Charcuterie Board 101 & A Refreshing Cocktail Recipe

The charcuterie board is today’s go-to for housewarmings, birthdays or even just a romantic night in. That being said, the art of crafting the perfect board can be a little elusive. Thankfully, Shanice Gravesandy, founder and creative director of Shmore Boards, is here to help! Shanice crafts bespoke displays made with artisan cheeses, gourmet treats and the freshest produce, all thoughtfully presented in stunning displays. She has crafted boxes for Chick-fil-A, the Alzheimer’s Association, and now she is here to help you create your own masterpiece.

Shanice Gravesandy’s Charcuterie Board Building Basics:

When it comes to building a board, variety is everything for two reasons—you want to have something for everyone and it’s fun to play around with different flavor pairings.

Cheeses: I’d suggest having at least three cheeses present with different flavors and textures: a soft cheese like brie or goat, hard cheese like aged cheddar and a semihard like a truffle Gouda. Each of these cheeses has completely different flavors. The brie is creamy and light, the aged cheddar is bold and sharp, and the truffle Gouda would be the statement cheese that surprises guests with its earthy, yet smooth flavor.

Meats: Include at least two different types of charcuterie on your board. There’s plenty to choose from, like prosciutto, salami, coppa, bresaola, soppressata and so much more.

Crackers: Select at least two types of crackers, one that’s more neutral like a sea salt to build flavor and one that’s packed with flavor, like gourmet cranberry crisps.

Accompaniments: Now that you have your board basics, you can add on the extra flavor and color. I suggest at least four types of fresh fruit, nuts, olives, honey and/or fruit preserves (fig is my favorite!), dried fruits and your favorite gourmet chocolate.

Where to Get Your Supplies In Atlanta:

Trader Joe’s and Sprouts Farmers Market have amazing prices on really good cheeses. The Unexpected Cheddar at Trader Joe’s and the smoked Gouda at Sprouts are my go-to’s! When it comes to accompaniments, Your Dekalb Farmers Market in Decatur and Nam Dae Mun Farmers Market in Smyrna always offer something new and exciting to incorporate.

Looking to skip a few steps and order a special board? Shmore Boards offers gluten-free, nut-free, lactose-free and even vegan boards for delivery and pickup. Find what you need at 
www.shmoreboards.com
www.instagram.com/shmoreboards

Stop and Smell the Roses

Need an accompaniment for your charcuterie board? Go above and beyond to craft a creative cocktail for some special. Whether it’s for a date night, girls’ night, or even Mother’s Day, Jarrett Holoborough of the exclusive 12 Cocktail Bar shares his recipe for a light and fresh rum drink.

Ingredients:

2 ounces Santa Teresa rum

1 ounce lemon juice

1 ounce simple syrup

½ ounce rose water

4 raspberries 

2 dashes orange bitters

2 dashes chocolate bitters

Directions:

Put all ingredients into a Boston Shaker. Add ice, shake and double strain into a rocks glass over crushed ice. Instagram.com/j_thebarman, Jthebarman.com

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