Festive board featuring cheeses, cured meats, fruits, nuts, and sweets in a starburst layout for holiday gatherings.
# What You Need:
→ Cheeses
01 - 5.3 oz Brie cheese, sliced
02 - 5.3 oz Comté cheese, cubed
03 - 3.5 oz Bleu d'Auvergne, crumbled
04 - 3.5 oz Chèvre (goat cheese), sliced
→ Cured Meats
05 - 4.2 oz Jambon de Bayonne, thinly sliced
06 - 4.2 oz Rosette de Lyon, sliced
07 - 3.5 oz Saucisson sec, sliced
→ Fresh Fruits
08 - 1 bunch red grapes
09 - 1 ripe pear, sliced
10 - 1 ripe apple, sliced
11 - A handful fresh figs, halved (or dried figs if out of season)
12 - A handful pomegranate seeds
→ Nuts & Extras
13 - 2.1 oz roasted almonds
14 - 2.1 oz walnuts
15 - 1.4 oz pistachios, shelled
16 - 1.4 oz dried cranberries
→ Accompaniments
17 - 1 small jar fig or cherry jam
18 - 1 French baguette, sliced
19 - 1 small box assorted crackers
20 - 1 small pot honey
→ Sweets (optional)
21 - 1.8 oz dark chocolate, broken into shards
22 - 1.8 oz candied orange peel
23 - Festive star-shaped cookies (optional)
# Steps:
01 - Place the assortment of cheeses at the center of a large wooden board forming a star shape, alternating varieties for visual and textural contrast.
02 - Fan out the sliced cured meats around the cheeses, creating rays that mimic a starburst pattern.
03 - Fill the spaces between meats and cheeses with clusters of grapes, pear and apple slices, and halved figs. Sprinkle pomegranate seeds over the fruit for vibrant color.
04 - Place small piles of roasted almonds, walnuts, pistachios, and dried cranberries evenly around the board to enhance texture and flavor variety.
05 - Set small bowls or ramekins filled with fig or cherry jam and honey on the board for easy access.
06 - Lay sliced baguette and assorted crackers along the edges of the board or in separate baskets for convenient serving.
07 - For a festive touch, tuck shards of dark chocolate, candied orange peel, and star-shaped cookies into available spaces on the board.
08 - Present immediately and encourage guests to mix and match flavors.
