Description
Celebrate the festive season with this beautifully arranged Christmas Charcuterie Board, featuring a colorful candy cane layout of fresh tomatoes and mozzarella, complemented by a variety of cheeses, cured meats, crackers, fruits, nuts, and festive garnishes. This no-cook recipe is perfect for holiday gatherings and offers a delightful mix of savory, sweet, and fresh flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Fresh Produce
- 3 fresh tomatoes, sliced into rounds
- 2 fresh mozzarella balls (8 ounces each), sliced
- ½ English cucumber, sliced
- Fresh herbs (like basil leaves, oregano, or rosemary), quantity as desired
- ¼ cup pomegranate seeds
Cheese and Meats
- 4 ounces cheese cubes (cheddar, Manchego, or other)
- 4 ounces salami or other cured meats
Crunchy Accompaniments
- 8 ounces crackers and bruschetta toasts
- 2 ounces small pretzel sticks
- ⅓ cup mixed nuts
Condiments and Extras
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons balsamic reduction
- ½ teaspoon flaky sea salt
- ½ cup green olives
- ½ cup dried fruit (apricots, figs, or other)
- ¼ cup chocolate Christmas candy
Instructions
- Arrange Tomatoes and Mozzarella: On a large cutting board or slate board, carefully arrange the sliced tomatoes and mozzarella slices into a candy-cane shape to create a festive base for the board.
- Drizzle with Olive Oil and Balsamic: Lightly drizzle the olive oil and balsamic reduction over the arranged tomatoes and mozzarella. Sprinkle the flaky sea salt evenly to enhance the flavors.
- Add Fresh Herbs: Place fresh basil leaves or other chosen fresh herbs around the candy cane shape to add color, aroma, and a fresh herbal note.
- Place Cheese, Meats, and Crackers: Neatly arrange the cheese cubes, slices of salami or cured meats, crackers, and bruschetta toasts on the board, ensuring a balanced presentation.
- Fill in the Empty Spaces: Use the green olives, dried fruit, cucumber slices, mixed nuts, additional fresh herbs, and pomegranate seeds to fill all remaining gaps on the board, making it visually appealing and plentiful.
- Add Festive Touch: Scatter the chocolate Christmas candies over the board as a sweet and festive finishing touch.
- Serve Immediately: Present the assembled board to guests immediately to enjoy the freshness and variety.
Notes
- Use a variety of cheeses and meats to suit your taste preferences and dietary restrictions.
- Substitute ingredients to accommodate dietary needs, such as low-sodium meats or gluten-free crackers.
- Pre-slice and prepare ingredients ahead of time, but assemble just before serving for the freshest presentation.
- This board serves as a wonderful centerpiece for holiday parties, offering finger-friendly bites.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1/8 of the board
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
