Here are some fun and creative ways to assemble Easy Appetizer Charcuterie Boards for your next party or gathering of hungry eaters. Assemble them together with ready-made ingredients found in your pantry, refrigerator, or nearby deli.
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Charcuterie
Have you seen those beautiful food boards artfully prepared on Instagram, Pinterest, and magazines lately? They are called charcuterie boards (pronounced shär-ˌkü-tə-ˈrē, come on give it a try!), meaning a collection of cold cooked meats, cheeses, nuts, fruits, vegetables, and/or crackers on a board.
The French word charcuterie is a method of preserving meats, mainly pork. The use of this pretty French word makes perfect sense to describe such an appealing plate.
My food board pictured above, may not be as attractive as some on Pinterest, but you get the idea. It's an easy way to get appetizers on your counter to greet hungry guests. All that's needful is an assessment of your pantry and/or refrigerator. Then choose whatever nibblers you have (there may be some left from that holiday gift basket you received). If you're feeling deficient in that area just head on over to your nearby grocery store and gather some ready-made ingredients.
There's no right or wrong way to prepare the charcuterie. I found it best to begin in the center and fill with different ingredients letting them rest up against each other. You can get friends and family involved and have fun creating your own board. Don't forget to snap a picture of it and tag me on Instagram and Facebook. I'd love to see your masterpiece!
If you don't have a large enough board, you can use a tray or platter. Even a dinner plate is appropriate for serving a small group. A charcuterie for two would be a sweet gesture for the one you love.
Make It Easy
You can certainly prepare a delicious time-consuming appetizer that is worth the effort, but you don't have to. I remember watching Ina Garten one day on Food Network's Barefoot Contessa where she set out salty potato chips and popcorn in pretty bowls for appetizers. How easy is that?
Well, here's my version with an added bowl of Cajun Cracklins. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Cracklins, they are spicy fried pork skins. I usually stop by one of those specialty meat stores like Billy's Boudin in Scott, Louisiana for some on my way home. Warning, it may be difficult not to devour the whole bag before meeting your destination.
Another item from Louisiana for making easy appetizers is a jar of Boscoli Italian Olive Salad. It's a mixture of olives in oils with pickled vegetables, salt, capers, garlic, and spices.
Boscoli is famous for making a Muffalata sandwich delicious, but my favorite way to eat it is on a slice of cold crisp cucumber. It's a healthy snack.
More Appetizing Appetizers
I have several recipes to help feed your party guests here on the blog such as Chicken Wraps, Chunky Cheesy Creamy Crawfish Dip, Satisfying That Lox Bagel Craving, Fresh Herb Dip, Homemade Ranch Dressing, and Easy Spinach Bread.
And here's another idea:
This one is for you boudin lovers. It's a fact that all you need to satisfy the hunger of a Cajun is a pack of saltine crackers and a link of boudin. Now you know!
Wishing you a Happy New Year and great tasting easy appetizers all through the year!
To reach up for the new, you must let go of the old. What lies behind you is not nearly as important as what lies in front of you.
Joel Osteen
