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Make the Best Italian Charcuterie Board
How To Make the Best Italian Charcuterie Board
How to Make the Best Italian Charcuterie Board. So, you want to make a nice appetizer to serve with a few drinks? Of course, it has to be simple, quick and delicious. Because Italians do a daily Aperitivo, they perfected La Dolce Vita (the Good Life). And we can take their expertise and make it ours too. Of course, Italians will be happy. After all, duplicating this relaxed, stress-free time with family or friends is what makes people feel like a loving community. After all, if you are relaxed, so will everyone else.
What is a Charcuterie Board?
My Italian Grandfather was famous for his HUGE Antipasti Boards. Because they were literally a card table size. And lovingly put together. Actually, Grandpa Tom would gather all the ingredients, grab a beer/glass of Chianti and perform culinary magic. As us grandchildren would come by and grab a slice of prosciutto or cheese, he would smile and say, “Mangia”! While today these food boards are better known by the French word Charcuterie (“shar-coo-tree”). Originally meaning the type of preparation of cured meats. Specifically, Charcuterie Boards are a mixture of a variety of food tastes, textures and colors. So, presentation is super important. As it is said: “You eat first with your eyes”. As I grew up eating this deliciousness, can show you how to make a yummy, super simple Appetizer Centerpiece. After all, it’s in my genes.
What You Need to Make Your Charcuterie Board
OK, first decide on what you will use as the board. As many people like the rustic look of wooden boards, this is an obvious choice. Also, decide on size. Specifically, how many people are you feeding? Is this just drinks and an appetizer? Or is this meant to be lunch or dinner? Usually, I make two Boards. Because there is also always someone who is allergic to nuts, is gluten free or vegetarian.
Some Recommendations. You will need: Wooden or Marble Board, or an Italian Platter, Wine Glasses, Ramekins.
Italian Charcuterie Board Grocery List
How to make the best Italian Charcuterie Board Shopping List. Similar shopping list for both an appetizer Charcuterie Board or as a main course. Rather, just different amounts of food.
Since a Charcuterie Board features veggies, fruits, meats and cheeses, go to the store that has the freshest ingredients. This is the secret. Italians will always serve what is fresh and local. And that is why people from all over the world, consistently say Italian food is one of their favorite cuisines.
Foods to Pick Up
- 3 cheeses (1 creamy Taleggio, 1 aged like Pecorino Romano, and a container of small, Ciliegine size, fresh mozzarella balls
- 3 Meats: Genoa Salami, Prosciutto (sliced very thin), and a Soppressata. This is a Southern Italian favorite. Made with coarsely ground smoked pork, garlic, spicy red pepper.
- Olives – Mediterranean, mix of green and black olives
- Fruits and Veggies: small grape tomatoes, figs, strawberries, blackberries, Basil, grapes
- Dips/Condiments: fig or apricot jam, pesto, mustard or honey
- Consider: small pickles, artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, marinated mushrooms
- Crackers and Bread (Rustic Italian, sliced thin or a few Baguettes)
Best Italian Charcuterie Board – Putting It Together Video
How to make the Best Italian Charcuterie Board simply! Take a look at our short video. See, super easy and scrumptious. This is what makes most people nervous – how to put the Charcuterie Board together without looking like a dog’s breakfast. Problem solved.
And for cocktail recommendations, see Aperitivo for 15 Italian cocktails to make your meal even more fun!
Charcuterie Board Ideas/Themes
So many ways to change up the theme. In a French mood? Especially easy to switch out Italian foods for their French equivalents. Therefore, pick up Brie, aged Provence Herb cheese…Feeling Spanish foods? Then, a spicy Chorizo pairs incredibly well with sweet fruits. Especially kiwi, strawberries, some dates, hummus, pistachios…endless possibilities!
Dessert Boards, Breakfast Options…perhaps Charcuterie Boards will become an entire meal choice…a girl can dream.
If you enjoyed this recipe, take a look at Molto Delicious Italy or 3 Days in Rome – virtual travel at its best. 😊
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Make the Best Italian Charcuterie Board
How to Make the Best Italian Charcuterie Board. Italians have perfected the Good Life (La Dolce Vita) and it all starts with relaxing around the table. Great food, made simply. This is for an Appetizer course, serving 4-5. Add optional ingredients and double Appetizer portions if making into a main meal. Buon Appetito!
Ingredients
Cheeses
- 1 ½ lb Italian soft cheese like Talleggio
- 1 8 oz container Ciliegine size fresh Mozzarella balls Small, cherry size fresh Mozzarella balls, in liquid
- 1 ½ lb Hard Italian Tartufo cheese wedge Also called Truffle (or a Pecorino Romano)
Meats
- 1 3 oz pkg Sliced Italian Salami Try Finocchiona Fennel Salami
- 1 5 oz pkg Prosciutto Panino Proscuitto Wrapped Mozzarella
- 2 3 oz pkgs Proscuitto di Parma make sure it's very thinly sliced
- 1 pkg Soppressata salumni Southern Italian w/garlic, red pepper, wine
Veggies/Fruits
- 1 pkg Strawberries or Raspberries
- 1 pkg Blackberries
- 1 pkg Small, grape tomatoes
- 1 Bunch Italian Basil
- 1 pkg Figs
- 1 pkg Baby Bella Mushrooms
Accompaniments
- 1 jar Fig or Apricot jam or Pesto
- 1 jar Medittereannean olives Mix of green and black olives
- 1 small pkg Almonds, Pistachios or Candied Walnuts
- 1 loaf Rustic Italian Bread or 2 Baguettes
- 1 box Crackers Try Rosemary
- 1 small pkg Dried fruit like apricots, figs, dates Optional
- 1 jar Roasted Red Peppers or Marinated Mushrooms Optional
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Related Posts
Q – More Charcuterie Boards for upcoming Spring & Summer months please! These here look delicious and can change the ingredients for our dietary restrictions. Thank you!
I always made charcuterie boards and “threw” everything on a board together. But your recipe helped me buy better ingredients that go together for a much more delectable flavor. I cannot wait to expand my board into other cuisines or meals, like German styled or brunch. I look forward to trying more recipes from your blog.
Yum: German food Charcuterie Board!! Would be perfect for Octoberfest time with a great German beer! #germanfood #charcuterieboard
Thank you so much! Please share your boards – would love to see see brunch or German style charcuterie boards!
Oh this looks amazing! Wish I could make one look like that!
I am posting a comment to be entered in your contest for thanking us for 1K followers! Wish me luck!
Good luck!! You can make this – super fun to make too!
Oh this looks amazing! Wish I could make one look like that!
I am posting a comment to be entered in your contest for thanking us for 1K followers !
Hello – Good Luck in winning the contest!
What great tips for putting together a charcuterie board, Cindi! The dog’s breakfast reference made me laugh because I’m sure that would be what mine would look like if I tried putting one together. 🙂
Haha Becky! I am sure your board would not look like a “dog’s breakfast”! We love Charcuterie Boards because they are so versatile – great for watching games together, vacation happy hours, Tuesday nights…so glad that you enjoyed! 🙂
Great post, Cindi. Love the look of this charcuterie board. Where I come from, a charcuterie board consists 100% of meat, usually pork. Your feature pic has a lot less meat on it, but that’s a good thing, of course!!
Taleggio is one of my favourite cheeses. First time I hear of Soppressata, but sounds like I have to put this one on the list. Now I understand your fascination with Italy better, you’re basically part-Italian. 🙂 You must’ve mentioned before, but memorey like a goldfish.
Thank you SO much Stefan for your awesome comment! Sorry it has taken me a long time to post a reply.
As I am half Italian and half German, it was always so fun to see the different Boards my Oma and Nonno (German Grandma and Italian Grandfather) would make! Definitely both culinary masterpieces! I LOVE Bavarian foods and miss them dearly this past year. Have actually planned a trip to Italy with a stopover in Munich just for the food! 🙂
We love Italian Charcuterie Boards and make them at home on a regular basis, especially when entertaining. I don’t usually add strawberries but I like that idea! Thank you for the inspiration.
So glad that you stopped by and enjoyed our Charcuterie Board post 🙂 A favorite for entertaining and a lot of fun to make too!
Oh this brings back such great memories of vacations from yesteryear with family! Great blog post! Your photos capture the essence of the moment & the video is a nice addition! Makes me want to go out and get all the ingredients and make one right now!
Oh such a great post, especially with warm summer weather upon us soon! Nice to make ahead before the guests arrive! I love the photos of all the fresh produce at the market and you on your Vespa! Nice to hear about sweet memories of Grandpa Tom making his famous Antinpasi! I loved the added touch of the video! Please do more of them! Now just to gather all those fresh, amazing ingredients and make one! Oh and also to revisit your post on Apertivo to go along with it! Manga & Cin Cin!
So kind of you to leave us such a lovely comment – thank you very much! Charcuterie and a glass of wine is my favorite dinner…now working on a Brunch Board!