HOW TO MAKE A KILLER CHARCUTERIE TRAY
by Jess Bentley
Photo’s by Jess Bentley
A well-executed Charcuterie Tray should be the centerpiece of all parties. They are crazy-easy to put together and have something for every palate. This year, we are diving face first into dairy and gluten-free recipes. Here, we make a tray that appeals to everyone’s diet restrictions.
WHEN MAKING APPETIZERS, I TRY NOT TO OVERTHINK THINGS.
We want something sweet, something salty and a few savory options. The wonderful thing about a charcuterie tray is that it encompasses all those things in one place.
MANDATORY FOR ME: A BOATLOAD OF PICKLED VEGGIES AND TARTS.
This is where Earthfare’s olive bar saves the day. Seriously. In this article we have mustard-grain olives, peppadews, Castelvetrano olives, spicy okra, and a jar of pickle chips. Pucker-up and enjoy that vinegar-bliss!
SO HOW CAN YOU MAKE A CHARCUTERIE TRAY THAT’S GLUTEN & DAIRY FREE? OR PERHAPS YOU’D LIKE TO DO A VEGAN VERSION?
I’ve got all your oooh’s-and-ahhh’s covered with the items listed below! Simply pick and choose what works best for you. I’ve noted a (v) for vegan and (gf) for gluten-free options as well.
personally prefer to build my spread on a clean baking sheet. It’s the perfect size to move around the room and keeps everything in one place for easy clean up.
HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL NEED…
PROTEINS: CHOOSE 4-5 ITEMS
Roasted Chickpeas (v, gf)
Baked Tofu (v, here’s a list of gluten-free tofu brands)
Sliced Salami (read labels to make sure it’s gluten-free)
Hard Salami Sticks (read labels to make sure it’s gluten-free)
Pepperoni (read labels to make sure it’s gluten-free)
Prosciutto (gf)
Smoked Salmon (gf)
CARBS: CHOOSE 2-4 ITEMS
Against the Grain Baguette (may contain dairy, check labels, gf)
Mary’s Gone Crackers Super Seed (v, gf)
Rice or Lentil Crackers (v, gf)
Schar Table Crackers (v, gf)
Bagel or Pita Chips (v)
CHEESE ALTERNATIVES: CHOOSE AT LEAST 2 ITEMS
Miyokos’s Cheese Wheel made from Plants (v, gf)
Daiya Cheese Blocks – these come in cheddar, jack, gouda and havarti (v, gf)
Kite Hill Cream Cheese Style Spreads – they offer plain, chive and jalapeño (v, gf)
FRUITS & NUTS: CHOOSE 2-3 ITEMS
Sliced Apples (v, gf)
Dried & Fresh Figs (v, gf)
Grapes (v, gf)
Assorted Berries (v, gf)
Other Dried Fruits – Cranberries, Apricots, Pears (v, gf)
Cherry Tomatoes (v, gf)
Nuts – pecans, pistachios, almonds, macadamia (v, gf)
VEGGIES & OTHER OPTIONS: CHOOSE AT LEAST 3 ITEMS
Bell Peppers (v, gf)
Cucumbers (v, gf)
Sliced Radishes (v, gf)
Olives (v, gf)
Pickles – we’re obsessed with Kyookz (v, gf)
Peppadews – Click here for our stuffed Peppadews recipe (v, gf)
Cornichons (v, gf)
Jarred Artichokes (v, gf)
Pickled Jalapeno Peppers (v, gf)
CONDIMENTS & CHUTNEYS: CHOOSE 1-2 ITEMS
Mustard – we’re obsessed with Maille Old Style Mustard (v, gf)
Fruit Jams – we’re obsessed with Bonne Maman Fig Jam (v, gf)
Bacon Marmalade
Hot Pepper Jelly (v)
Hot Sauces – we’re obsessed with Yellowbird Sauces (v, gf)
Fresh Salsa (v, gf)
Honey (v, gf)
