Classic Charcuterie Board Recipe

Elevate your entertaining game with this Classic Charcuterie Board Recipe, a stunning and crowd-pleasing centerpiece for any gathering. Perfectly curated with an array of cured meats, artisan cheeses, fresh fruits, crunchy nuts, and savory accompaniments, this board is a celebration of flavors and textures.

Ingredients:

• Salami (for 2 flowers)
• Other cold meats (for 2 flowers)
• Chili-infused Gouda cheese (or plain gouda – cut into cubes and slices)
• Brie cheese (sliced into wedges)
• Olives (assorted, pitted)
• Baby tomatoes
• Carrot slices (thinly julienned)
• Green bell peppers (thinly sliced)
• Cashew nuts
• Pecan nuts
• Feta cheese (sliced into little rectangles)
• Gherkins (sliced)
• Dates or raisins
• Dried apricots
• Cream cheese sauce (in mini bowls)

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Instructions:

Making the Salami /Cold Meat Flowers

1. Take a small glass (about 3 inches in diameter).

2. Lay one slice of cold meat halfway over the rim of the glass.

3. Overlap another cold meat slice halfway over the first slice, continuing around the rim of the glass.

4. Add layers (about 8–10 slices per flower) until the center is almost closed.

5. Gently press down the cold meat and flip the glass over onto the charcuterie board to release the flower. Repeat for the second flower.

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Arranging the Board (you can follow below or copy the picture):

1. Center Arrangement:
Place the two salami flowers and two chili cold meat flowers on the board in the desired place, make sure to leave space around them as they will form the centerpiece of the rest of the ingredients.

2. Cheese:

• Arrange wedges of Brie cheese in rows forming a semi-circle around one of the flowers.
• Place the Gouda cheese slices in between the Brie.
• Place cubes of chili-infused Gouda cheese around the board to fill the empty spaces.

3. Vegetables:

• Fill out 2 empty spaces with the carrots and green peppers.
• Scatter baby tomatoes inside 2 of the cold meat flowers for a pop of color.

4. Nuts:

• Place small piles of cashew nuts and pecan nuts next to the cheese sections.

5. Olives and Gherkins:

• Create a small cluster of mixed olives and halved gherkins around the edges.

6. Dried Fruits and Raisins:

• Place a line of dates or raisins down the center of the board in a curved shape.
• Add dried apricots near the edges for contrast.

7. Cream Cheese Sauce:

• Position the mini bowls of cream cheese sauce near the edge or around one of the meat flowers.

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Tips for Presentation:

• Alternate colors and textures to create visual interest.
• Ensure no two similar items are next to each other for balance.

Enjoy your beautifully arranged charcuterie board!