Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board
Indulge in the festive spirit with a delightful Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board. This colorful collection of cheeses, fruits, and nuts not only satisfies your cravings but also brings a cheerful aesthetic to your holiday table. Perfect for sharing and easy to assemble, this board is a must-have for your gatherings!
Equipment
- Chef's Knife
- Peeler
- Baking Sheet
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs. Green Grapes
- 6 long Rosemary Sprigs
- 8 oz. Red Grapes
- 1/2 cup Candied Pecans or Plain Pecans
- 5 (8 oz) blocks Various White Cheeses Havarti, manchego, fontina, sharp cheddar, etc.
- 14 oz. Salami Nuggets Spicy and fennel flavored recommended.
- 5 Ripe Kiwi Peeled, halved lengthwise, and sliced.
- 6 oz. Fresh Raspberries Or 9 oz cherry-infused Craisins.
- 5 oz. Salted Roasted Pistachios or Pumpkin Seeds Raw for greener color preferred.
- 1 (10 oz) jar Castelvetrano Olives Drained.
- 6 oz. Water Crackers
Instructions
- Start by preparing your cheeses. Cut two blocks into small cubes and two blocks into wedges. For the last block, use a star-shaped cookie cutter to create a festive star, and cut the remaining scraps into cubes. Keeping your cheeses chilled until assembly is essential for the best flavor and texture.
- To create your board, you’ll need a substantial surface area. I recommend using a clean marble tabletop or a large wooden board. You can also place white parchment paper underneath for easier cleanup and a beautiful contrast.
- Begin forming the base of your “Christmas tree” by placing the green grapes in the shape of long stems. Arrange them in a triangle formation, mimicking the shape of a tree.
- Top the grape “stems” with rosemary sprigs for a lovely aromatic touch and to resemble the tree branches. Dot the area with red grapes for added color and flavor.
- Next, leave a space in the bottom middle area of the tree shape and add the candied pecans or plain pecans there to represent the “stump” of the tree.
- Layer your cheeses next. Use half of the wedge shapes and two-thirds of the cheese cubes to create a nice layer on top of the grapes.
- Now, add a layer of salami nuggets placed evenly above the cheese layer. This adds a savory note that beautifully contrasts with the sweetness of fruits.
- Follow this with a layer of sliced kiwi, which will provide a delightful burst of tropical flavor.
- Next, add a layer of fresh raspberries or the cherry-infused Craisins on top of the kiwi slices.
- After these layers, add another layer of cheeses, using one-third of the remaining cheese cubes and the remaining half of the wedge shapes. This will ensure each mouthful is filled with creamy goodness.
- Top off the tree with a layer of pistachios or pumpkin seeds followed by Castelvetrano olives at the very top as the point of the tree.
- Finally, place the cheese star atop your charcuterie tree and finish with a “ground” of water crackers spread beneath the tree. Serve shortly after assembling, as the ingredients shouldn't sit at room temperature for longer than two hours to maintain their freshness.
Notes
Consider adding small cucumbers sliced, baby dill pickles, celery sticks, or green apples thinly sliced. For reds, use strawberries, cherry-infused Craisins, or fresh cherries. You can also incorporate capocollo, prosciutto, pepperoni, or larger salami as additional meats.