With V-Day just around the corner, many people enjoy celebrating with their loved ones, kids or a set of close friends. Whether you’re married, dating or throwing a Galentine’s Day bash, these 11 best Valentine’s Day charcuterie board ideas aim to please everyone!
What is charcuterie?
Charcuterie translates to “pork-butcher shop,” or the products a butcher makes. A butcher might offer meats cut to serve, paired along with nuts, fruits, pate and cheese on a board. In French, the person who prepared the meat, was the “Charcutier.” Wondering how to pronounce this fun way of serving friends little meats and treats? It’s pronounced shahr-COO-tree.
What can I use if I don’t have a charcuterie board?
Cutting boards make a good board to serve your finger food and appetizers on. Try using a fun serving platter that is oversized. It doesn’t have to specifically be meant for charcuterie.
What usually goes on a charcuterie board?
There are so many fun ways to enjoy a charcuterie board! It can include sweet or savory foods, or a mixture of both. Sometimes they include just candy and other sweet treats and other times you’ll find a swath of vegetables. Sauces and dips, such as a flavorful raspberry dip, can be included on the boards.
How do you style a charcuterie board?
This’s the fun part! It’s all about having fun with how you display the foods. Often you will find the foods appearing to be “spilled out” on the board in a haphazard, yet orderly, design. Crackers, assorted piles of veggies or chocolates are arranged in colorful piles to grab people’s attention and allow them to hand select what seems like the most appetizing food. Here are some delicious and fun charcuterie ideas: assorted cheeses, deli meats, pickled foods such as olives and pickles. Fresh fruits, assorted nuts, snack mixes, popcorn, crostinis, crackers, chips, candies, jellies and dips are great options, too. You can choose to get fancy and fold the individual meat slices to appear like petals on a flower, or use cute colorful bowls to separate the foods. Creating fun shapes out of meats and cheeses could be a cute option for holidays as well. Use a Christmas tree cut-out for a holiday board or a heart for this Valentine’s day. Most of the fun comes from designing the assortment of foods to make it more visually appealing!
How far in advance can you put together a charcuterie board?
Prepare your charcuterie board a few hours in advance. If you have foods that are prepackaged and not homemade, those are easy to add last minute, such as crackers or chips. Be sure to put plastic wrap over the board so it stays fresh and doesn’t fall off the edges. Don’t let charcuterie boards overwhelm you! They don’t have to be 100% store bought or 100% homemade. Enjoy a little of both or whatever works best for you. Also, these are perfect for birthday celebrations and any holiday under the sun. Who doesn’t love finger foods and easy appetizers for a light meal or party food?
