Anecia Hero of Double Oak started her SmartyPantsKitchen blog two years ago, after studying nutrition and gaining knowledge in food science, food planning and preparation.
“My initial objective was to produce a food blog based on food science, but I quickly realized not many people get excited about ‘why ingredients react like they do,’ so I turned my emphasis on what I know best – Southern cooking,” Anecia says.
From her most popular Tex-Mex Sour Cream Sauce to fried catfish to classic meatloaf, Anecia’s blog contains traditional and contemporary recipes for the entire family. Her site also includes a bit of education – hence the ‘smarty pants’ reference – with an entire section devoted to Kitchen 101 tips.
One of Anecia’s favorite recipes – a charcuterie board - is simple, crowd-pleasing and perfect for hot summer nights, when home cooks prefer to not heat up the kitchen. She says the charcuterie board has evolved into an elegant, yet easy, meal that can serve as an appetizer or entrée.
“This concept has seemingly evolved from the 50s ‘Swedish meatballs in a chafing dish’ through the 70s ‘cheese fondue’ days,” she says. “I think the staying power of the charcuterie board is due to its simplicity, variety and universal appeal. It can be as simple or complex as you like; as minimal or abundant as your budget allows,” Anecia says. “It allows for creativity and what I refer to as ‘food artistry’- the knack for displaying appealing and inviting ingredients as a snack or entrée.”
For more recipes and tips, visit Anecia’s blog at SmartyPantsKitchen.com.
Serve Creatively
Just about anything can be used as a charcuterie vessel. Try pizza stones, decorative chargers, wooden cutting boards or antique framed mirrors.
Include Proteins
Many people include salami or pepperoni, but pastrami, prosciutto, pate and even thinly sliced roast beef can be nice additions.
Say Cheese!
Select three to five types of cheeses with various textures. Include hard cheeses like parmesan or asiago; soft cheeses like bocconcini or brie and spicy, smoky or bleu cheeses.
Something Tangy
Add garlic-stuffed olives, grape and sundried tomatoes and even marinated mushrooms for a little zing. Stop by your grocer’s salad/olive bar to find a few things.
Spread the Love
Add a spread to the mix. Try a nice pesto, jam or course-ground mustard.
Create Depth
If the board looks a bit ‘flat,’ tuck in something green to bring it to life. Try adding fresh basil leaves, kale, parsley, cilantro or dill.