The term “hors d’oeuvres” can be a bit intimidating; it sounds fancy, complicated, and to be honest, it’s even hard to spell! Let’s take a deep breath and translate this old fashion food vocabulary into 2024 language…an app in a snap!
Whew, now that doesn’t sound so bad! Appetizers are a great way to kick off a meal or just create a fun snacking atmosphere. A growing trend in the app world is deliciously themed charcuterie boards. Although boards may look intense, they are merely masterpieces of assembly. Check out these tips to craft effortless boards that will have everyone at the table engaged, munching, and crunching.
Pick A Theme
- Traditional charcuterie boards are full of meats, cheeses, crackers, and fruits, but think outside of the board to mix it up a bit!
- Fall lends well to rustic boards with pumpkin spice pairings or apple-licious boards with sharp cheeses, caramels, and nut butters.
- Dropping temps can inspire a brisk-weather-board that includes drinks like specialty hot chocolate mixes and fixings.
- Not a special time of year? Have no fear! There’s room for boards during family date night too! My little one thinks popcorn boards are the perfect ticket for a cuddly movie night at home with her mama.
Pack It With Protein & Produce
- Protein and produce components are what will make your board fill tummies. Including a variety of each will add eye appeal, intrigue your crew, and potentially inspire someone to try something new.
- Meats and cheeses are a good way to add comfort to your board whereas nuts, nut-butters, and seeds are fun proteins that can add texture and dimension.
- Fruits and veggies really can be the stars of these crafty creations as they add striking pops of color and a dab of freshness to your beautiful board.
Build Your Board
- When your kitchen counter is covered in ingredients and your head is flooded with ideas – don’t panic! This is your chance to have some creative fun (and do a little taste testing along the way)!
- As you’re scratching your head and staring at your blank board, pick your favorite ingredient and start there. Slowly build around that by fanning out crackers, cutting cheeses in different shapes, and sprinkling nuts in trails around your fruit.
- This is your masterpiece, keep it stress-free and full of fun!
Written by: Shanna Shultz, RD, LDN, The Giant Company
Shanna is a Registered Dietitian (RD) and Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist (LDN). Born and raised in central Pennsylvania, she received her Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition, Foods, & Exercise from Virginia Tech. Shanna strives to break intimidation around recipes and culinary techniques; cheering customers on to tackle any creation. She loves foodie adventures, whether that be baking at home with her little sous chef or out exploring local food fare.
About The Foundation For Fresh Produce And Have A Plant® Movement
The Foundation for Fresh Produce’s vision is to grow a healthier world by changing the trajectory of human health. The produce industry has the potential to provide solutions for many of the world’s greatest health and economic challenges – especially those surrounding nutrition and hunger.
The Foundation focuses on improving the appeal of fruit and vegetables as an integral part of people’s diets, supporting the development of infrastructure and supply chain solutions that provide easier access, and establishing strategic alliances that enable children and families to form healthier eating habits.
The transformative Have A Plant® Movement inspires consumers with compelling reasons to believe in the powerful role fruits and vegetables can play to fuel happy, healthy and active lifestyles.
