Talk about SUCCULENT! You may have noticed the latest appetizer trend at bistros and dinner parties is the fancy-named Charcuterie (shahr-cute-uh-ree) board. But this is not a new thing – Charcuterie can be traced back to the first century in France as a variety of unrefrigerated meats, primarily from pork.

There’s several ways to put together this easy appetizer. Focus on a few meats such as prosciutto and salami, then add in cheese, pickles and spreads. I also like to add in grapes or thinly sliced apples for even more variety and texture. A quick trip to the deli counter and farmers market, and you’re ready to go.

I purchased a large butcher block board on Amazon like this one, and use it only for charcuterie. You can also use interesting  baskets for bread, or additional smaller boards. Add in branches from a lemon tree, wild mint from the garden, or any edible plants you have growing in the yard such as a sprigs of rosemary or flowering nasturtiums. Think about color and contrast when developing your plate.

Here’s a quick list of ingredients you can use. Focus on about 6 – 8 items. Simple boards for smaller parties might just have 4 items. Stock up on olives, pickles, and other pantry-ready items, so you can put something together in a few minutes!

• Meats: Prosciutto, Salami, Mousse or Pate, Pepperoni
• Cheese: Hard Cheddar, Soft Brie, Goat Cheese Log, Spicy Swiss
• Bread: French Bread, Toasted Pita, Crackers, Toast Triangles
• Fruit and Vegetables: Grapes, Sliced Apple, Dried Apricots, Thin Sliced Radishes
• Pickles and Olives: Cornichon Pickles, Stuffed Jumbo Olives, Black Kalamata Olives
• Spreads: Whole Grain Mustard, Honey, Fig Jam
• Nuts: Spicy Almonds, Macadamia Nuts, Salted Cashews

This easy appetizer is super easy to assemble for any party. Use what you have on hand and make it simple! The most important thing is to have fun and make your Charcuterie Board your very own!