Cheese and Charcuterie Boards
Preparing Cheese and Charcuterie Boards for the Fall and Holiday Entertaining Season
Who doesn’t love indulging in a cheese and charcuterie board during the cozy fall and winter months? When I entertain, I always make sure to pair my cheeses and meats alongside my signature jellies, jams, and mustards for extra flavor and excitement. Below are some of my go-to pairings that you can easily draw from when guests come over.
Strawberry Jalapeno Jam: This jam pairs perfectly with triple cream cheeses such as Brie, L’Explorateur, Saint André, and Delice de Bourgogne. Pair with prosciutto to balance the sweet/hot of the jam and the rich, fatty cheese.
Bourbon Blueberry Jam: This jam pairs beautifully with goat cheese, Halloumi, and Ricotta and provides a nice contrast to salty meats such as speck and prosciutto. Pair with harder cheeses, such as cheddar, manchego, and parmesan.
Hot Pepper Jelly: Many people will pair hot pepper jelly with cream cheese with crackers, which, in my opinion, is the easiest appetizer you can make and a huge crowd pleaser. This jell also pairs perfectly with manchego, Gouda, blue cheese and aged cheddar. Craving a gooey Brie? Go for it—the cheese also pairs wonderfully with hot pepper jelly.
Bourbon Apple Butter: Nothing is more early fall-appropriate than apple, and I like to pair my bourbon apple butter with cheese including Camembert, Aged Mimolette, Blue d”Auvergne, and SarVecchio.
Bourbon Honey Mustard: Craving something savory? I suggest serving this mustard alongside prosciutto (set out two types), pepperoni, salami, fatty sausage, and country ham pate for a hearty spread.
Don’t Forget the Rest!
Other ingredients to add to your shopping cart include pickles (I love cornichons and sweet and spicy pickles), olives (pimento stuffed olives are the best!), red grapes, Marcona almonds, and assorted crackers (the fancier, the better!). Finish things off by setting out some spiced pecans, too, which you can make using my recipe. Looking for something extra? Our Boozy Cherries are delicious chopped and spread over goat cheese with a chopped walnut garnish.
Additionally, have fun and be creative with the arrangement and the platters you use. Showcase your personality, whether that means purchasing a specialty charcuterie board or repurposing platters passed down from family. No one can resist great food, but any entertainer knows the right presentation will always make a major impact, too!
