Who doesn’t love some good charcuterie? From gourmet cheese boards to Lunchables, there is something so playful and satisfying about a delicious spread. Recently, grazing tables have been all the rage when it comes to modern cocktail hours at wedding receptions. Guests can select from a range of flavors and textures to build their perfect plate from the grazing table.
A grazing table provides a cocktail hour solution that both minimizes waste, and maximizes space! This option allows guests to come and go with ease as they please while offering very little to make too much of a mess of themselves.
Building the perfect grazing table can be broken down into a few simple components:
Start with the Good Stuff… or should we say Gouda?
There are four major classifications to hit on when planning your grazing table. First, you need a selection of hard cheeses. Hard cheeses include parmesan, manchego, pecorino, and asiago. These cheeses are often the sharpest and richest in flavor. Next, you will look for your semi-firm cheeses. There are so many great semi-firm cheeses to choose from depending on your personal taste. These cheeses tend to be the most popular and include gouda, gruyere, cheddar, colby, munster, havarti, and many other crowd favorites.
You are also going to want to add a selection of soft cheeses. Soft cheeses are spreadable and can be warmed like a brie or camembert. Soft cheeses can also appear more like a crumble or log as would a chevre, goat cheese, or feta. Finally, you should find one or two blue cheeses. Roquefort and gorgonzola make great options for these intense, flavorful cheeses.
Feel free to explore herb, spice, and fruit flavors when it comes to your selection to create an interesting variety of flavor profiles.
Beef Up Your Table with Some Meats
A selection of cured meats is essential for any charcuterie spread. However, when it comes to protein, there is much less of a formal structure. Choose meats that you anticipate both you and your guests will enjoy. Popular inclusions are prosciutto, genoa salami, soppressata, pepperoni, chorizo, and other dried pork-based meats. Seafood lovers might consider including smoked salmon.
Meats provide a great medium for creative shaping on your grazing table. Fold and stack pepperoni or prosciutto to create a river or try out this viral hack for salami roses!
Don’t Forget the Carbs
Shopping for carbs when it comes to a grazing table is pretty simple. Crackers are your best friend. Spend some time identifying different shapes, textures, or flavors in the snack aisle to add variety. Some grazing tables also include sliced baguettes or pretzels for a more extensive selection.
Finishing Touches
Now that you have all of the basics, it’s onto the fun part. In order to bring your grazing table to life, you will need to fill in all of the gaps. Scatter bowls of honey, jam, mustard, and any other dips or spreads your heart desires.
Fruit like fresh strawberries and grapes, or even dried apricots add pockets of sweetness. Add nuts like almonds, cashews, or walnuts along the way that complement your cheeses.
If you enjoy antipasto like olives or pickles, the saltiness adds a great contrast. Garnish your final product with fresh herbs like rosemary or even edible flowers.
The most important thing to remember is to have fun assembling your project. There is no such thing as perfect when it comes to this playful display. Take advantage of colors, textures, and flavors and prepare yourself for a lifetime of people asking if you will prepare the hors d’oeuvres!
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