with flavors inspired by autumn – think apples and cinnamon, pumpkin spice, and fresh rosemary. In this post I’ll take you through my steps of creating a perfect Charcuterie board that you can use as a template for your own!
Before we begin – What is a Charcuterie Board?
A Charcuterie Board is an array of cheeses, cured meats, jams, crackers, nuts, olives, etc all assembled together to provide a variety of complementary flavors and textures. It’s perfect for entertaining because there’s something for everyone. The goal is to provide different experiences within the board – think a bite of brie on a cracker with some fig jam, followed by a bite of rich prosciutto on an apple slice, or a briny olive with a slice of sharp cheddar. All the flavors come together to create an exciting experience for the palette and a sense of community.
First, Choose Some Cheese
Usually for a medium-sized board, try to provide at least 3 different cheeses. First, something mild and creamy like a brie or camembert. Then, Something sharp and smoky like a cheddar or smoked gouda. And finally, something soft and herby like an herbed goat cheese or havarti with dill. For my fall-inspired board I chose a Brie, an applewood smoked cheddar, and Boursin. These cheeses pair well with the other flavors of my board but are mild enough to let the other ingredients shine. You can get really creative with the cheeses you pick – my biggest tip would be to just make sure there’s some contrasting textures and flavors.
Then, It’s Time for Meats
Again I try to provide a couple different choices of cured meats throughout a board. My favorites for most any board are prosciutto and a good quality salami. I also added cappocollo to this board. You could use mortadella, pepperoni, or even black forest ham depending on your preferences. The meats provide a richness and saltiness to contrast the other flavors of the board.
Accompaniments
Here’s where you can get super creative with your board and where I added a lot of fall flair to mine. Some typical additions include olives, crackers, bread, nuts, fresh fruit, jams, spreads, and fresh herbs. Along with the meats and cheeses, I included my homemade Apple Butter, homemade Pumpkin-Spiced Candied Pecans (recipes for both can be found below), apple slices, Simple Mills gluten free crackers, and fresh sprigs of rosemary for color.
The possibilities for a good charcuterie board are truly endless and you can’t really go wrong with anything you choose! These are just some tips for what I do but feel free to experiment with new flavors and combinations.
Crock Pot Apple Butter
Ingredients
- 6 Medium Apples
- 4 Tbsp Maple Syrup
- 2 Tsp Ground Cinnamon
- 1 Tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice
- 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice or Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1/4 Tsp Salt
Instructions
- Peel and chop your apples into 1/2 chunks. Add to the crock pot along with the other ingredients, and stir until all ingredients are combined and the apples are coated.
- Cook on Low for 8 Hours or High for 5 hours, stirring occasionally. Around the 3-hour mark, mash the apples with a potato masher until broken down but still chunky. Continue to mash as it cooks down further until your desired consistency is reached.
- Optionally, cook an additional 30 minutes with the cover off to thicken even further. Cool to room temperature and store in a mason jar or other air tight container in the fridge.
Pumpkin-Spiced Candied Pecans
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Halved Pecans
- 1 Egg White
- 1/4 Cup Coconut Sugar
- 1 Tsp Cinnamon
- 1/2 Tsp Pumpkin Spice
- Pinch Salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 Degrees.
- In a medium sized bowl, beat your egg white vigorously for about a minute or until foamy.
- Add pecans to egg whites and carefully stir to coat.
- Add all other ingredients to bowl and stir again until combined and pecans are coated.
- Spread onto a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer and bake for 10 minutes. Cool to room temperature and store in an air tight container.