A festive holiday board featuring cheeses, meats, fruits, nuts, and sweets in a starburst design for gatherings.
# What You'll 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 - 1 handful fresh figs, halved (or dried figs if unavailable)
12 - 1 handful pomegranate seeds
→ Nuts & Extras
13 - 2.1 oz roasted almonds
14 - 2.1 oz walnuts
15 - 1.4 oz shelled pistachios
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
21 - 1.8 oz dark chocolate, broken into shards
22 - 1.8 oz candied orange peel
23 - Festive star-shaped cookies (optional)
# Step-by-Step:
01 - Place sliced and cubed cheeses at the center of a large wooden board in a star shape, alternating types to provide color and texture contrast.
02 - Fan out the thinly sliced cured meats around the cheeses, forming rays to create a starburst pattern.
03 - Fill gaps between meats and cheeses with clusters of grapes, slices of pear and apple, and halved figs; sprinkle pomegranate seeds over the fruit for color.
04 - Arrange small piles of roasted almonds, walnuts, pistachios, and dried cranberries evenly around the board for visual appeal and easy snacking.
05 - Set small bowls or ramekins containing fig or cherry jam and honey onto the board.
06 - Arrange sliced baguette and assorted crackers along the edges of the board or in separate serving baskets.
07 - Tuck shards of dark chocolate, candied orange peel, and festive cookies into open spaces for a sweet finishing touch.
08 - Present the board immediately and encourage guests to mix and match flavors as desired.
