Save A festive and dazzling Christmas charcuterie board featuring a selection of artisan cheeses, cured meats, fresh fruits, nuts, and sweet treats, arranged in a starburst pattern to delight guests at any holiday gathering.
This board has become my go-to holiday appetizer because it brings together flavors and colors that impress every guest.
Ingredients
- Cheeses: 150 g Brie cheese sliced, 150 g Comté, cubed, 100 g Bleu dAuvergne, crumbled, 100 g Chèvre (goat cheese), sliced
- Cured Meats: 120 g Jambon de Bayonne, thinly sliced, 120 g Rosette de Lyon, sliced, 100 g Saucisson sec, sliced
- Fresh Fruits: 1 bunch red grapes, 1 ripe pear, sliced, 1 ripe apple, sliced, 1 handful fresh figs halved (or dried figs if out of season), 1 handful pomegranate seeds
- Nuts & Extras: 60 g roasted almonds, 60 g walnuts, 40 g pistachios, shelled, 40 g dried cranberries
- Accompaniments: 1 small jar fig or cherry jam, 1 French baguette, sliced, 1 small box assorted crackers, 1 small pot honey
- Sweets (optional for festive touch): 50 g dark chocolate, broken into shards, 50 g candied orange peel, Festive star-shaped cookies (optional)
Instructions
- Arrange Cheeses:
- Arrange the cheeses at the center of a large wooden board in the shape of a star, alternating types for color and texture contrast.
- Fan Meats:
- Fan out the cured meats around the cheeses, creating rays to mimic a starburst pattern.
- Fill Fruit Spaces:
- Fill the spaces between meats and cheeses with clusters of grapes, slices of pear and apple, and halved figs. Sprinkle pomegranate seeds over the fruit for color.
- Add Nuts:
- Add nuts and dried cranberries in small piles around the board, ensuring even distribution for visual appeal and easy snacking.
- Place Bowls:
- Place small bowls or ramekins of jam and honey on the board.
- Arrange Bread & Crackers:
- Arrange sliced baguette and crackers along the edges or in separate baskets.
- Sweet Finish:
- For a sweet finish, tuck shards of dark chocolate, candied orange peel, and festive cookies into open spaces on the board.
- Serve:
- Serve immediately and encourage guests to mix and match flavors.
Save This recipe often brings my family together during the holidays as everyone loves sampling different cheeses and meats while sharing stories.
Required Tools
Large wooden or marble serving board, Sharp knives (for cheese and fruit), Small bowls or ramekins, Cheese spreaders or small spoons, Serving tongs (optional)
Allergen Information
Contains milk (cheese) tree nuts (almonds walnuts pistachios) gluten (baguette crackers) and possible traces of soy (chocolate). Cured meats may contain nitrates/nitrites. Always verify ingredient labels for allergens if serving guests with allergies.
Nutritional Information
Calories 390, Total Fat 23 g, Carbohydrates 28 g, Protein 17 g (per serving, estimated for 10 servings)
Save This charcuterie board is sure to be the centerpiece of your holiday celebrations and impress guests with both taste and presentation.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → What cheeses are featured in the Éclat dÉtoiles board?
Brie, Comté, Bleu d'Auvergne, and Chèvre are arranged centrally to provide a balance of creamy, nutty, and tangy flavors.
- → How is the starburst pattern assembled?
Cheeses form the star center, with cured meats radiating outward like rays. Fruits, nuts, and sweets fill gaps to create visual harmony.
- → Can this board be adapted for a vegetarian option?
Yes, simply omit cured meats and add extra cheeses, marinated vegetables, or olives for variety and flavor.
- → What accompaniments enhance the tasting experience?
Fig or cherry jam, honey, baguette slices, and assorted crackers complement the flavors and textures on the board.
- → Are there suggested beverage pairings?
Champagne, sparkling wine, or light-bodied reds perfectly accompany the rich cheeses and cured meats.
- → How should seasonal substitutions be handled?
Fresh fruits can be replaced with dried varieties like figs or cranberries to maintain flavor balance when fresh are unavailable.