One of the best things about summer is that it's a great time to entertain. Whether it's on your patio, in the park, or simply inside your home, having people over to enjoy the summer is always a fun pastime. But finding food to please each guest is sometimes a challenge.
Not everyone has the same tastes, so as a good host, you need to have options. Variety is the key to ensuring that your friends and family have something to munch on while you all watch movies, play games, and hang out together.
Usually, go-to foods are chicken wings, chips, small sandwiches, and bbq, all of which are excellent choices and definitely worth including. However, if you're looking for something a bit different and sure to be a hit, you may want to consider a delicious charcuterie board for summer.
With this idea, you can combine variety and flavor to make sure there's something for everyone. A charcuterie board appeases meat-lovers and vegans alike as well as children and adults. They're fun, tasty, and pleasing to the eye, making for incredible photos on Instagram, and the best part about it is that a charcuterie board for summer isn't that hard to make.
Key ingredients for your summer-inspired charcuterie board
When making a charcuterie board for summer, it's important to remember that there are no hard rules. You can include whatever you want to make your guests happy, but that doesn't mean your loved ones won't expect several essentials.
By definition, "charcuterie" is a type of cooking that primarily focuses on prepared meats, but a "charcuterie board" is a wooden platter that offers a wide range of foods. Of course, because of its roots, charcuterie boards typically provide various types of meats like pepperoni, prosciutto, salami, capicola, and cured sausage. However, other staples include cheese and complementary foods that enhance the overall flavor.
For example, common cheeses are sharp cheddar, gouda, burrata, brie, camembert, and roquefort. Additionally, complementary foods like nuts, olives, honey, berries, jam, jelly, grapes, and raisins also play a crucial role.
Together, these ingredients create a delicious combo that your guests will love. And more importantly, they satisfy a range of taste buds so that everyone you're hosting walks away happy and satisfied.
Three mouth-watering charcuterie boards for summer
If you're ready to make a summer-inspired charcuterie board, there are plenty of routes that you can take. Just a quick internet search or a phone call to a friend can lead to great ideas.
However, if you'd rather spend more time prepping your charcuterie board instead of researching for one, Khutsala Artisans has you covered. After diving into the many charcuterie boards for summer, there are three that look especially appetizing and that are garnering the most attention.
Packed with gems that your loved ones will adore, the Spanish-styled cheese board that Khutsala Artisans found incorporates a few ingredients from Italy to create a fun, fresh, and rejuvenating meal. It's full of flavor and is great for carnivores and vegetarians, so all of your guests should find something that they can taste and enjoy.
The main ingredients for this board include:
You should be able to find these ingredients in your local grocery store, so after a quick stop, you'll have all of the goodies you need to get started.
Perhaps you want something that's a little bit lighter. Maybe you want a charcuterie board that can serve as a good snack instead of the main meal. If that's the case, there's a delicious summer charcuterie snack board that may be your new favorite finger food. This specific board has everything you'd want in a charcuterie board, making it a fun and flavorful option for any summer gathering.
Some of the main ingredients for this snack include:
Like the first recipe, these ingredients should be available at your local grocery store. But if you can't find them there, don't forget to check out your local deli and natural food store.
If you're looking for a simple—yet delicious—charcuterie board that your guests will love, those ideas exist, too. Khutsala Artisans has found a great summer-inspired charcuterie board that can work excellently for beginners.
The main ingredients include:
As with the other ideas, these ingredients are readily available at your local grocery store. None of these items are hard to find, so your shopping trip should be quick and easy.
Essential items for your charcuterie board
While a beautiful charcuterie board for summer is a welcome addition to any gathering, you can't create one unless you actually have a board and a few accessories to make it all come together.
A charcuterie board is only possible with the right tableware. That's not to say you can't use paper plates or the same bowls that you pull out for dinner. But if you want to make a real charcuterie board—one that stands out and makes it easy for everyone to self-serve—you need the right items.
At Khutsala Artisans, you can find the entertainment pieces to bring your charcuterie board to life. Even better, all of the profits from your purchase go towards Heart for Africa, a faith-based humanitarian organization that's providing HOPE in Eswatini.
So if you want to build a charcuterie board and make a difference at the same time, shop these items at Khutsala Artisans.
Crafted from beautiful bloodwood trees native to Southern Africa, the handmade Charcuterie Boards are wooden pieces that are vibrant and lively. The bloodwood trees that they originate from ooze a dark red colored sap whenever you cut them, and the Charcuterie Boards easily display that remarkable beauty. Available in large and medium sizes, these boards are perfect for small and large gatherings and the holiday season.
Buy the Charcuterie Boards HERE.
A must-have for any good charcuterie board, the Wood Charcuterie Accessory Set includes a richly grained olive wood bowl and utensils with wonderful black and bone accents. The design is perfect if you love or want to add a bit of African decor to your kitchen.
Additionally, when you buy this set, you can use the bowl and spoon to organize butter, dips, spreads, and jam. You can also use the fork, large spoon, and spreader to efficiently serve your guests.
Get the Wood Charcuterie Accessory Set HERE.
If you only need some utensils to help serve, hold, and spread your ingredients, the Three-Piece Accessory Set is the perfect item for you. Handcrafted by African artisans, this accessory set includes a large spoon, fork, and spreader from richly grained olive wood. Additionally, each utensil has beautiful black and bone accents that showcase African-inspired patterns.
Shop the Three-Piece Accessory Set HERE.
Starting creating your charcuterie board for summer
With the right items and food, there's nothing stopping you from creating the perfect charcuterie board for summer. So shop at Khutsala Artisans and head to the grocery store while we package and ship your handmade pieces. Once you put everything together, don't forget to take a picture and tag Khutsala Artisans, so we see your summer-inspired charcuterie board!
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