Building the Perfect Charcuterie Board
My name is Jasmine, Owner and Operator of Prosciutto + Pine Charcuterie in Port Moody, BC and today I am going to give you all the steps you’ll need to create the charcuterie board of your dreams, with the help of COBS Bread Sourdough!
1. CHEESE
Choose a variety of soft, aged, goat, marbled, and/or spicy cheeses; you can’t really go wrong here! I would typically aim for about 2oz of each cheese per guest. Unwrap your cheeses and space them out on your board.
2. MEAT
My go-to deli meats for a charcuterie board are prosciutto, genoa salami, and farmer’s sausage! Transform your salami into a rose using this viral TikTok hack and a champagne glass! One by one, layer the slices of salami on top of one another on the rim of your glass, overlapping just slightly. Continue the same process until you have the desired size of a rose – typically takes about 8-12 slices. You will want to press the pieces of salami onto the edge of your wine glass, so it sits tightly. Flip the champagne glass and meat over onto your board to create the form of a rose!
Gently fold your prosciutto into a ribbon, and slice the farmer’s sausage on an angle with nice long cuts. Arrange around your board next to the cheeses!
3. COBS BREAD SOURDOUGH
Looking for the perfect vessel for your meat and cheese? Look no further!
COBS Bread has an incredible selection of sourdough breads available at each of their bakeries. Sourdough Loaf, Sunflower Flax Sourdough Loaf, Sourdough Buns, Sourdough baguettes (available at select bakeries), and the Sourdough Vienna, any of these is sure to be your new favourite charcuterie must-have! There is TRULY nothing better than freshly baked sourdough! Did you know that COBS Bread sourdough is also vegan and nut-free? Now you do!
Pro tip – get it sliced! Your local COBS Bread bakery will give you the option to slice it regularly or slice it thick. Go with your gut on this one.
4. CRACKERS/CRISPS
Pick whatever tickles your fancy! The sturdier the better to spread those soft cheeses on. Variety is the key here.
5. SEASONAL FRUIT
Grapes, berries, figs, kiwi, and passion fruit serve as delicious and healthy palate cleansers as well as bringing some colour and brightness to your board. Dried apricots can be a great addition, too!
6. SPICY JELLY + MUSTARD + HONEYCOMB
These are must-haves in my opinion! Elevate your soft cheese and baguette combos with your favourite spicy jelly! Grainy mustard is heavenly with farmer’s sausage and aged white cheddar. If you can find honeycomb at your local farmer’s market or health food store, I promise you won’t regret it.
My personal favourite bite: sourdough, brie, prosciutto, and a chunk of honeycomb!
7. NUTS / CHOCOLATE / OLIVES
Fill empty spaces around your board with nuts, dark chocolate, and olives! Pistachios and chocolate covered almonds are always a nice touch if there aren’t any guests with nut allergies.
8. HERBS + FLOWERS
Decorate your masterpiece with fresh greenery like rosemary, thyme, and sage; and garnish the board with edible flowers if you can get your hands on some!
VOILA! You have yourself an Instagram-worthy charcuterie board! With endless possibilities and combinations to indulge in – you really can’t go wrong. Your taste buds will thank you, as will anyone lucky enough to graze with you! If you make your own charcuterie with these tips be sure to tag @cobsbread and @prosciuttoandpine so we can admire your board!
Not feeling creative enough? Don’t have time? Head over to @prosciuttoandpine on Instagram and order your very own custom-built charcuterie box today!