Charcuterie - Life is too short for boring snacks

Is there anything better than a get-together of your favorite people while enjoying great food? We don't think so! Charcuterie boards are a great way to share a variety of food with minimal effort. Whether planning a gathering for the big game or a more intimate affair for Valentine's Day, Kuhn's Market has everything you need to put together a great charcuterie board that will save time and impress your guests.

What is charcuterie?
The word charcuterie is old, from the 15th century, and is derived from the French words chair, meaning flesh (or meat), and cuit, meaning cooked. It encompasses a wide variety of cured and processed meats. French shops owned by charcutiers became very popular for preparing and arranging these meats. Food historians have also linked charcuterie to the simple meals that field laborers often ate. Pairing the cured meats with bread, cheese, fruits, pickled vegetables, and beer or wine created a portable meal requiring no refrigeration and little to no utensils. Today, this is known as the "ploughman's lunch" and is a popular choice in many English pubs.

How did they become popular in the US?
The modern charcuterie board has resulted from many popular food trends over the centuries. Before the 1900s, upper-class American households, following the French and English traditions, often had a cheese course at the end of a meal. They would serve cheese with wine, fruit, and nuts. Towards the end of the 19th century, ordinary Americans began replacing the cheese course with dessert, especially those who did not make their cheese.

While formal affairs continued with the cheese course, informal dining began entering many American homes. In 1917, the cocktail party was invented by a St. Louis socialite, allowing large groups of people to casually get together and enjoy a considerable amount of alcohol and finger foods. Following the end of World War II, American soldiers shared their interest in European dishes they had "discovered" in France, Germany, Italy, and Greece. And by the 1940s and 50s, Americans began to add their twist to the Scandinavian smorgasbords. Fondue dips with pretzels and chips, crudité, and relish trays soon followed as easy entertaining options. But, it wasn't until the 1990s that the charcuterie board began to make a comeback, fueled by the opening of specialty stores and grocery stores offering a more diverse selection.

Creating a charcuterie board
One of the reasons charcuterie boards are so popular is because they are so easy to customize. You can find various options in any price range and make them as simple or elegant as you want. Because they photograph well, social media is full of beautiful, elaborate images of charcuterie boards. But don't let that deter you. Following a few simple rules, you can create your charcuterie board that looks just as good as it tastes.

Step One – Platter: You will want to use something sturdy and pretty as your base. The shape doesn't matter, but remember that the bigger the board, the more you will spend to fill it. A budget-friendly option would be a cutting board you use only for this purpose. Another option is to forgo the platter and use a small table if you are looking to entertain a crowd.

Step Two – Dishes: Create some structure using small jars or bowls on the board. These can contain honey, jellies, mustards, nuts, and olives. You get the idea. Use items you already have in your kitchen; don't worry if they don't match. Set these randomly on the board, leaving space between them.

Step Three – Add the Cheese: Because it's usually sliced a bit thicker, aim for around 1½ to 2 pounds of cheese to serve 8-10 people. You also want to include a mix of hard, soft, and blue cheeses and different flavors and textures. Parmigiano-reggiano, aged cheddar, brie, goat cheese, and gorgonzola are all good options. Evenly arrange the cheese around the board. Be sure to leave some room for scooping and slicing.

Step Four – Add the Meat: For 8-10 people, you'll want 1 to 1½ pounds of cured meats. Many of these meats are best when sliced very thin so that a few ounces will go a long way. Prosciutto, capicola, soppressata, and salami are favorites your guests are sure to love. To add variety, consider including sliced turkey, smoked salmon, or pâtés. Place the meats in little piles next to the cheeses.

Step Five – Bread and Crackers: If your board includes soft cheeses and jellies, you want to ensure you include various breads and crackers. Our stores offer multiple options, including baguettes, pita crackers, and naan. Don't worry if your crackers topple over. A bit of messiness adds to the beauty of the board.

Step Six – Fruits and Veggies: This is where you fill in any gaps on your board. Fresh options like grapes, radishes, and herbs work well here. If you don't have a lot of new possibilities, you can use dried fruits such as dates, apricots, or plums.

When creating your charcuterie board, there are no rules or limits. If you want something more intimate, consider adding strawberries, raspberries, and a variety of chocolate. If you have guests with dietary restrictions, including gluten-free and vegan options is easy. Remember to ensure enough spoons and knives to keep flavors from transferring and that you have small plates for your guests to put their food on. Allow your charcuterie board to come to room temperature for the best flavor before serving. It's also good to have extras ready when your board empties. However you are planning to entertain, remember to be creative and have fun!

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