Kids Charcuterie Board: Back to School Snacks for Kids | Ain’t Too Proud to Meg (2023)

FAQs

What goes well together on a charcuterie board? ›

The most important elements of a charcuterie board are meats, cheeses, savory accompaniments, sweet accompaniments, and crackers. Cheeses: choose a variety of hard and soft cheese, and cheese made from different animals (cow, sheep, goat).

Garnish & Decorate

Slice or dice your cheese. Lay the crackers and bread slightly on its' side so you can fit more on the board. Use small side dishes to elevate some foods and keep the board neater. Then, use fruit, nuts, and chocolate to fill in the extra spaces.

Jams or preserves: Include 1 or 2 jams or preserves for some added flavor and sweetness to balance out the dry and salty meat and cheese. Fig spread goes marvelously with many cheeses and meats, so I always like to include it. I also like to include apricot jam, but raspberry or grape jam works, too.

What are good finger foods for kids? ›

A charcuterie board is a great make ahead appetizer. With the exception of the sliced fresh fruit, everything can be prepared and set up on the board ahead of time. Wrap the board in plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator up to 24 hours ahead of time.

A typical charcuterie board consists of mainly meats and cheeses. But at many restaurants or house parties, it's common that these boards include bread, fruits, nuts, condiments such as honey or mustard, pickles, and olives.

For example, some cheeses, like brie, and some meats, like prosciutto, may cost more than a more “common” cheese, like cheddar, or meat, like salami. That said, you can expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $150 per board (or more) if you buy one from the local deli.

20 ideas for a Charcuterie board without meat include cheese, foods that are dried, preserved, or pickled, nuts, cut fruit, berries, vegetables, peppers, tapas, crackers, pretzels/chips, spreads, jams/jellies, finger sandwiches, dessert boards, holiday boards, candies, mints, and edible garnishes.

Honey, one of our favorite charcuterie accompaniments, adds a gorgeous amber color to our boards and has endless pairing possibilities. Honey brings out the natural flavor of the cheese because the sweetness of honey is complimentary to saltier foods.

If you're using an older board that isn't very easy to clean, you can use parchment paper or even fig or hydrangea leaves underneath the cheese and meats to keep from staining your board.

Fruit (fresh and dried): grapes, strawberries, dates, blueberries, raspberries, cherries, figs, etc. Your spreads can also be sweet like the apricot jam, fig spread, jellies, etc. Savory.

What drinks go best with charcuterie? ›

If you are wondering which cocktails are better with charcuterie, Negroni goes well with Italian prosciutto. The strong flavors of the drink pairs perfectly with the salty-sweet notes of Prosciutto. A popular Italian drink that characterizes Italian Aperitivo is Spritz.

Fig jam, strawberry jam, or mustard all pair well with cheddar cheese. Make sure to match the intensity of your cheese to your pairing. A sweeter jam like strawberry will pair well with a young, mild cheddar, while a bold aged cheddar is great with hot pepper jelly, mustard or even a chutney.

Breads and crackers for charcuterie boards

Two breads: Bread options include French sourdough, asiago ciabatta or raisin-pecan rye for a sweeter option. Two crackers: Water crackers are virtually flavorless and allow the other charcuterie to shine.

If you like bold flavors, you'll love these pairings: aged cheddar with tomato jam, gouda with orange marmalade or plum jam, parmesan with apricot jam, blue cheese with black currant or red onion jam, or camembert and cranberry jam.

An amazing charcuterie board offers guests a wide range of tastes and texture combinations. For cheese, that means choosing 4 to 6 varieties that offer a nice variety for the palate.

Put simply: Charcuterie boards can cost a pretty penny. According to Eat Cured Meat, this is because the dried and cured meats that constitute a charcuterie board are more time- and labor-intensive than their fresher counterparts. Not only do the meats need to age for months (or even years!)

Oil regularly, especially if your board is getting frequent use. This will keep it looking beautiful and protect the wood from moisture that will cause warping. Dry off thoroughly after rinsing. Don't just set it out on a dish rack- use a towel to dry off any excess water.

According to Ken Albala, a history professor with a focus on food at the University of the Pacific, the mass appeal of charcuterie on social media coincides with the rise of crafting and foodie cultures, paired with an inherently aesthetically pleasing nature.

Charcuterie is a mixture of cured meats which highlight forms of preservation or flavor enhancement. Ideally, flavors are contrasted or paired to magnify enjoyment, a combination of texture and color are also used. It offers variety and is visually appealing when displayed on a platter.

Pure Tung Oil ranks high on the list when you want to know how to treat wood charcuterie boards. Also known as chinawood oil, this all-natural finishing oil is FDA approved for food contact and contains no VOCs, heavy metals, additives or distillates for added peace of mind.

What is a good after game snack for kids? ›

Greek yogurt, berries, and granola. protein shake and banana. quinoa bowl with sweet potatoes, berries, and pecans. whole grain crackers with string cheese and fruit.

I got all of our favorite snacks at Walmart, where I found Pepsi™, SNICKERS®, Skittles®, and TOSTITOS® chips and salsa! Perfect snacks to fill our Ultimate Snack Stadium, and fill us up for the Big Game! I knew I wanted SNICKERS® and Skittles® to be the fans in the bleachers, as well as the cars in the parking lot!