An Easy Cheese & Charcuterie Board

What better way to round out the stretch of gluttony that comes with the holidays than the ultimate, abundant cheese & charcuterie board?  Turn to this easy, no-cook appetizer to serve at your New Year’s cocktail party as guests gather round to mingle and nibble on these tasty bites.

Though you really can’t go wrong with a plate of any cheeses and meats, you can consider a few rules of thumb when creating your board.  Always have at least one stinky, one hard and one soft cheese.  Some of my absolute favorite, if you can find them, cheeses are Cypress Grove’s Midnight Moon, anything from Cow Girl Creamery  and Rogue Creamery.  

Also always keep in mind how your guests will enjoy everything you’ve prepared.  I live by the entertaining rule that you shouldn’t have to set down your drink to grab bites from the board, so simplify the presentation for guests to easily enjoy with libation in-hand. 

And for the accompaniments?  Think sweet and savory options, with a nod to seasonal fruits (fresh and dried).  In this winter cheese & charcuterie board I stacked salted salami and paper-thin prosciutto. Dried apricots and figs. Vibrant pomegranate. Drunken, pickled tomatoes. A variety of olives and a rich tapenade.  Cocoa-powdered corn nuts and candied ginger to cleanse the palette. And of course, black-eyed peas for good luck! Truly, MKR

P.S. We’re helping take the guess work out of New Years by teaming up with some fabulous Ladies ( Emily McCarthy, Womanista, Mrs. Lilien, Lavin Label, Eat, Chef Made Pizzazzerie, Fancy Ashley, & Libbie Summers) to create an entire NYE menu.  We’ve obviously got your cheese and charcuterie board taken care of, but make sure you to click on everyone’s Blog for a whole slew of cocktails, apps, entrees, and desserts.