Tried and true foods for entertaining can easily feature any of these guaranteed 7 Ways on HOW to Make the ULTIMATE Charcuterie & Cheese Boards.

For our family, no get-together would be complete without a huge spread of Italian antipasti that always includes ‘charcuterie’ or Italian cured meats, cheeses and olives, at the bare minimum.

Actually, this is the most fun and CREATIVE element to prepare for any holiday gathering and entertaining event.

If you’re looking for some ‘no stress’ foods to offer your guests, then you’ve now met one of your ‘go-to’ entertaining must-haves! Your own preferences dictate what you’ll include on the charcuterie boards: Loaded up cheese varieties, cured meats, fresh fruit, bread slices, nuts, and spreads. With this simple guide, you can put together an endless array of amazing flavor combinations that any of your guests will love!

Now don’t worry, I know, I know, I KNOW that the word “charcuterie” can sound a bit intimidating and culinarily-snobbish. But Italian food is just the OPPOSITE of snobbery. Nothing can be easier than putting together an antipasto ‘charcuterie’ platter (or boards). There is NO ART nor SCIENCE to prepping these mouth-watering platters!

Just remember: VARIETY!

My son, Jesse, created this charcuterie board (above) for a Christmas party that he had last month. The board was his Christmas gift from my husband and me last year. Isn’t it spectacular?

This is your SECRET SAUCE, my friends! Display a colorful variety of meats, cheeses, colors, textures, and flavors. If your group is smaller, simply use smaller platters or boards.

HOW TO MAKE THE ULTIMATE CHARCUTERIE AND CHEESE BOARD

Let’s get started! Time is fleeting, right?

• Find the right boards to build your platters. Large cutting boards, marble slabs, slate boards or ceramic platters are great options.
• Choose a variety of cured meats and salumi such as ItalianSopressata, Genoa salami, proscuitto, and pepperoni.
• Add a nice variety of cheeses with varying milk types and colors such a Mozzarella, Provolone, Fontina, Parmesan, Pecorino, Asiago and Gorgonzola.
• Add some olives and colorful antipasti such as Italian Castelvetrano Olives, Italian Olive Salad, Roasted Red Peppers, and Artichoke Hearts.
• Add a few jams and marmalades with a variety of crackers and breadsticks such as fig jam.
• Mix in a colorful variety of fresh and dried fruits.
• Use a variety of nuts such as Italian pignoli, almonds, pistachios, and pecans.
• Finally, presentation is everything, so add some pretty finishing touches such as fresh sprigs of rosemary or basil.
• And most important of all, ENJOY putting together your visually delightful platters and boards!

First, pick your favorite serving pieces: Ceramic platters and/or wooden boards!

Grab several of your nicest platters, whether wooden or ceramic . . . we like to mix them up and use both.   Any of the following will do nicely:

• Wooden boards or cutting boards
• Your favorite china or ceramic platters
• Slate boards
• Marble slab boards

Once you’ve got your platters and boards, start with Italian Cured Meats, the basis for any Charcuterie Board

Include the classic cured meats:

• Genoa salami
• Cappicola
• Mortadella
• Prosciutto
• Pepperoni

Next, Add The Cheese:

• Parmiggiano
• Asiago
• Pecorino
• Fontina
• Fresh bufalo Mozzarella
• Provolone

Then Add Fresh & Cured Savory Vegetables & Olives

A charcuterie / antipasto spread would not be complete without these delights:

• Roasted red peppers
• Freshly cut carrots, celery, and any favorite raw vegetables such as small cherry tomatoes (San Marzano is the best variety), mushrooms, etc.
• Olives, both green Castelvetrano and black olives
• Artichoke hearts
• Marinated onions and mushrooms
• Giardiniera (Jars of marinated Italian vegetables)
• And my family always adds herring fillets

Nuts can’t be forgotten either!

Not only are they delicious and easy for guests to snack on, but they’re good for us!

• Almonds
• Pistachios
• Pecans or Walnuts

Now Add Some SWEETS!

• Fresh grapes and berries
• Fresh cantaloupe or honeydew
• Fresh and/or dried cranberries
• Chocolate bars, broken up
• Fig jam
• Honey
• Red pepper jelly

Finally, Add a Variety of Artisan Breads:

• Good, Crusty Artisan Breads, sliced or cut up into cubes
• Focaccia bread
• Breadsticks
• Crackers

We’re honored to be part of your culinary world and share these tips and recipes with ‘amore’ from our cucina and acreage to you.  

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Don’t forget to take a photo of your charcuterie board and send it to us so that we can share it with everyone here. This helps others know about your experience too!

Or snap a photo and share it on Instagram and tag us @italianbellavita

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