The new trend among friends? Apps! Gone are the days when we all sat quietly in the dining room over a four-course meal. Now it's catching up in the kitchen together; balancing an appetizer plate in one hand and a wine glass in the other.
We may have ditched the sit-down dinners for standing hors d'ourves, but the sentiment remains the same: keep the food and conversation flowing. A charcuterie (say it with us: shar-koo-tuh-ree) platter is a great way to nab a few hostess points. It's all about presentation and Instagram-worthy finesse. Just remember to snap a picture before your guests dig in…
Pick Your Board & Bowls
Choose Your Cheese
Vary The Taste
Tease your guest's taste buds with a bit of zip. Try marinated olives, grapes and pickles to shake up your spread. Separate them out into their own little jars and scatter them around your board. Trust us—everyone will appreciate the dose of different flavors.
Add Meat & Bread
Choose about 3-4 slices of meat per guest. Mix flavors and textures, like salami, prosciutto, mortadella and capicola. Create variety by trying both cuts of hard meats and thin slices. You can even fan out a few slices of pepperoni to pop a crowd favorite into your charcuterie platter. Slip some breadsticks into a jar and add a cut-up loaf of bread to build your board.
Sweeten The Spread
Now you'll need to balance out the dry and salty taste with something juicy. Mix fresh fruit for sweet flavor and beautiful color. Try blackberries, figs and cranberries. Finish it off with some crunch, like pistachios, dried apricots, salted almonds and more. It's the perfect finger food for your guests to grab and chat at the same time.
Pour Some Wine
Like any great hostess, it's important to think of drinks. Wine is our top choice for a charcuterie spread. The type you choose depends on your selection. If you have more subdued flavors, try a sweet rosé or a crisp white wine. If you have more bold flavors that really strike the palate, pair it with a full-bodied red wine. (We obviously can't resist a rosé in our Tuscany Classics glass set!)
After your charcuterie spread is made and the wine glasses are all filled, it's time for you to sit back, relax and just enjoy the conversation!
