Football season is upon us! Whether you’re hosting weekly football Sunday parties or Fall get-togethers, making sure your guests have wow-worthy snacks is essential. Tired of putting out the same old chips and dip? We sat down with Chula Vista’s very own grazing board and charcuterie expert, Joye West, to highlight fun and festive ways to elevate your next gathering.
There are a handful of things you can do to make sure your next grazing board is the talk of the party. Joye’s favorite? Pick a theme. For football Sunday, try choosing a soft cheese–like Boursin, and shape it into a football. Next, roll it in chopped almonds and cut strips of cheese for the laces. Voila! If you’re putting together a larger grazing table, throw in some gameday staples like pigs in a blanket, pretzel bites, spinach dip and veggies, or even chicken wings to round it all out.
If you’re celebrating a college acceptance, lean into school colors. If it’s a spooky halloween party you’re planning, throw in some dark purples like figs, grapes, and perhaps even toy spiders to bring out the ultimate spook.
To really up your grazing board game on a regular basis, keep some non-perishables stocked up in your pantry so you can throw together a spectacular board on the go. Things like crackers, olives and nuts make for great staples, and keeping cheese bags and vacuum seal bags on hand means you can keep charcuterie and cheese fresh for longer.
Ready to try it? Here are 4 Keys to a Great Game Day Grazing Board, according to Joye:
- Know Your Guests: Think about what your guests would order at a restaurant and include that on your table. Do they like dips? Appetizers? Do they eat fruits and veggies, or do they gravitate more to salty snacks? Knowing who’s coming and what their preferences are will help you choose items that make their eyes light up. When planning for specific numbers, Joye recommends starting bigger rather than smaller. You can always fill in the spaces with extras later.
- Offer Variety: A good rule of thumb is to have at least 1-2 charcuterie options and around 3 cheeses. For the meats, try a hard salami alongside something a little softer like prosciutto. For the cheese, pick a few types you like. Stay away from stinky cheeses, like blue cheese, unless specifically requested. The strong smell and flavor can overtake other flavors on the board.
- Find Balance: It’s always good to have something salty, something sweet, and something savory on your board. Fruit is a good palate cleanser and does well with a mild soft cheese. You can offer honeys, jams, or sauces to spice up the pairings. “I always like Brie on my boards,” says Joye. “One of my favorite bites is brie paired with a piece of fruit and a drizzle of honey. For savory, I go for goat cheese with pepper bacon jam and almonds.”
- Use Quality Ingredients: Finally, and most importantly, it’s essential to use high quality ingredients on your board for it to really go the distance. This doesn’t have to mean spending a pretty penny, though. While grazing board elements can get a little pricey, stores like Trader Joes and Aldi often have wide selections of cheese and charcuterie at relatively affordable prices. Check expiration dates if you plan to hold on to ingredients for a while, and always make sure perishable items are crisp and fresh.
There you have it! Use these tips to wow and impress at your next gathering. No matter who takes home the trophy, your charcuterie is sure to be voted the MVP.
“My favorite bite is brie paired with fruit and a drizzle of honey."