Save It 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.
This board has become my go-to holiday appetizer as it impresses guests and requires minimal prep time while providing lots of variety.
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
- Arrange cheeses:
- Arrange the cheeses at the center of a large wooden board in the shape of a star, alternating types for color and texture contrast.
- Fan cured meats:
- Fan out the cured meats around the cheeses, creating rays to mimic a starburst pattern.
- Fill with fruits:
- 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.
- Add nuts and dried cranberries:
- Add nuts and dried cranberries in small piles around the board, ensuring even distribution for visual appeal and easy snacking.
- Place bowls of jam and honey:
- Place small bowls or ramekins of jam and honey on the board.
- Arrange baguette and crackers:
- Arrange sliced baguette and crackers along the edges or in separate baskets.
- Add sweets:
- For a sweet finish, tuck shards of dark chocolate, candied orange peel, and festive cookies into open spaces on the board.
- Serve:
- Serve immediately and encourage guests to mix and match flavors.
Save It This board always brings my family together as we share stories while enjoying varied flavors and textures.
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 (per serving, estimated for 10 servings)
Save It Enjoy creating your own stunning festive board that delights both eyes and palate.
Recipe FAQs
- → What cheeses are ideal for this holiday platter?
Soft and semi-hard cheeses such as Brie, Comté, Bleu d'Auvergne, and Chèvre work beautifully, offering a variety of textures and flavors.
- → How can I arrange the board for a starburst effect?
Place cheeses centrally in a star shape, then fan out cured meats in rays around them. Fill spaces with fruits and nuts to enhance the design.
- → Are there vegetarian options for this spread?
Yes, omit cured meats and add extra cheeses, roasted vegetables, or marinated olives for a satisfying vegetarian selection.
- → What accompaniments pair well with this spread?
Jams like fig or cherry, honey, sliced baguette, assorted crackers, and light sparkling wines or Champagne complement the flavors well.
- → How should nuts and dried fruits be incorporated?
Distribute roasted almonds, walnuts, pistachios, and dried cranberries in small clusters around the board for texture and visual appeal.
- → Can this platter be prepared in advance?
Yes, slice cheeses and cured meats ahead. Arrange fruits and nuts just before serving to maintain freshness and appearance.