Charcuterie is a great way to add variety to your party spread. It can also look so pretty on a platter with all the colors and textures that come with it. But what if you want to take your charcuterie platter from good to great? Here are some tips that will help you make sure your charcuterie platter looks as good as it tastes:
- Make vertical cuts in the meat before slicing it into thin slices. This will give you more surface area for stuffing and make it easier to cut into small pieces.
- Use toothpicks or skewers to secure larger pieces of meat, like prosciutto or salami. This will keep them from sliding off the knife while slicing, and will also keep them from falling apart while transporting the platter from kitchen to table.
- Make sure your board is clean before arranging anything on it. You don’t want any crumbs or residue from other foods getting into your charcuterie display! That would ruin its visual appeal, not to mention make it less appetizing for guests to eat off of later on in the evening. A quick wipe down with warm soapy water should do the trick before arranging anything on there; just make sure all your dishes are clean first!
- Cut cured meats into smaller chunks before placing them on the platter. This way they’ll look more uniform and attractive when placed together with other types of meat on a platter, rather than being large chunks that don’t sit next to each other very well.
- Choose your plate wisely. A white porcelain plate looks great when paired with cured meats, but it can also be too stark. A black or white slate plate gives the presentation some contrast while still keeping the spotlight on the meat itself. A wooden board is also a great choice because it adds a rustic touch that goes well with charcuterie.
