The best no cook summer appetizer for when you’re entertaining or want a light dinner is the Summer Charcuterie Board. This cheese board can be made ahead of time, uses seasonal fruit and as a bonus it travels well.
Turn your broiler on high and move an oven rack to the highest shelf. Cut baguettes into ¼ inch pieces and place in a single layer on a sheet tray. Lightly spray with oil and toast under the broiler for 1-2 minutes until lightly toasted on one side. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
Place the goat cheese off center toward the edge of the platter.
If your alpine cheese has a rind, cut the cheese out carefully and keep the outer edge of the rind. Cut the cheese up into small bite size pieces like cubes or triangles. Add the rind to the cheese platter opposite of the goat cheese. Add cut cheese to the inside of the rind. If your cheese doesn’t have a rind, just cut into small bite size pieces and place them together.
Put the jam in a small bowl and place between the two cheeses, off center on the board.
Arrange the bread down the middle of the board by stacking the pieces together. If you need to, add a curve to the row of bread to be able to fit more.
Take the first half of the salami and piece by piece fold it in half once and then in half again. Add this row of salami to the board with the edges facing up near the goat cheese. Repeat with the second half of the salami and place near the alpine cheese.
Between the goat cheese and the baguettes, add the cherries. Leave the stems on the cherries to make them easy to pick up.
On the opposite side of the baguette, add the blackberries.
Fill in any holes or sparse spots with almonds.
Garnish the board with mint and serve.
Notes
All amounts are approximations, use as much or as little as you want or can fit on your board. You can always lay some out and then add more as necessary to keep it fresh.
It’s best to put this recipe out for only 1-2 hours depending on summer heat and keep it in the shade.
If you can’t find the herb crusted goat cheese, any fresh chevre (goat cheese) will work just as well.
Any alpine or grass fed cheese will work for the board.
Store leftover fruit, jam, cheese and meats separately in airtight containers in the fridge.
Store leftover baguettes and almonds separately in an airtight container on the counter.