Sep 26

Sep 26 Autumn Inspired Charcuterie Board

Helloooo autumn! Every year I get excited for the the shift of season that ushers in fresh crisp air and cozy evenings spent with friends sharing food, wine and stories.

Summer is my busiest time of year both socially and professionally, and while I love the hot days and late nights, I always welcome the slower pace of fall where socializing is more about staying in to curl up and catch up! This is my favourite time of year to host a casual get-together that has all the essentials: good people, good drinks, and great food!

A charcuterie board is a simple, crowd-pleasing way to keep things light, and a great way to play with a variety of fall flavours. It allows me to get creative and a little adventurous! This autumn-inspired charcuterie board features some very special ingredients from Pete's Fine Foods. I was looking for rich autumn flavours that would complement my fall theme, and give my board some beautiful colour and texture. I love shopping at Pete's because I can arrive without a concrete plan, wander around browsing and easily gather inspiration. The staff at Pete's are friendly and knowledgeable and had some fantastic suggestions for me. Don't be shy to ask for staff recommendations – you may very well find some new favourites of your own.

For a substantial charcuterie board that isn't overwhelming, I find that three meats, three cheeses and a small assortment of spreads, fruits, nuts and breads does the trick. Just grab a bottle of wine (or two) and you are all set to enjoy a cozy evening with friends.

This is how I built my charcuterie board:

Meats:

Snowy River Double Smoked Ham: locally raised, free range Berkshire pigs, fed on fresh grass, fruit, vegetables and non-GMO grains.
Finnochiona Salami: Rustic traditional Italian Salami, infused with wild fennel.
Tyrolean Schinkenspeck: Traditional Austrian cured pork, cold smoked, cured and rubbed with juniper berries.

Cheeses:

The Dragon’s Growl: Creamy Gouda cheese spread made with Dragon’s Breath and Old Growler Gouda from That Dutchman's Cheese Farm. This cheese comes in it's own little glass jar, perfect for placing on a charcuterie board.
The Dragon’s Breath Blue: Beautiful blue cheese with flavours similar to Stilton Gorgonzola and Roquefort also from That Dutchman's Cheese Farm. This cheese comes in a wax pod, just slice off the top and dig in!
Delice de Bourgogne: Rich and creamy soft-ripened triple-cream Brie from the Burgundy region of France. I highly recommend trying this one, it will change you life :)