There is nothing more practical than welcoming friends with a charcuterie board to snack on while chatting. But if you think that the concept is restricted to cheese and cured meats, you are mistaken: the traditional cold cut board has evolved to include delicacies such as jams, dried and fresh fruits, chocolates, and whatever else your imagination dictates. Want to know how to impress when receiving guests for any meal?
The Grazing Table
The trend of playing with colours and textures when serving on boards comes from Australia, and is called a grazing table. The tidbits served can be adapted to various occasions. For breakfast, for example, you can include cheese, yogurt, fruit, butter cookies, waffles, croissants and even American-style pancakes, accompanied by jam, butter and honey. To drink, serve coffee, tea and juices.
For lunch and dinner, exchange the bread and cookies for quiches, pies, crudité vegetables, pâtés (eggplant, sundried tomatoes, olives) and sweets like chocolates, glazed fruit, ganache and others.
How to set it up?
Almost anything goes when it comes to setting the table, as long as the items are cold or at room temperature. For a simple board, a good tip is to arrange the food from the center to the edges, placing what is darker in the middle and what is lighter at the ends.
Here is how you can set up a beautiful spread:
- Choose Your Foundation: Start with a clean, flat surface. This could be a large table covered in parchment paper, or for smaller gatherings, a beautiful serving board.
- Build Your Structure: Begin by placing your larger, anchor items first. This includes bowls of dips, small plates of bigger cheeses, or clusters of breads. A good tip is to arrange the food from the center to the edges. Place darker items, like salami or dark grapes, closer to the middle, and lighter items, like light cheeses or crackers, towards the ends. This creates a visually appealing flow.
- Add Layers and Levels: To make your board look abundant and inviting, create different heights. Use jam jars, small bowls, ramekins, or even small stacks of crackers to serve spreads or tidbits that might roll away, such as olives, cherry tomatoes, or nuts.
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Strategic Placement of Meats and Cheeses:
- Meats: Arrange cured meats in various ways. You can fold thin slices into ribbons, roll them into cones, or simply drape them elegantly. Fan them out or create little "rivers" of meat on the board.
- Cheeses: Cut cheeses into different shapes like cubes, wedges, or slices. Place harder cheeses near softer ones for variety. Make sure to leave a little space for your guests to easily pick them up.
- Introduce Freshness and Colour: Fill in the gaps with fresh fruits like berries, grapes, figs, or sliced apples. Add colorful vegetables like cucumber slices, carrot sticks, or colourful bell peppers. These add vibrancy and a refreshing contrast.
- Incorporate Crunch and Texture: Place crackers, breadsticks, toasted baguette slices, nuts, and pretzels around the board. These provide a satisfying crunch and complement the softer items. Sprinkle smaller items like dried fruits, seeds, or a few sprigs of fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme) to fill any remaining spaces and add aromatic touches. These small details really make the board pop.
Remember to plan for an average of 150 to 200 grams of cold cuts per person – if you want to serve toast and crackers to go with them, consider 100 grams for each guest to ensure everyone is satisfied! Once you've sorted the portions, it's time to think about how to serve them with style and precision.
For cutting cheeses properly, you'll need the right tool to ensure each slice or cube is done perfectly. In this case, the Tramontina Harmoniza 6" Cheese Knife could be just the tool for the job. Its stainless steel blade handles various cheeses with ease, while the comfortable handle ensures a smooth cut every time.
Don’t forget the serving board
Whichever cold cuts you intend to serve, don’t forget: you need a serving board! As modern as the trend of grazing tables are the serving boards in our Cutting Board collection!
To truly impress your guests and make serving a breeze, consider these bestselling Tramontina options:
- Tramontina Provence African Mahogany Cheese Serving Board: This item is beautiful for serving, adding personality and elegance to your reception. The stone is ideal for cutting high-quality soft cheese and the wood adds charm and sophistication to any room.
- Tramontina Kitchen Serving Board: This versatile rectangular board in natural teak wood is a timeless choice. It's durable, knife friendly, and adds a touch of warmth to any presentation.
- Tramontina Barbecue Cutting and Serving Board: While designed for barbecues, its generous size and robust teak wood make it excellent for a substantial charcuterie display. It offers a protective layer that enhances its look and feel.
Ready to elevate your next gathering with a beautifully crafted charcuterie or grazing board? With Tramontina's quality serving essentials, you'll not only impress your guests but also make the whole process enjoyable.
