Charcuterie boards making your menu feel stiff? Break out from meat and cheese uniformity with creative spreads that take your guests on a gustatory journey. Here are some inspired ways to escape the charcuterie doldrums, freshen up your menu, and create social media-friendly spreads.
Break Into Breakfast
They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but does it have to be served on a plate? Bring a bit of bounce to brunch with a breakfast board. Spreads of bacon, fresh fruit, cured meats, pastries, and waffle wedges create a fun and sharable dining experience.
Consider devoting entire boards to bagels, pancakes, or biscuits and accompanying toppings like syrup, cream cheese, and herb butter. And practically any platter could benefit from the addition of cheese. Simplify the effort with West Creek® Wisconsin Cheese Kit Cheeses, a blend of cheese wedges that include Italian-style Fontina, semi-hard Spanish-inspired Queso de Cesta, and Alpine-style Gruyere.
Just Desserts
On the opposite end of the meal, consider a board of pre-made desserts. Spreads of chocolate chip cookies, small portions of cake, and ramekins of ice cream allow guests to sample and share. Sweet Encore® Individual Serve Desserts, such as Chocolate Lava Cake and the Lil’ Red Velvet Cake, make creating a dessert board a snap.
The addition of strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries will lend a bit of color to your spread, while chocolate and raspberry jam dips only enhance the flavor combinations and invite guests to mix and match. Give your dessert board some international flare with ¡Adelante!™ Cajeta-Filled Churros, which offer a crisp, authentic bite; Piancone® Italian Gelato & Sorbet for a creamy, premium touch that pairs easily with other sweets; or Roma® Tiramisu for a classic indulgence that adds upscale appeal without extra prep.
Take a Trip
Boards aren’t just a collection of food; they’re a way to take your guests on a culinary trip without the headaches of actual travel. Skip the TSA line and head to Europe with a spread of smoked salmon, cream cheese, pate, mini quiches, and Entice Culinary® Filo Wrapped Asparagus. Consider an Around the World Board that incorporates ¡Adelante! Mini Chicken Tacos with bold savory fillings, Entice® Thai Cauliflower Bites for a crispy plant-based forward option with global flavor, and Asian Pride® Egg Rolls that deliver a familiar, crowd-pleasing touch.
Embrace the tastes of specific regions within the United States. A Southern-inspired spread of thinly sliced country ham, pimento cheese, bread and butter pickles, Texas caviar, pepper jelly, fire crackers, and pickled okra is a sure hit. Adopt the spirit of the Southwest by creating a platter of chili, Frito pie, black bean salad, and cheese-smothered enchiladas.
Consider the Calendar
Food boards can be a great way to embrace local ingredients and seasonality. Consider the calendar and which local ingredients are available to you. Soft shell crab-season can easily lend itself to a platter with remoulade, lemon-herb butter, and aioli alongside roasted asparagus spears and succotash. Get inspired by the summertime tomato season and craft spreads of BLT bites, caprese salad, and bruschetta.
Get Social
Marketing is everything in the modern economy, and social media is one of the quickest, cheapest ways to promote your business. Make sure your board is ready for its closeup and advertise it on social media. Invite influencers to try your latest offering. Consider partnering with a local brewery or winery on a drink pairing to go with your board to garner some cross-promotion.
Charcuterie is a recipe for creativity. Consider the board a palette for your brand’s colors, flavors, and textures and make the most out of your inventory. Welcome aboard!