Easy Recipes from the Pot Rack – September 2023

Charcuterie is raging these days and we’re often presented with large, gorgeous, over-the-top boards brimming with tasty nibbles. As a host you may be tempted to create a charcuterie platter that could feed an army when all you really need to do for a simple occasion is to create a themed, delicate board with a delicious addition straight from your kitchen. You heard me… make something special for each board you serve. It makes your guests feel special and you’ll feel like Julia Child! Below are three simple ideas that will impress.

 

Tips for Creating Each Board

Start with the cheese. Place this first on any board you create and build around it.

Choose the meats to match the cheese. Always fold delicately on the board.

Match fruits and vegetables to the meats.

Choose one bread or cracker for each board.

Add nuts that make sense and do this sparingly often by sprinkling over the top.

Place your homemade treat in a small bowl on the board.

Be creative in your placement of the food items and provide the appropriate serving utensils to each board.

 

The Savory Board

1–Blue Cheese of your choice. I’m definitely suggesting Caveman Blue from Rogue Creamery! 2–Sopressata sliced thin and folded delicately. Trader Joe’s has this. 3–A handful of figs sliced in half. 4–Whole walnut halves. Put in a dry pan and toast for a minute on the stove top. 5–A small container of local honey. 6–Toasted baguette slices.

Your Liver Pâté (don’t knock it till you try it)

8 ounces Braunschweiger liver sausage

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese

1 tablespoon minced onion

2 teaspoons lemon juice

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

salt and pepper to taste

Bring everything to room temperature and combine all the ingredients in a bowl. Form into a ball and wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour before serving. Serve in a small bowl with a spreading knife. The recipe makes far more than you will use on the board.

 

The Fermented Board

1–Marinated mozzarella cheese balls served in a small dish or bowl. Add some ribbons of fresh basil. 2–Dry salami folded lightly. 3–Cherry tomatoes (on the vine if you can find them). 4–A handful of toasted almonds. 5–Marinated olives of your choice. 6–Sliced garlic toasts.

Your Pickled Red Onions

1 large red onion, peeled and sliced thin

3/4 cup apple cider vinegar

1/4 cup water

1 teaspoon salt

1–2 tablespoons sweetener, like honey or sugar

Place the sliced onions in a mason jar. Simmer all the other ingredients in a saucepan on medium high heat. Pour over the onions and let cool. Refrigerate up to 2 weeks.

 

The Sweet Board

1–A small brie. 2–Thinly sliced prosciutto, 3–Sweet grapes on the vine. 4–Dried dates. 5–Toasted pecans. 6–Thin crackers of your choice.

Your Blackberry Jam

5 cups blackberries

1 to 2 cups sugar

1 to 2 tbsp lemon juice

Place all three ingredients in a saucepan on medium low and simmer about 20-30 minutes or until starts to gel. Pour jam into a canning jar and store in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.

 

We have scads of pinch bowls and tiny utensils to aid in the beauty of your board. We also carry local, handmade boards and olive-wood boards directly from Italy.