Cured, Cooked, Smoked and Cheesy

One of my favorite things to make at home, or order out is a meat and cheese board. A night with a bottle of wine and a meat and cheese board brings me more happiness than a slice of chocolate cake. (That may not be entirely true, because I love chocolate, but it is up there and close).

Ordering a cheese board at a restaurant can be tricky. Some places can charge a ridiculous amount for a small platter of some meat and cheeses, and some places pile on the variety for a roller coaster ride for your taste buds. In Boston, they are doing it right, more specifically The Precint. This amazing cheese board presents itself with class and with its pinky out. It packed delicious flavor, variety, and multiple textures (key).

When looking at a Meat and Cheese board, there are a few things to keep in mind, and a few things to make sure you include. The meats you choose, should match the cheese you choose. Feel free to add flavored cheese, but make the flavor matches the meat.

To make your board special, there are ways to spruce it up. The jam that you decide to use can add a key component to your dish. A store bought jam from Von's does not compare to grandmas homemade jam or marmalade. I am a huge fan of berry, and not such a huge fan of the orange/citrus palette when it comes to these type of boards.

The meat is just as important as the cheese. I absolutely love Prosciutto, and would never leave it off a board; ever. It is thin, cured ham, with a different spice (depending on where you buy from). I love to buy from a farmers market, but in a time crunch, Sprouts and Trader Joes have amazing selections. Look for the nitrate free package for a healthier selection. The second type of must-have cheese is salami. Regular, peppered, spicy salami. It looks great on the plate, and adds a lot of variety in taste. (Quick tip: Trader Joes also have a trio pack of meats already sliced).

Most importantly, the cheese. As you can probably tell, I am a Trader Joes advocate. I am always split between Trader Joes and the Farmers Market - the farmers market has such local delicious cheese, but Trader Joes has a great selection. My favorite cheese has changed over time, because I recently discovered my stomach gets a little uneasy with cheese - that being said, it doesn't stop me from eating it. Number 1, Brie. Creamy, delicious and easy to spread on crackers and bread (not pictured below). Something blue - any type of blue cheese cut into a cute little triangle works perfect. Mozzarella, tends to never be a favorite, but is a favorite in my book.. The cheese is a little thing, but if you are serving with bread it works (i promise). Lastly, goat. I am a huge fan of garlic and herb goat cheese, but there are so many flavors out there, the opportunities are endless. Feel free to match the season to your goat cheese, it works!

If your guest tend to be more more on the healthy side, serve your dish with rice crackers instead of pieces of bread. I actually prefer crackers or rice crackers over bread, as it is easier to eat and pile on your meat. Also, it is important to add some type of fruit - grapes usually work best. If they are in season, small slices of peaches can also be delicious (figs are also a good touch if you like the flavor).

The toppings: Even though everything on this board is equally as important as the next, the toppings seem to bring everything together, and make your dish sparkle. My favorite topping is olive oil coated nuts. You also need to make sure you have some type of mustard, that pairs nicely with the jam. Adding some pickled vegetables might make things overwhelming, depending on the size of the board, but also add a nice sour taste to the board.

Lastly, it is all about the plating. This picture below is a perfect replica of what your cheese board should look like. The jam/chutney and mustard should always be in a small separate container, with a serving spoon. The nuts tend to be easier to eat in a dish as well, but everything else can sit on top of each other on the plate. If you have a cool wooden board, or wooden cutting board - use it!

What is your favorite thing to add to to your Meat and Cheese Board?