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.
This board has become my go-to for holiday parties as it never fails to impress and brings everyone together effortlessly.
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 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 Cranberries:
- Add nuts and dried cranberries in small piles around the board ensuring even distribution for visual appeal and easy snacking.
- Place Bowls:
- Place small bowls or ramekins of jam and honey on the board.
- Arrange Bread and Crackers:
- Arrange sliced baguette and crackers along the edges or in separate baskets.
- Add Sweet Finish:
- 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 This board always brings the family together sharing stories and laughter while enjoying the diverse flavors.
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 This festive board is a delightful centerpiece perfect for holiday gatherings and celebrations.
Recipe Help
- → What cheeses work best for this board?
Soft Brie, nutty Comté, tangy Bleu d'Auvergne, and creamy chèvre offer a balanced selection of textures and flavors.
- → Can cured meats be substituted or omitted?
Yes, for a vegetarian twist, simply omit meats and include extra cheeses or add roasted vegetables and marinated olives.
- → How should fruits be prepared?
Use fresh seasonal fruits like grapes, sliced pears and apples, along with halved fresh figs or dried ones if unavailable.
- → What nuts complement this spread best?
Roasted almonds, walnuts, and shelled pistachios provide a satisfying crunch and rich flavor balance.
- → How to serve the board at a gathering?
Arrange all components on a large wooden board and place crackers and bread along edges; encourage guests to mix flavors as they like.