It seems like charcuterie is all the rage these days. It is popping up on menus everywhere and you have likely heard it mentioned by someone you know, or while watching one of your favorite television shows. If you want to get hip to this trend and be the talk of the town after your next gathering, you need to make the perfect charcuterie board. We can help. Keep reading to learn how.
What is Charcuterie?
If you don’t know what charcuterie is, you likely aren’t going to be preparing a charcuterie board anytime soon. Even more so, you need to be able to pronounce what you are serving or ordering.
Let’s cover the first important thing about charcuterie, how to pronounce it. If you are wondering how to say “charcuterie”, you are not alone on this. It’s pronounced “shahr-kyu-tuh-ree.”
Now, it’s time to dig into what charcuterie is. Charcuterie is a French term for a type of cooking and generally refers to the culinary art of preparing meat products such as bacon, salami, ham, sausage, terrines, galantines, ballotines, pâtés, and confit. The French word for a person who practices charcuterie is Charcutier, which is generally translated as "pork butcher".
Typically, charcuterie is presented as an appetizer on a board alongside artisan cheese and nuts. Most commonly these days, many people use the term ‘charcuterie” to refer to an assortment of meats that are paired with different accompaniments, such as toast, fruit, cheese, and sauces.
Tips to Make the Perfect Charcuterie Board
If your mouth is watering like ours is just thinking about meats and cheese and all the other fun fixings that can be found on this type of board, you are likely ready to put one together for yourself. We can help.
When making and serving charcuterie there are really no rules. You can keep it as simple or make it as fancy as you would like. The possibilities are endless. The first step is finding a tray, board, plate, or platter to arrange your creation on, and then it’s time to go to work.
While a charcuterie board can contain whatever you prefer, the below are some of the most common items that are generally found with charcuterie.
- Cured and smoked meats
- Various cheeses
- Olives and nuts
- Dried or fresh fruits
- Crackers or small pieces of bread
- Jelly or jam
- Pickles
The key to making the perfect charcuterie board is making one that is unique and contains things that will draw people in. The fancier you get, the more likely you will be asked to be the charcuterie maker going forward.
The arrangement and display of your board is also important. Arrange all the items so they compliment each other. Try to alternate meat, cheese, fruit, and other items. Fill in empty spaces with nuts or fresh spices. Don’t be afraid to overfill your board. This can be eye catching. The more dramatic, the better.
Ready to get Started with your Charcuterie Board?
If you are ready to make the perfect charcuterie board, Five Star Sausage has all the items you need. We have a variety of unique and “talk of the town” worthy meats, cheeses, pickles, and more. Five Star Sausage is proud to offer premium sausage, meat, pickle, and cheese products to our customers. Be warned! Our premium products might just spoil all other experiences for you and make your charcuterie board one that no one else can match up with. That’s how amazing our products are.
Click here to begin your Five Star experience.
