Festive Eats:
I love getting festive with my food for the holidays. Because not only are they cute and festive. But they are easy to throw together and extra delicious. I hope these boards make it into your home this holiday season and your family enjoys them as much as we do.
Grazing Boards:
‘Tis the season for grazing. And one of my favorite appetizers to prepare, grazing boards. The great thing about grazing boards; is that you can tailor it to you liking, and they can be made cute and festive, depending on your theme. Before creating the boards, have a theme or color scheme to strive for before getting started. And since it’s the most wonderful time of the year. I wanted to share a variety of festive serving options for your holiday entertaining or just enjoying at home with your loved ones.
- Christmas tree charcuterie board
- Loaded charcuterie wreath
- Candy cane caprese salad
- Antipasto wreath board
- Everything but the bagel pigs in a blanket wreath
Christmas tree board:
For the tree board, I used a Christmas tree board. But if you don’t have one, you can form your own on a flat serving board. I started with the trunk of the tree by using homemade candied pecans. And then I used chopped cheddar cheese for first row, salami, pepper jack cheese, slices of Persian cucumbers, and continue until tree is formed. I garnished with frosted rosemary along the sides and used some sourdough star crackers.
Loaded charcuterie wreath:
Start by adding chopped cheese’s, sliced cheese, rose salami’s, fig jam, nuts, cornichons, around the board to create a circle. And leave about 1 inch of a border on the outer part of the board for the frosted rosemary. Continue to add items creating a circle and leaving space in the middle for a small circle. And keep in mind as you are filling the colors and textures you are placing next to each other. But don’t worry, you can adjust as you go. And lastly, add the frosted rosemary around the outside of the plate and in the middle to create the wreath look. And when serving place honey pot in the middle of the plate.
Candy cane caprese salad:
This candy cane caprese salad takes 10 minutes to put together and sure to be a crowd pleaser. To a platter, layer sliced mozzarella cheese and sliced tomatoes. I kept the basil on the side but you can also add the basil in between the mozzarella and tomatoes. And on the side I addd toasted baguettes, that I added olive oil and flakey salt on top. Also on the side, balsamic glaze for drizzling on top.
Antipasto wreath:
Can you tell I really have a thing for wreaths? This is my antipasto wreath that has all my favorites loaded on a stick. Perfect for entertaining or enjoying at home for an appetizer for dinner. You can get all the details for making this antipasto wreath here.
Pigs in a blanket wreath:
And we all know that pigs in a blanket are always a hit at parties! I make my own spin to the traditional pigs in the blanket with my Everything but the bagel pigs in the blanket. And they are a huge hit, even with the pickiest of eaters.
Frosted rosemary and cranberries:
And make sure to prep a batch of frosted rosemary and cranberries. It adds such a festive touch to all holiday boards, festive drinks, or desserts. And they are super easy to prepare. Using equal parts sugar and water heat on a medium low heat for a couple minutes or until the sugar is melted. Add the rosemary first, coat with the sugar mixture, with a slotted spoon transfer to a wired rack. Do the same thing for the cranberries. And let them sit on the wired rack for at least an hour. And then roll them in some sugar and garnish away.
What drinks to serve with charcuterie:
I like to have a variety of options of drinks for my guest. Because I know everyone has preferences that they like with their charcuterie boards. And my favorite brand of wines I like to have on hand at all times, is Secco. Because their wines are low carb, Paleo, Keto, no added sugars or additives. And they don’t leave me feeling like crap the next day!