Save A festive and dazzling Christmas charcuterie board featuring a selection of artisan cheeses, cured meats, fresh fruits, nuts, and sweet treats, arranged in a starburst pattern to delight guests at any holiday gathering.
Ingredients
- Cheeses: 150 g Brie cheese, sliced 150 g Comté, cubed 100 g Bleu dAuvergne, crumbled 100 g Chèvre (goat cheese), sliced
- Cured Meats: 120 g Jambon de Bayonne, thinly sliced 120 g Rosette de Lyon, sliced 100 g Saucisson sec, sliced
- Fresh Fruits: 1 bunch red grapes 1 ripe pear, sliced 1 ripe apple, sliced 1 handful fresh figs, halved (or dried figs if out of season) 1 handful pomegranate seeds
- Nuts & Extras: 60 g roasted almonds 60 g walnuts 40 g pistachios, shelled 40 g dried cranberries
- Accompaniments: 1 small jar fig or cherry jam 1 French baguette, sliced 1 small box assorted crackers 1 small pot honey
- Sweets (optional for festive touch): 50 g dark chocolate, broken into shards 50 g candied orange peel Festive star-shaped cookies (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Arrange the cheeses at the center of a large wooden board in the shape of a star, alternating types for color and texture contrast.
- Step 2:
- Fan out the cured meats around the cheeses, creating rays to mimic a starburst pattern.
- Step 3:
- Fill the spaces between meats and cheeses with clusters of grapes, slices of pear and apple, and halved figs. Sprinkle pomegranate seeds over the fruit for color.
- Step 4:
- Add nuts and dried cranberries in small piles around the board, ensuring even distribution for visual appeal and easy snacking.
- Step 5:
- Place small bowls or ramekins of jam and honey on the board.
- Step 6:
- Arrange sliced baguette and crackers along the edges or in separate baskets.
- Step 7:
- For a sweet finish, tuck shards of dark chocolate, candied orange peel, and festive cookies into open spaces on the board.
- Step 8:
- Serve immediately and encourage guests to mix and match flavors.
Save Required Tools
Large wooden or marble serving board Sharp knives (for cheese and fruit) Small bowls or ramekins Cheese spreaders or small spoons Serving tongs (optional)
Allergen Information
Contains milk (cheese) tree nuts (almonds walnuts pistachios) gluten (baguette crackers) and possible traces of soy (chocolate) Cured meats may contain nitrates/nitrites Always verify ingredient labels for allergens if serving guests with allergies.
Nutritional Information
Calories 390 Total Fat 23 g Carbohydrates 28 g Protein 17 g
Save This festive planche brings holiday cheer and easy grazing for your guests.
Common Questions
- → What cheeses are ideal for this board?
Soft Brie, nutty Comté, tangy Bleu d'Auvergne, and creamy Chèvre provide a balanced mix of textures and flavors ideal for this arrangement.
- → How should the cured meats be served?
Thinly slice Jambon de Bayonne, Rosette de Lyon, and Saucisson sec, fanning them out in rays to complement the cheeses visually and tastefully.
- → Can the fresh fruits be substituted seasonally?
Absolutely. Use fresh figs when available, or swap with dried figs. Other fruits like pears, apples, grapes, and pomegranate seeds add both color and sweetness.
- → What nuts work best on the board?
Roasted almonds, walnuts, and pistachios provide crunch and earthy notes that contrast nicely with soft cheeses and sweet fruits.
- → Are there vegetarian options for this arrangement?
Yes, omit cured meats and increase cheese variety or add roasted vegetables and marinated olives to keep the board rich and satisfying.
- → What accompaniments enhance the flavors?
Small bowls of fig or cherry jam, honey, sliced baguette, and assorted crackers complement the ingredients and add texture contrast.