GROUPON GUIDE TO CHATTANOOGA
Charcuterie is my love language. If there's an event where a cheese platter isn't welcome, I have yet to find it. Book club? Thanksgiving? A Monday night? Make a cheese board! However, sculpting the perfect setup for your guests (and your Instagram aesthetic) can be a bit overwhelming. To prevent an emotional breakdown in the deli aisle, use our checklist to craft the best charcuterie board.
Must-Have Tools
- Charcuterie board. Think wooden or bamboo, something rustic. Handles are always a plus. Pro tip: opt for a board with ridges to hold circular fruit in place, otherwise you'll have some runaway blueberries.
- Cheese slicer. Put those kitchen knives away. A professional cutter slices perfectly every time. Consider it a must-have tool if you want your cheese to look as good as it tastes.
- Cutlery set. Mini knives and spoons aren't just cute, they're practical too. You don't want your guests breaking crackers into soft cheeses directly, which looks messy and unappetizing.
- Small serving bowls. Make sure all of the fixings that aren't supposed to touch, don't. Small serving bowls add a layer of chicness to your board and also allow you to quarantine specific ingredients to avoid a contamination of flavors.
Edible Essentials
There are so many food options and so many grocery aisles to cover. Here's a list of some of the most crowd-pleasing ingredients to add to your masterpiece.
Assorted Cheeses
- Soft: brie, goat, mozzarella balls
- Semi-soft: havarti, provolone, muenster
- Hard: manchego, asiago, smoked gouda, sharp cheddar
Fresh Fruit
- Green or red grapes
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
- Blackberries
- Pear slices
Cured Meats
- Prosciutto
- Summer sausage
- Hard salami bites
- Mortadella
Savory Veggies
- Roasted red peppers
- Green or black olives
- Spicy pickles
Breads, Spreads, and More
- Thinly sliced french bread
- Crackers or breadsticks
- Fruit spreads or honey to drizzle
- Candied walnuts or almonds
- Red and white wine to complement
