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.
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Save Recipe FAQs
- → What cheeses work best for this star board?
Soft Brie, nutty Comté, tangy Bleu d'Auvergne, and creamy Chèvre provide varied textures and flavors, balancing the cured meats and fruits elegantly.
- → Can I prepare the board in advance?
Arrange the components shortly before serving to maintain freshness of fruits and crispness of crackers. Some ingredients can be pre-sliced ahead of time.
- → How do I keep fruits fresh throughout the gathering?
Choose firm fruits and lightly toss them in lemon juice to prevent browning, especially pears and apples. Replace dried figs if fresh are unavailable.
- → Are there suggestions for pairing beverages?
Champagne, sparkling wine, or light-bodied reds complement the rich cheeses, cured meats, and sweet accents excellently for holiday occasions.
- → Can this board be adapted for vegetarians?
Omit cured meats and add more cheeses, roasted vegetables, marinated olives, or other plant-based appetizers for a satisfying vegetarian variation.
- → What serving tools are recommended?
Use sharp knives for slicing cheeses and fruits, small bowls or ramekins for jams and honey, and tongs or spreaders for easy serving.