Recipe: Picnic Charcuterie

Plan a picnic and graze over a perfectly paired charcuterie board with the 3-3-3-3 trick: Pick three meats, three cheeses, three starches, and three additional pairings.

CHEESES

• Brie: A soft, creamy French cheese with a delicate, buttery flavor and a bloomy rind
• Manchego: A firm, nutty Spanish sheep’s milk cheese with a slightly tangy finish
• Asiago: An Italian cheese made from cow’s milk, with a firm texture and a nutty, savory flavor
• Gouda: A Dutch cheese with a smooth texture and a mild flavor that becomes more caramelized and nutty with age
• Fruits: Grapes, figs, apple slices, dried apricots
• Nuts: Cashews, pistachios, pecans, walnuts
• Dips & Spreads: Jam, mustard, hummus, honey
• Chocolate: 70% cocoa dark chocolate, milk chocolate truffles, chocolate-covered nuts or fruits

MEATS

• Prosciutto: A dry-cured Italian ham with a delicate, salty flavor
• Chorizo: A spiced, smoky cured Spanish sausage made from pork
• Capicola: A dry-cured, spiced Italian pork with a balance of savory and spicy flavors
• Genoa Salami: A moist, Italian dry-cured salami made from finely ground pork, flavored with garlic, wine, and peppercorns

STARCHES

• Crostini: Thin, toasted bite sized slices of Italian baguette
• Wheat Thins: Whole wheat crackers made with a mildly nutty flavor
• Pita Crackers: Crunchy, tangy crackers made from baked pita bread
• Pretzel Crisps: Thin, crunchy pretzel-style crackers

THREE ASSEMBLING TIPS

1. Choose the Right Base: Select a board or platter that provides space for your ingredients and complements the overall aesthetic of the spread.

2. Create Balance & Variety: Group similar items together and vary textures and colors. Also, include a mix of soft, crunchy, savory, and sweet elements.

3. Create Visual Interest: Layer and arrange items at different angles or heights to create visual interest. You can fold slices of prosciutto into bundles or stack crackers for texture. You can also use small bowls to add height.

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