Who doesn’t love a charcuterie board? It’s the ultimate sharing platter, with an abundance of delicious delights to be enjoyed. The only problem is that most of us don’t get the opportunity to enjoy one very often. So when you do have the chance, it’s important to make the most of it. That’s why we have come up with these 5 tips on how you can get the most out of your charcuterie board picnic.
5 Tips Charcuterie Board Picnic Aesthetic
Be selective with your food choice
There are so many wonderful foods around which can be used for a charcuterie board. We’ve all seen those photos of fancy tables groaning under the weight of the world’s largest selection of cheese, meats and pickles. However, there is a fine line between having a well-balanced selection and just overloading your board with food.
If you are making your selection based on what looks beautiful rather than what tastes good, it is easy to overdo it. With that in mind, here are some of our favourite food combinations to get you started.
- Cheese: Blue cheeses work particularly well with meats as they have a creamy texture that goes well with the smooth texture of the meats. Stilton and Cheddar are also a classic combination that works well.
- Meats: The classic combination of ham and cheese is a must for any charcuterie board. A good variety of other meats, such as salami, chorizo, and paté, will also work very well.
- Fruit: Fresh herbs and fruit make excellent accompaniments to a charcuterie board, particularly grapes and apples.
- Sauces: You don’t need to limit yourself to one kind of sauce. A couple of different options will add to both the visual appeal and the variety of your board. For example, you could mix a tomato chutney with honey mustard.
Don’t forget the cheese!
Although the classic combination of ham and cheese is a must for any charcuterie board, it’s easy to forget about the importance of including cheese. It’s not just a nice addition to the visual appeal of your board, but it also has a very important role in terms of flavor and texture. Picking the right type of cheese can transform your board and make it stand out from the crowd.
If you’re stuck for ideas, why not try one of these classic combinations?
- Cheddar and Stilton: This is a combination that works very well both on and off a charcuterie board. It is a great example of how two very different types of cheese can work well together to create a unique and tasty flavor.
- Gouda and blue: You’ll find this combination used a lot in the culinary world. Gouda is a type of cheese that is incredibly versatile and one that works well with almost any meat. Blue is a very creamy cheese that goes particularly well with ham.
- Brie and apricot: This classic combination makes for a great example of how you can combine two different types of cheese to produce an even tastier result.
Bring a big blanket and make it a picnic
If you are lucky enough to be hosting your charcuterie board picnic in the warmer months, we’ve got one piece of advice for you: turn it into a picnic. Not only will this make the experience more enjoyable, but it will also go a long way towards reducing the amount of food you have to bring. As well as a blanket, you’ll need some plates, cutlery, and a selection of napkins. Make sure you have plates big enough to fit a decent amount of food on each plate. One big plate stacked high with food can easily become a messy disaster.
If you want to make it even easier for your guests, why not try one of these set menus?
- The Ultimate Charcuterie Board: This serves 2 people and includes various meats and cheeses.
- Fork and Knife Board: This one is designed to serve 4 people.
- The Classic: This is designed to serve 2 people and is a combination of meats and cheeses.
Pack some finger-food to complement the board
When you have finished building your charcuterie board and are ready to dig in, you may find that it is a little too difficult to eat. You don’t want to put your carefully-selected cheeses in danger of being smeared across the picnic blanket, after all. Rather than having a couple of people awkwardly trying to eat these foods with a fork, why not pack some finger-food to complement the board? Some nice slices of bread, olives, and maybe a few slices of tomato would work well. If you want to go the extra mile, you could even make your own bread. Not only does this make for a great visual addition to the table, but it is also easy to do. All you’ll need is a bread machine and some dough.
Go for quality over quantity when selecting your meats
We’ve said it once and we’ll say it again: don’t overdo it! It is easy to get carried away with the amount of meat you choose for your board. When you get to the grocery store, you may find yourself having a bit of a stretch to fit everything onto your board. However, this is a very easy mistake to make. When selecting the meats for your board, you should aim for around 2-3 types. If you select too many, it will end up looking like a mini-butcher’s shop. You’ll want to pick a good selection of meats, but it’s also important not to get carried away.
Aim for something like this:
- Ham: Ham is a very versatile meat and one that can be enjoyed on many different occasions. It is easy to find a good quality ham that will go well on your charcuterie board.
- Salami: Salami is another meat that is incredibly versatile. There are so many different types of salami that you can pick from.
- Cheese: Cheese is an essential part of any charcuterie board. It is important to pick a good quality cheese, as it will add to the overall experience.
Final Words on Charcuterie Board Picnic Aesthetic Tips
If you are lucky enough to be hosting a charcuterie board picnic, it is all about making it a truly memorable occasion. Make this your time to shine with the perfect charcuterie board picnic aesthetic.
One of the best ways to do this is to go all out with your food selection. While we have covered the basics, there are some creative ways in which you can spruce up your board. Why not try creating your own cheese board, or why not try your hand at making your own bread? These are easy ways to make your board stand out from the crowd and transform an ordinary picnic into a truly great one.
Keep your picnic drinks perfectly cold or warm with our Muggo Bottle. It comes with a sensitive temperature sensor that detects the drink’s temperature. Touch the top to see an LCD screen with your drink’s temperature.
