There's something about charcuterie this year that is absolutely exploding on the culinary scene. What began as the basic building blocks to a cheese board has suddenly become a trending movement, whipping through social media like nobody's business, finding its way onto the tables of even the most skeptical of food trends. We saw the rise of the charcuterie chalet with its meaty and cheesy architecture, which then gave way to the hot cocoa charcuterie board which was drastically different in all of its sugary sweetness. We even played host to the creation of cheese and candy boards after Halloween left us all with full variety pack bags. However, now, the tables have turned once again... We now bring you the charcutewreath.This edible decoration combines the best of both the traditional door hang as well as the delicious accompaniment of charcuterie. With an open space in the middle, it's quite a brilliant design as it's left open for things such as dips, vegetables, bread, crackers, and more. What has us the most intrigued about this new charcuterie 'board,' though, is the fact that it's spruced up with so much herby greenery that each one almost looks too pretty to eat... But that definitely won't stop us.
Creativity Is Your Best Friend
With the specific confines that a wreath shape entails, it's pretty easy to stay within the lines, so to speak, and create a traditional holiday scene. For something such as this, the easiest thing to do is to put a glass or cup in the center of the wreath and build around it. Using green herbs to separate the inside of the wreath from the outside is a great way to give yourself a bit of space for creativity - and within this space, anything goes!
From fresh and dried fruits to whole wedges of cheese or slices, and from spreads to toast and crackers and anything in between, a charcuterie wreath can take on any look you want it to. It's far more abstract than a typical charcuterie board and allows the creator the freedom to incorporate anything they want, whether it's bold flavor, hard cheeses only, or a burst of freshness. Creating a flower with salami or tulip twirls with prosciutto are great ways to add a bit of beauty to a cheeseboard.
Embrace The Curves Of The Wreath
Sometimes, a charcuterie wreath can just be as simple as adding fruits, nuts, and cheeses that embrace the nature and shape of the overall wreath. Grapes and mixed nuts are round and spherical in shape, so they echo the stylistic intent of the wreath while still adding color and interest to the edible art. There's no law saying that cheese cubes can't be used, especially with something such as this - add some toothpicks for structure and you're all set!
For a bit of a fancier, heartiest charcuterie wreath, an antipasto wreath might be right up your alley. This makes for a stunning presentation especially when each toothpick has an alternation of tomatoes, peppers, pepperoncini, charcuterie, pearl mozzarella, olives, and herbs such as basil. It can be served with a drizzle of balsamic or, for an even more festive attitude, a drizzle of green pesto. This is a great way to divide individual servings on a charcuterie wreath as well, since the toothpicks face outward, making it inviting to eat as well as a crowd-pleaser.
It's amazing what a bit of sugar can do in terms of a decorative edge. Whole cranberries and rosemary sprigs, in this case, make a charcuterie wreath look snow-kissed which elevates the entire presentation. Some sweet aspects such as chocolate-covered pretzels or holiday candies around the plate also add texture and flavor complexity, while whole wedges of cheese add height and dimension.
A simple spread of greenery at the bottom of a charcuterie wreath also serves as a fresh and inventive base for everything else to sit on top of. Cubes of cheese in various colors alternated with charcuterie make for a simple yet eye-catching array, especially when vegetables (pickled or fresh) are thrown in to make a dish pop. Using a variety of mixed greens underneath the toothpicks adds variety and levels of depth, and can also be served as a salad when topped with dressing or simply just oil and vinegar. When it comes to your holiday dinner table, a charcuterie wreath is sure to steal the show this year.