Simple Charcuterie Board

A simple charcuterie board is not only fun and easy to create but you can also customize it and choose whatever foods you like. Making your own charcuterie board also lets you keep the cost down (bonus!). So let’s start!

Recipe Origin

What is charcuterie?

Charcuterie is from chair, ‘flesh’, and cuit, ‘cooked’) is a French term for a branch of cooking devoted to prepared meat products, such as bacon, ham, sausage, terrine, galantines, ballotines, pâtés,, and confit, primarily from pork. (Source: Wikipedia)

It usually includes:

-a couple of different types of cheeses,

-a couple of different types of meats.

-crunchy items like crackers, bread sticks etc,

-some accompaniments (like pickles, olives), and

-sweet items.

The ingredients for this board are inspired by Italian charcuterie meats and popular italian cheeses. It includes prosciutto, salami, Parmesan, mozzarella and Bocconcini. It also includes small tomatoes, green olives, and roasted red peppers. For some crunch and as an accompaniment to the meats, it includes tortillas hat have been seasoned and toasted in the oven. Finally, as an easy dessert, it also includes dark chocolate.

Recipe Tips

Before we get to the ingredients, here are a couple of tips to make creating a charcuterie board simple:

-The first tip is to plan ahead and create a charcuterie board shopping list. Being prepared with a list when you go shopping will ensure that you purchase all the items you need and you will have all your items on hand when it is time to prepare your easy DIY charcuterie board.

-The next tip is to buy extra items to have on hand for occasions in the future when you would like to create one. So, for example salamis can be purchased as a small whole version (sometimes called a chub) and then you can slice yourself or you can buy the salami and prosciutto already sliced in airtight packages.

-The last tip is to purchase items already prepared versus making them yourself. An example of this is purchasing vegetables already pickled versus doing it yourself. This will help to save you time and make the process of creating a charcuterie board simple.

What You Need To Create a Simple Charcuterie Board

Types of Cheeses for Charcuterie Board

This board has three cheeses on it.

-The first cheese is Bocconcini and there is 210 grams or 7 large for this board. The next one is mozzarella and a total of 60 grams is included. The last cheese is Parmesan and a total of 60 grams is on it as well.

Types of Charcuterie Meats

This board has 3 meats on it. The first one is Prosciutto and there is 128 grams included on the board. The second is a hot Genoa salami and there is 32 grams. This hot salami was purchased as a whole and cut at time of preparing the board. The third meat included is a mild Genoa salami with prosciutto in it and there is 60 grams included on the board. This salami was purchased already sliced.

Fruit and Vegetables for Charcuterie Board

This small simple charcuterie board also has some fruits and vegetables on it as well. It has:

-Cherry and/or Grape Tomatoes 80 grams

-Roasted Red Peppers (Purchased already prepared in a jar) 90 grams

-Green Olives 154 grams

Dessert

To continue to keep this board simple, we add some chocolate as a dessert:

-Dark Chocolate 8 squares or 32 grams

Crunchy Items for this Small Simple Charcuterie Board

Finally, the last of the items on the board is tortillas. Note that if you do not have these on hand you can also substitute by toasting some bread or even with crackers, bread sticks etc.

This recipe has 2 toasted tortillas or 70 grams and the seasoning for the tortillas is as follows:

• 1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil,
• 1/8 Teaspoon Sea Salt
• 1/4 Teaspoon Dried Oregano
• 1/8 Teaspoon Garlic Powder

Tools You Will Need to Create A Simple Charcuterie Board

-Small bowl to mix seasonings,

-Small spoon or pastry brush,

-1/4 teaspoon and 1/8 teaspoon,

-Baking Tray (13 inches x 18 inches),

-Parchment Paper,

-A Wood Cutting Board (approx. 12 inches x 8 inches),

-A Paring Knife, and

-4 Small Bowls (approx. 2 inches wide).

How to Build a Simple Charcuterie Board: Step-by-Step Instructions

Step#1: Preheat the oven and Gather all your ingredients and tools

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and then gather all the ingredients and tools to make the charcuterie board.

This will help you save time and help you to create the board quickly and easily.

Step#2: Prep the Tortillas

Next line a 12 inch x 16 inch baking tray with parchment paper.

Then in a small bowl mix together the extra virgin olive oil, sea salt, garlic powder and dried oregano.

Now using a pastry brush, or a small spoon, spread the olive oil mixture on each of the tortillas. (If you have some of the oil mixture left over, set it aside and you can use it another time to use as a salad dressing or to season some vegetables before roasting.)

Cut the tortillas in a triangle shape and place them on the baking tray.

Finally, place the tray on the bottom rack of the preheated oven. The tortillas should take around 10 minutes to crisp up, but since oven temperatures can vary, it’s best to check every 5 minutes. Some ovens may take a little longer and some may take a little less time.

Step#3: Fill the Bowls and Place on the Board

While the tortillas are crisping up in the oven, start preparing the board.

At this point, you will want to fill each of the small bowls with the olives, roasted red peppers, Bocconcini and chocolate.

Place bowls on the board with space in between them so that there is space to place the meat and cheese. For instance, place two of the bowls near the top of the board with about 1 1/2 to 2 inches apart and place the other two bowls near the bottom of the board a couple inches apart.

Note that if the red peppers are whole in the jar, you will want to slice them so that it is easier for each person to grab one or two small pieces versus ending up with a whole pepper. Similarly, do the same with the chocolate by breaking it into smaller pieces, such as one or two squares. Doing this makes it easier for people to serve themselves and enjoy the food!

Step#4: Arrange the Meat and Cheese on the Board

After arranging the bowls, start by cutting the hot Genoa salami and placing it around the small bowls of olives. Next place the prosciutto slices around the Bocconcini bowl.

Now fold the mild Genoa salami and place them between the bowl of Bocconcini and the bowl of roasted red peppers. Place the tortillas at the edge of the board between the red peppers and olives.

Lastly let’s arrange the cheese on the board. Slice the mozzarella cheese and place it next to the tortillas. Next cut wedges from the Parmesan and place them around the bowl of chocolate.

And the last two final steps are to place the grape tomatoes throughout the board where you find some space. The very final step is to place some small serving utensils, like forks or tongs.

FAQs

What if I don’t have a wood board? Can I use something else instead?

If you don’t have a wood board, you can use any of the following:

-a platter,

-a cutting board, or

-a tray.

When or for what holidays would you serve this small charcuterie board?

This board could be prepared and served at any time! For example it could be served as a lunch charcuterie board, a snack charcuterie board, a dinner charcuterie board or even as a brunch charcuterie.

In terms of holidays, you could serve it as an appetizer for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter or for a gathering as a New Year’s charcuterie. It is so versatile, easy and fast to make that it can be served for any special occasion you like; even simply as a summer charcuterie board.

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