Description
Celebrate the holidays with this festive Christmas Charcuterie Board featuring a colorful candy-cane arrangement of fresh tomatoes and mozzarella, complemented by a delicious assortment of cheeses, cured meats, crackers, fruits, nuts, and festive garnishes.
Ingredients
Scale
Fresh Ingredients
- 3 fresh tomatoes, sliced into rounds
- 2 fresh mozzarella balls (8 ounces each), sliced
- ½ English cucumber, sliced
- ½ cup green olives
- Fresh Herbs (like basil leaves, oregano, or rosemary)
- ¼ cup pomegranate seeds
Dairy and Meat
- 4 ounces cheese cubes (cheddar, Manchego, or other)
- 4 ounces salami or other cured meats
Pantry
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons balsamic reduction
- ½ teaspoon flaky sea salt
- 8 ounces crackers and bruschetta toasts
- 2 ounces small pretzel sticks
- ½ cup dried fruit (apricots, figs, or other)
- ⅓ cup mixed nuts
- ¼ cup chocolate Christmas candy
Instructions
- Arrange Tomatoes and Mozzarella: On a large cutting board or slate board, arrange the sliced tomatoes and mozzarella slices into a candy-cane shape to create a festive centerpiece.
- Drizzle with Olive Oil and Balsamic: Gently drizzle the arranged tomatoes and mozzarella with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic reduction, then sprinkle flaky sea salt evenly over them to enhance the flavors.
- Add Fresh Basil: Place fresh basil leaves around the candy cane shape to add freshness and vibrant color to the presentation.
- Arrange Cheese, Meats, and Crackers: Neatly place the cheese cubes, salami slices, crackers, bruschetta toasts, and pretzel sticks around the board, balancing the colors and textures.
- Fill in the Gaps: Fill all the empty spaces on the board with green olives, dried fruit, cucumber slices, mixed nuts, additional herbs, and pomegranate seeds to create a full and festive look.
- Serve Immediately: Present the completed charcuterie board immediately to ensure optimal freshness and taste during your holiday gathering.
Notes
- Choose a variety of cheeses and meats to cater to different tastes and textures.
- Use a large board or platter for an attractive presentation and ease of serving.
- Substitute dried fruit and nuts based on personal preference or seasonal availability.
- The balsamic reduction should be drizzled sparingly to avoid overpowering the fresh ingredients.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the cured meats and add extra vegetables or plant-based protein options.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of board
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
