Mindful Entertaining: Charcuterie Boards

Hosting doesn’t have to be stressful or wasteful. A charcuterie board is the ideal way to serve a variety of delicious foods while keeping things simple, sustainable, and mindful.

One of the best things about a charcuterie board is its flexibility. It’s easy to scale up or down depending on your guest list, reducing the risk of food waste. Because it’s a shared plate, everyone can take what they want, ensuring nothing goes to waste. You can also make use of local, seasonal ingredients which helps reduce your carbon footprint and support local producers.

How Much to Serve: The Charcuterie Board Formula

When planning your charcuterie board, 250g of food is perfect for a snack or a light meal. If you're hosting a smaller gathering or want something to nibble on throughout the evening, this amount is ideal. Since charcuterie boards are designed for grazing, 250g should be enough for your guests to enjoy without overindulging.

However, if you’re planning to serve the charcuterie board as the main meal, you might want to scale it up a bit. For a more substantial meal, aim for around 300g-400g per person. This ensures everyone is satisfied, especially if the board is the star of the show.

The beauty of a charcuterie board is its flexibility - you can easily adjust the portions depending on the occasion and how much your guests are likely to eat!

You can plan with the below formula to ensure a balanced board.

• Fresh Produce and Pickles: Around 40% of your board. Fresh ingredients like cucumber, capsicum, stuffed peppers, and seasonal fruits are refreshing and healthy additions. Adding extras like quick pickle red onion, gherkins and olives can bring an extra layer of flavour. 

• Cheese: About 30% of the board. Choose a variety of textures - soft cheese like brie, a firm cheese like cheddar, and something sharp like blue cheese. Serve with a knife or pre-slice if you have the time. 

• Carbs: Around 20% of your board. Opt for a selection of crackers, pretzels, bread, or some toasted baguette slices. 

• Dips and Spreads: Around 10% of your board. A couple of small bowls of homemade pesto, hummus, or something similar will tie the flavours together. 

Low-Stress Hosting with Maximum Enjoyment

Charcuterie boards are also a great choice for low-stress hosting. They’re easy to prepare in advance, allowing you to spend more time with your guests and less time in the kitchen. You can assemble most of the board ahead of time so everything’s ready when your guests arrive.

Beyond being simple and stress-free, a charcuterie board encourages mindful eating. It’s about sharing, connecting, and enjoying the variety of flavours together. By thoughtfully choosing what goes on the board, you can cater to various tastes and dietary preferences, from vegetarian to dairy-free, all while reducing food waste.

Sustainability doesn’t have to be complicated. A charcuterie board is a perfect example of creating a beautiful, enjoyable experience with minimal effort and maximum flavour. Next time you’re hosting, consider serving a charcuterie board that aligns with your values and provides a delicious, sustainable meal for everyone.