Supplies for Building A Festive Charcuterie Board
The season of entertaining is upon us.
Whether you are hosting a large group or just gathering your favorite people for simple nibbles and sips you want to present something that wows your guests and makes dining an experience. Enter the timeless and (hopefully) elegant charcuterie board. Originating in 15 th century France, charcuterie was the practice of salting or smoking meat for preservation. It involved all parts of the animal so nothing was left to waste. Present day charcuterie boards contain not only dried meats but also cheeses, nuts, fruits, olives, mustards, preserves, candies, crackers and sometimes even baked goods. Charcuterie boards can be the focal point of your gathering spread across an entire table or as simple as a single board served as a snack before the main meal. It is obvious that the foods on the charcuterie board take center stage. But before you can start piling on those salami roses or artistically cutting up fruits into intricate flowers you must make sure you have the necessary infrastructure. Now I’m not talking about beams or support walls or concrete footings. Instead I am talking about the serving ware required for a successful charcuterie.
First things first. The base.
Unless you are building your charcuterie directly on a table you will need a large tray, plate or most commonly used, a board. The size of the base depends entirely on how many people you will be serving. Here at Dune we have an assortment of cheese boards available in sizes for an intimate gathering of two or a larger crowd of 20 plus. We have traditional rectangle boards along with long and lean boards. Maybe you want a decorative handle on your board or a simple thumb hold for easy carrying? We’ve got you covered! And after the party is over and the kitchen is closed you can casually lean your beautiful board up against the counter for decoration. When you invest in a beautiful board it is useful and decorative!
To add interest on your board
we suggest adding a few bowls tucked here and there for visual interest. Bowls can be small and hold different jellies or preserves. Here at Dune we carry fruit conserves from Lebon Magot. Try the sour cherry pomegranate conserve with a slice of cheese and cracker or a dollop of the carrot and fruit conserve on a bread slice. Maybe you need a larger bowl for olives or a variety of pickled foods. We have a great selection of pottery bowls from Egg Back Home in different glazes and textures that will fit any aesthetic. I personally love our small marble and clay bowls for a mix of colors and textures on your board.
An element you will not want to leave unnoticed
is the serving utensils for your board. What a shame to create a masterful charcuterie board and then stick basic serving spoons or dinner knives onto the board for serving. Yes, most components on a charcuterie board are finger foods. However, if you are adding preserves or wet foods you will need something elevated to serve those foods with. Here at Dune we have a large selection of hand made wooden serving utensils that add another beautiful layer to your charcuterie. We are talking intricately carved wooden spoons, leaf shaped serving tongs and handmade forks. We believe practical items don’t have to be basic. Our serving ware is a perfect example of elevating the ordinary!
Last but not least
is the addition of some beautiful textiles. Layer your charcuterie on a beautiful table runner like our sage or ochre colored 100% cotton runners from Natural Habitat. Or how about a beautiful stack of cloth napkins for those crumbly finger foods? We have a beautiful selection of block printed napkins in an assortment of patterns and colors. If something simpler is what you prefer a 100% linen kitchen towel from Heriloomed layered under the board is all you need. Now that the infrastructure is complete you are ready for the fun part! THE FOOD! Whether you find your inspiration via pinterest or have taken a charcuterie making class like the one we had with Tricky Foods, we have no doubt you are going to impress. And remember, it isn’t about perfection. Have fun with it! Let your creativity flow and see what you end up with. The sign of a great charcuterie is an empty board at the end of the night! Entertaining doesn’t have to be fussy, stressful or expensive. All the products and ideas above can be used year round, day to day! Don’t save cloth napkins or hand carved wooden utensils just for company. Use them, enjoy them, reuse them and elevate your every day into an extraordinary day!