Charcuterie Made Simple

There is nothing I love more than a charcuterie board, so if there is ever an occasion I can ask my daughter Grace to make one–I do!

Last week on Christmas Day, she made a delicious one that held my people over from brunch to dinner. I took copious notes because I wanted to make it easy to recreate this for a New Year’s treat. I’m always intimidated by the cheese department, but I think we scored some delicious crowd pleasers from Trader Joe’s. If you’re not a Trader Joe’s shopper, many of these brands or flavor profiles are available at any grocery store.

Our charcuterie platter on Christmas Day looked like a Christmas tree. Below, I’ve listed the meats, cheeses, and treats Grace picked in the order they appear here.

  • Tippy Top: Somehow Grace turned a Honeycrisp apple into this star.
  • A row of mini carrots.
  • Blueberry Chevre: This mild goat cheese is covered in blueberries and is just delicious if you’re looking for a spreadable cheese.
  • Club Crackers: These go with everything.
  • Dubliner Cheese: One of my all-time favorites, this cheese aims to combine the sharpness of a mature cheddar and the buttery sweetness of parmesan.
  • Chorizo and Salami: Just the right amount of meat to give the cheese a little bite.
  • Cucumbers: These cocktail cucumbers are the perfect amount of green vegetable for this tray.
  • Gouda and Asiago with Rosemary: Mild and yummy.
  • Truffle Infused Cashews from B’s Gourmet Nuts: These were a separate purchase from Winnetka’s B’s Gourmet Nuts. These cashews are are wonderful on their own, as a gift, or mixed in on your charcuterie board.
  • Raisin Rosemary Crisps: These are my favorite crackers that Trader Joe’s sells. They take every cheese board up a notch.
  • Unexpected Cheddar: This is another mild flavored cheddar that has a crumbly texture but is very good with a piece of salami or on its own.
  • Melba Toast: We needed a trunk and this did the job. These pieces of toast are a fun addition to your cheese board.
  • Flavored Popcorn and Sweet Pretzels: Trader Joe’s always has great seasonal sweet and savory combos that are fun to frame a charcuterie tray with.

I hope this adds a little festiveness to your upcoming New Year celebration!

xo,

My name is Ann Marie Scheidler and I'm thrilled you've decided to check out my blog. I'm a pearl-loving yogi with a thing for travel, a weakness for beautiful bags, and a passion for storytelling. In this space, I'll be sharing stories about my family, go-to recipes, my wellness journey, fashion and beauty favorites, and my love for Chicago’s North Shore. I find new inspiration wherever I go. Thanks so much for coming along for the ride!

Sign Up for Free!

Find out all that’s new on the blog right from your inbox! Sign up for the newsletter today!

Leave a Comment

0 Comments

  1. I wish I had seen this Christmas tree platter before Christmas! Definitely bookmarking for next year xx

    Posted 12.30.20 Reply
    • Ann Marie Scheidler wrote:

      You just made my year, Julia! Happy happy new year! xoxo

      Posted 12.30.20 Reply
  2. Nancy Brophy wrote:

    anne-marie,Can you recommend a good furniture consignment store in your area? Thank you.

    Posted 1.21.22 Reply
    • Ann Marie Scheidler wrote:

      Hi Nancy. Annas’s Mostly Mahogany in Highwood is amazing and Trading Treasures in Lake Bluff is also great!

      Posted 1.21.22 Reply