A fall inspired Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board is great as an easy appetizer to the busiest cooking day of the year. A simple to assemble cheese board with easy to find ingredients is a great make ahead appetizer that also travels well.
Begin assembling about an hour before your guests arrive, cheese taste best at room temperature for at least an hour.
Cut up cheddar cheese, apples and any other ingredients that need to be bite sized.
Place cheddar cheese on one side of the board and goat cheese log on the other side. Arrange cheddar cheese in a pile together.
Place a small bowl in the center for honey. If you are traveling with the cheese board, WAIT to pour honey until you’re at the host’s house. If you are serving immediately, pour as you assemble.
If you’re using large pieces of salami from the deli, cut in half. Fold in half twice and arrange from one cheese to the other going around the bowl of honey. If you’re using smaller pieces of salami simply fold them in half twice and arrange from one cheese to the other going around the bowl of honey.
Add crackers around the edge of the platter.
Place cut up fresh fruit in 2 spots near each type of cheese.
Fill holes with dried figs. Cut in half if they are large.
Sprinkle almonds over the rest of the board in various locations.
Garnish with rosemary.
Add small spoon to the honey and a small cheese knife to the goat cheese.
Notes
If you can, assemble about an hour before guests arrive, cheese is best at room temperature.
If traveling with the cheese plate, place bowl for honey but don’t pour until you get to the host’s house.
Cut up any cheese that isn’t a soft spreadable cheese before adding to the cheese plate.
Storage leftovers separately off the board. Cheese, fresh fruit and meat should be stored in the fridge. Crackers, bread, dried fruit and almonds can be stored in airtight containers on the counter.
These proportions are for four to six people but can easily be scaled up or down