Food brings us together. Sharing food with those we love is a great way to spend time together and make new memories, or rehash old ones. The Savor team gets a lot of joy from sharing meals with friends and family.
Charcuterie is a popular holiday feature for its great taste and variety, but also because it brings people together – quite literally – around food.
The art of charcuterie originated in the 15th century and has exploded in popularity in recent years. “Charcuterie” translates to “cooked meats” from the French words chair, meaning "meat", and cuit, meaning "cooked.” But modern charcuterie boards go beyond meats and cheeses, boasting everything from pickled vegetables to roasted nuts, olives and seeds.
Charcuterie is a fun, shareable way to start a meal, or even stands alone as a meal itself! See our favorite tips for building a charcuterie board this holiday season:
1. Try a rich dipping sauce for a punch of flavor, like Savor’s crunchy garlic in chili oil. Or, add something swicy. This trendy flavor profile, sometimes referred to as “sweet heat,” brings interest and flavor (and a bit of kick!) to your board. Our suggestion? Try a sweet chili sauce as a dipping sauce for fresh grilled veggies.
2. Looking for a brighter flavor? Try tomato bruschetta with a drizzle of sweet balsamic condimento.
3. Whole grain mustard makes a natural addition to any charcuterie board. Savor’s whole grain mustard combines high quality mustard seeds and the perfect balance of white wine and vinegar, giving your diners a sharp taste and grainy yet smooth texture.
4. Drizzle truffle oil over an herbed flatbread or garlic naan for a great umami flavor.
5. Go global! Instead of a traditional veggie dip, try creamy caramelized onion dip or make a bright, flavorful chimichurri vegetable dip. Savor’s chimichurri is full of fresh flavors of parsley, garlic and oregano, and brings a beautiful color. Blend it with cream cheese for a bright and creamy vegetable dip.
Caramelized onion dip recipe
For more inspiration, see our Scoop on global dips
Savor’s pantry is the perfect place to start building out any charcuterie board.