Dear Friends,
The holidays are (almost) upon us! The Gourmet Girls wish you much cheer and good health, and a stress-free season all around. Maybe you’ll be fall or winter camping, or perhaps you’ll be entertaining family and friends at home. Whatever the case, we have the perfect solution for an eye-catching and irresistible charcuterie board (aka antipasto) that will keep your guests conversing while the main meal is being prepared. This is a creative solution to not worrying about making a number of appetizers. All you need is a platter or charcuterie board and your imagination. You can adapt it to whatever number of servings you like.
Here is our suggestion found in The Gourmet Girls Go Camping Cookbook (yes, this is a perfect idea for camping, too!).
To create a pleasing looking gourmet charcuterie board, start with the meats: salami, dried sausage, pepperoni, and prosciutto are all good choices. We like to add a flavorful pate like a duck liver or country-style pate. Next are the cheeses. One hard cheese and one soft cheese of different shapes add to the presentation. We think a variety of olives as well as dried and fresh fruit are a must. Fruit is seasonal, so make your choices accordingly. Unusual fruits like kiwi, dragon fruit, and persimmons give extra color to a charcuterie board. Additional trimmings could include marinated artichokes, peppers, carrots, and, of course, cornichons.
Have fun arranging your selections, adding any items like jams, nut butters, and mustards. Then put out the bread and crackers and let your guests enjoy!
Cheers,
Gail, Denise, and Linsdey
The Gourmet Girls on Fire