June's Eat This! Drink That!
Grazing Boards
Whether you’re preparing a lavish spread fit for an Instagram photo op or are simply laying out a few slices of your favourite cheese, grazing boards of all varieties are the perfect addition to any dinner party, picnic in the park or casual weekday evening.
From creamy cheese and cured meat to delicious dips and even fruit, the options are endless! If you’re looking for pairing inspiration, you’ve come to the right place.
Intense aromas with vibrant red fruit, traces of jam and ripe cherry. Medium-bodied on the palate with a balanced finish.
Apples, lemons and a touch of ripe pear just fill the palate. It is a dry, refreshing and crisp wine.
A fruity Rosé with aromas and flavours of watermelon, strawberry, and spice.
Chateau de Montgueret Cremant de Loire Brut
Subtle notes of brioche on the nose with flavours of apple, citrus and honeycomb.
RECIPES:
Ultimate Charcuterie Board
Author: Mum on Timeout
Wine pairing: Evaristo Red Blend
Download the recipe card!
Serves: 6 Prep Time: 30 mins
INGREDIENTS:
Jam, Jellies, Spreads, Preserves
- 10 oz spreads and or jams fig spread, marionberry habanero pepper jelly, pesto, coarse ground mustard, apricot jam
Fresh Fruit and Crackers
- 16 oz grapes at least two varieties
- 8 oz strawberries halved
- 3 oz blueberries
- 3 oz raspberries
- 12 oz crackers
Cheese and Meat
- 10 oz soft cheese (fresh mozzarella, blue cheese, brie, etc.)
- 10 oz semi-hard cheese sliced (cheddar, Monterey, gouda, Havarti, provolone, etc.)
- 8 oz cured or smoked meats (Columbus salami, prosciutto, ham, etc.)
Dried Fruits and Nuts
- 10 oz dried fruits (dates, apricots, cherries, etc.)
- 8 oz nuts (raw almonds, pecans, pistachios, etc.)
- fresh herbs to garnish (mint, rosemary, basil, etc.)
Pickles, Peppers, Olives Etc.
- 5 oz cornichons
- 5 oz stuffed olives
INSTRUCTIONS:
Step 1:
Place all jams, preserves, mustards, or dips into small bowls or shallow dishes and place on the board.
Step 2:
Add meats and cheese, placing larger items like sliced meats and blocks or slices of cheese on the board first.
Step 3:
Add crackers or bread next, spacing them out on the board.
Step 4:
Fill in gaps on your board with fresh and/or dried fruit.
Step 5:
Add garnish and serve immediately or chill until ready to serve.
Cheese Lovers Board
Author: Damn Delicious
Wine Pairing: Quinta da Aveleda Vinho Verde
Download the recipe card!
Serves: 6 Prep Time: 15 mins
INGREDIENTS:
Cheese:
- 8 oz brie
- 8 oz parmesan, thinly sliced
- 8 oz aged sharp cheddar
- 4 oz comté cheese
- 2 oz Swiss cheese
Bread and crackers:
- 1 baguette
- 1 package rosemary artisan crackers
- 1 cup pita crackers
Olives and nuts:
- ½ cup Spanish olives
- ¼ cup almonds
- ¼ pistachios
Fruit:
- 1 cup cherries
- 1 apricot, sliced
Garnish:
- 4 sprigs rosemary
INSTRUCTIONS:
Step 1:
Arrange cheese in different areas of the board, filling in with baguette slices and crackers. Fill in gaps with handfuls of apricot, olives, almonds, pistachios and cherries. Garnish with rosemary.
Vegan Snack Board
Author: No Sweat Vegan
Wine Pairing: Mt Boucherie Rose
Download the recipe card!
Serves: 6 Prep Time 15 mins
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 cup hummus or dip
- 1 cup almond ricotta
- raw veggies (2 bell peppers, 1 cucumber)
- fresh fruit (1 bundle of grapes, 1 sliced apple)
- 1 cup dried fruit (dates, apricot, fig)
- ¼ cup nuts (almonds, pistachios)
- ½ olives (Spanish olives, stuffed green olives)
- 1 package crackers
- 1 sliced baguette
- 1 cup roasted chickpeas
INSTRUCTIONS:
Step 1:
Start with a clean large cutting board or platter. First place anything in bowls (hummus, dips, olives, roasted chickpeas, etc.) onto the platter.
Step 2:
Next, add the fresh fruit and vegetables. Build around the bowls.
Step 3:
Then add the crackers and bread in various groups around the board.
Step 4:
Fill in the gaps with small piles of nuts and dried fruits.
Step 5:
Finally, garnish, add any last-minute touches, and serve.
Fresh Fruit Board
Author: Umami Girl
Wine pairing: Chateau de Montgueret Cremant de Loire Brut
Download the recipe card!
Serves: 6 Prep Time: 20 mins
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 Granny Smith apples
- 1 bunch red or green seedless grapes
- 1 star fruit
- 1 dragon fruit
- 2 kiwis
- ½ baby seedless watermelon
- 2 cups blueberries
- 1 cup blackberries
- 2 cups strawberries
- 2 cups raspberries
- ½ cup pomegranate seeds
- ½ cup cape gooseberries
For the dark chocolate dip
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp brewed coffee
- 8 oz bittersweet chocolate (chips are fine)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
INSTRUCTIONS:
Step 1:
Arrange one or two small bowls for the chocolate dip onto the platter.
Step 2:
Wash and prep all fruit.
Step 3:
Start by assembling the larger fruit. Begin filling in spaces on the platter with bunches of grapes or handfuls of berries.
Step 4:
Work in layers. Use star fruit slices and pomegranate seeds as garnish.
Chocolate Dip:
Step 1:
In a small pot, heat the cream and coffee just until it begins to boil, then remove from heat immediately.
Step 2:
Off the heat, pour in chocolate, vanilla, and salt, and let sit for 5 minutes without stirring.
Step 3:
After 5 minutes, stir until completely smooth and shiny.
Step 4:
Pour into a dipping bowl to serve warm or at room temperature.
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2021