Could you please help me create a charcuterie table for my friend?

[TootTootPeanutbutter]

It's a friends birthday in early March and one thing that she'd really love to have at the party is a huge charcuterie/cheese board. She's always talking about them, how she'd love to have one at a party or if she marries.She is obsessed with delis and trying new foods.

I know that it won't be cheap, especially as it's going to be a table or bench sized one, but a friend who manages a wonderful Italian deli and restaurant is happy to supply some of the products at a discount.

Which cheeses and meats would you include, also sides? My friend also loves sides like olives, balsamic onions, chutneys etc as much as the mains.

Any advice/suggestions would be much appreciated. TIA.

Parma Ham, prosciutto, salami, mozzarella, olive oil, breads, dips, roasted peppers, sun dried tomatoes, grilled aubergine

Grain crackers, mortadella, cheddar, brie,
Gouda, provolone

Check out The Cheese Society for cheesy inspiration.

For meat I’d probably go for some nice cured ones like Parma ham, salt beef, pastrami and some decent gam off the bone. You can get that nice herby Italian one.

Don’t forget pickles!

God I love charcuterie!

No suggestions but I'm drooling!

You could do Italian, French and British and group the meats, cheeses and accompaniments together. Get some good bread too. Cornichons are my fave pickle.

I'd speak to your friend who manages the deli for ideas about what she would make available first, then fill in any gaps.
Perhaps you could make some things yourself, such as a couple of different pates, one chunky & one smooth?
Things like caponata would also be easy to make yourself.

Pinterest is your friend for charcuterie platters to die for, for inspiration.

I love a cheese, crackers, dips and charcuterie platter.

You could make a selection of chutneys easily yourself, apple, carmelised red onion, beetroot, fig. Made now they would be ready for early March and much nicer home made and perfect for your spread.

Don’t forget the chorizo.

Pâté. ALL THE PÂTÉ!!!

This should give you some ideas. I also like the idea of having different sections: Spanish, French, etc.

www.mainandvineshop.com/articles/charcuterie-board/

Salami has to be Hungarian. You won't get it in a supermarket (except poss Waitrose). Once you have a taste for Hungarian salami you won't be able to eat any other.
That's all!

Once you have a taste for Hungarian salami you won't be able to eat any other.

Thank you all so much for the suggestions so far. I've never made chutney in my life but I might try as I rather enjoy it myself, if it doesn't work out it'll have to be the nice jarred stuff.

What would you do for dessert? Another friend suggested a dessert tray with chocolates, fruit, fruit breads, cheesecake, fudge, nuts, Turkish delight, dried fruit,baklava etc? Would that work or would it be too many 'bitty' things?

Sourdough!

Thank you too for the site suggestions. I'll look at those. I'll speak to my friend also for suggestions but I want to have a variety of charcuterie and cheeses from around Europe so all suggestions are very useful.

What would you do for dessert?
Birthday cake!

Some photos here
http://almostmakesperfect.com/2016/09/07/how-to-setup-an-epic-charcuterie-table/

Can I just add tapenade? Delicious and very easy to make.

For a Spanish section -- Lomo, (cured and spiced pork loin) jamon Iberico, and/or Bellota, chorizo - small whole ones and a larger one finely sliced, manchego, membrillo, cabrales (blue goat's chesse) drizzled with dark honey and a fresco, (creamy fresh cheese.)
Serve with banderillas -- pickled silverskin onions, rolled anchovies and stuffed olives arranged on cocktail sticks.
Can I come?

Go and scour the supermarkets now for fancy Christmas food that is being sold at a discount but will last til March eg fancy crackers, exotic pickles, etc.

Membrillo (quince paste) to go with the cheese
Mackerel or tuna pate for something a little different
Kabanos sausages are delicious too

Senua, great idea

YY to Senua suggestion, our Sainsbury’s has Christmas tins of naice biscuits for cheese down from £4.50 to 45p...useby june!