MARDI GRAS CHARCUTERIE BOARD

Mardi Gras Charcuterie Board

Beads and bling, it’s a Mardi Gras thing!  As part of our New Orleans’ Mardi Gras celebration, there’s nothing more fun than a Mardi Gras Charcuterie Board – easily customized with cheese, meats, fruits, and always some sweets and treats!  Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler – “Let the good times roll!

Mardi Gras Charcuterie Board

SIMPLE & EASY ENTERTAINING!

This year has been a change in the way we gather and celebrate, but even if it's just a few of us on a quiet holiday or weekend, we always love family and friends gathering in a casual, relaxed setting to laugh and just have fun.

Food that is unfussy, comforting, rustic, and maybe even quirky is typically involved.  A charcuterie or grazing board is the perfect fit, because you can choose tasty autumn-themed foods and serve them in a way that people can help themselves and come back for more.  The absolute easiest way to entertain!
 
Whether I'm putting this together ahead of time or for a last-minute gathering, everyone loves helping me put charcuterie boards together!  The perfect time to be creative, flexible and take stock of goodies in your refrigerator or pantry that will come together to make a fun, colorful and flavorful board.

Mardi Gras Charcuterie Board

FOR MY MARDI GRAS CHARCUTERIE BOARD I USED:

• Salami
• Cheddar Cheese
• Gouda & Provolone Cheese
• Trader Joes Cheddar Asiago Cheese Sticks
• Fresh Green Grapes
• Jelly Belly Green Apple Jelly Beans
• Frey Milk Chocolate Balls wrapped Purple Foil
• Fresh Red Seedless Grapes
• Fresh Sugar Snap Peas
• Madelaine Premium Milk Chocolate Gold Coins
• Mini King Cakes
• Sixlets Shimmer Candies (Lavender, Gold & Green)
• Mardi Gras Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing
• Madelaine Premium Chocolate Stars (wrapped in gold & green foil)

 
MORE FAVORITES:

• Fresh Jumbo Shrimp
• Tequila Lime Cocktail Sauce
• Praline Pecans

Mardi Gras Charcuterie Board

MARDI GRAS SWEETS & TREATS:

There are so many wonderful sweets and treats to pick from for Mardi Gras!  And if they come wrapped in shiny gold, purple or green foil, all the better!  Foil wrapped coins are shiny like Mardi Gras beads and add the perfect touch!

A week ago I baked up some Mardi Gras Sugar Cookies and had them wrapped and waiting for our Fat Tuesday celebration.  

Mardi Gras Charcuterie Board

LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL!

​Sweet little Mini King Cakes were perfect as well - everyone loves a cinnamon-swirled cake, drizzled with colorful purple, green, and gold cream cheese frosting.  And tuck in a few plastic babies for extra fun and good luck in the coming year!

For the easiest entertaining, I shop for special seasonal and holiday items as soon as they hit the shelves, and then tuck away until we're ready to roll.  Always a nice surprise to see how everything comes together!

Mardi Gras Charcuterie Board

HOW TO SAFELY SERVE A MARDI GRAS CHARCUTERIE BOARD:

• Some of the foods served in charcuterie require time and temperature controls for safety, particularly meats or seafood, dairy products (including cheeses), dairy-based dips or spreads, most cooked dishes, some fruits and cooked vegetables.
• When selecting meats for a charcuterie board, choosing packaged cured meats that do not require refrigeration and are okay to leave out for extended periods of time.
• If food packaging says to refrigerate, be sure to refrigerate any food on a charcuterie board after two hours if you're planning to nibble on it later. If you are going to throw out the remainder of the board at the end of the gathering, you can safely leave it out for up to four hours.
• I recommend placing small amounts of items on a charcuterie board and replacing them every couple hours – it’s easy to refresh a bowl or small platter and keep food safe and fresh.
• For seafood or dairy-based dips, you can place the food in a small bowl inside a larger bowl filled with ice to keep it chilled (you may even have a dip-server that allows for this).  Likewise, if you have a food item that is served hot, serving small amounts and re-filling as needed will keep the food hot and fresh. 
• Using the same utensils to select multiple items from the board can cause cross-contamination of allergens, which may impact guests with food allergies.  Placing separate tongs, spoons or toothpicks near each item will help prevent this.
• Keep seconds safe!  When serving a large group, you may want to provide a clean plates and single-use toothpicks for repeat trips to the board.

Mardi Gras Charcuterie Board

CAN I MAKE A VEGAN OR ALLERGY-FRIENDLY MARDI GRAS CHARCUTERIE BOARD?

A vegan cheese board is similar to a traditional charcuterie board, but with a vegan twist when it contains plant based cured meats, dairy-free (vegan) cheeses and crackers, together with fruits and vegetables.  I recommend using food labels to identify what each item is so there is no confusion! 

• Cream Cheese - flavored or plain
• Cheese Sticks - mozzarella/cheddar
• Dairy-Free Cheese Blocks or Slices
• Plant-based cured meats
• Rice Crackers and Seeded Crackers
• Gluten-Free Crackers, Pretzels, Crostini or Pita Slices
• Fresh Vegies (avocado, carrots, celery, bell pepper, sugar snap peas)
• Any allergy friendly seed butters
• Hummus - homemade/store bought
• Jams & Jellies (Fig, Apricot or Onion Jam are all great options)
• Gluten-free cookies and candies, including marshmallows, candy canes & peppermint bark
• Fresh Fruit (apples, pears, grapes, orange slices, pomegranate seeds)
• Dried fruit or natural fruit bars or bites
• Protein Balls
• Fresh fruit, dried fruit, dehydrated fruit
• Roasted Nuts
• Seeds – pumpkin, roasted chickpeas
• Roasted or Pickled Vegetables
• Pickles & Olives, Olive Tapenade
• Honey

The Secret Prize everyone is looking for during Mardi Gras celebrations!

MARDI GRAS CHARCUTERIE BOARD

Beads and bling, it’s a Mardi Gras thing!  As part of our New Orleans’ Mardi Gras celebration, there’s nothing more fun than a Mardi Gras Charcuterie Board – easily customized with cheese, meats, fruits, and always some sweets and treats!  Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler – “Let the good times roll!”
​

Mardi Gras Charcuterie Board

INGREDIENTS:
 
FOR MY MARDI GRAS CHARCUTERIE BOARD I USED:

• Salami
• Cheddar Cheese
• Gouda & Provolone Cheese
• Trader Joes Cheddar Asiago Cheese Sticks
• Fresh Green Grapes
• Jelly Belly Green Apple Jelly Beans
• Frey Milk Chocolate Balls wrapped Purple Foil
• Fresh Red Seedless Grapes
• Fresh Sugar Snap Peas
• Madelaine Premium Milk Chocolate Gold Coins
• Mini King Cakes
• Sixlets Shimmer Candies (Lavender, Gold & Green)
• Mardi Gras Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing
• Madelaine Premium Chocolate Stars (wrapped in gold & green foil)

 
MORE FAVORITES:

• Fresh Jumbo Shrimp
• Tequila Lime Cocktail Sauce
• Praline Pecans

 
The secret of a great charcuterie board is to find fresh flavors and textures that work for you and your friends.  Mix and match your favorite cheeses, meats, fruits, nuts and condiments for something wonderful and unique every time!
 
CHEESE:  a selection of 3 or 4 is the way to go.  One cheese should be soft and creamy; another firm and aged, another flavorful, and another that is seasonal and different.  Some of our favorites include:

• Soft & Creamy:  Chevre Goat Cheeses, Feta Cheese (cubed & marinated)
• Firm & Aged:  Asiago and Manchego (similar to Monterey Jack cheese)
• Seasonal & Different:  Fig Goat Cheese Log, Cranberry Goat Cheese, Sun-Dried Tomato & Basil Semi-Soft Cheese, Cranberry White Cheddar Cheese

 
MEAT:  a selection of 3 sliced deli-meats is the magic number.  Something spicy, something peppery, and something traditional. Some of our favorites include:

• Prosciutto (traditional!)
• Hot Calabrese or Capocolla
• Peppered Salami
• Summer Sausage

 
SPREADABLES:  a selection of 1 or 2 gives you a nice balance.  Something with an edge – and another that is a simple surprise.  Some of my favorites include:

• Traditional Hummus
• Roasted Pine Nut Hummus
• Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

 
NUTS & CHOCOLATES:  you can’t go wrong here at all with a selection of 3.  Something simple and roasted, another spicy, and something sweet – the perfect trifecta of favorites.  Popular choices include:

• Praline Pecans
• Marcona Almonds
• Seasoned Almonds
• Glazed Pecans
• Chocolate Covered Nuts
• Spiced Nuts
• Dark Chocolate pieces or seasonal candies

 
FRUITS & VEGETABLES:  a selection of seasonal fruit and traditional vegies, both fresh and dried, gives you a nice balance and a burst of color.  Some of our winter favorites are:

• Red Seedless Grapes
• Fresh Figs (cut in half)
• Fresh Blackberries
• Dried Apricots
• Cherry Tomatoes or Sweet Cherry Peppers stuffed with Goat cheese
• Marinated Artichokes
• Roasted Red Bell Peppers
• Sun Dried Tomatoes

 
GARNISHES & CONDIMENTS:  a simple selection of 2 or 3 rounds everything out – something sweet and something savory.  Crowd favorites include:

• Italian Olives, Marinated Olives, Feta Cheese Stuffed Olives or Flavored Olive Tapenade (visit your local olive bar and pick up something fresh and colorful)
• Honey
• Whole Grained Dijon Mustard
• Bonne Mamon Intense Fruit Spread or Smucker’s Fruit & Honey Fruit Spread
• Fig Jam
• Baby Dill Pickles
• Fresh Rosemary, whole cranberries, and ripe pomegranates or pomegranate arils make the perfect garnish for a Fall or Winter charcuterie board!

 
CRACKERS & BREAD:  a selection of 3 is the perfect amount – if you don’t have room on your platter, you can place them in a basket next to your board.  Some favorites are:

• Fresh Pita or Naan Bread (I LOVE little tiny Naan Dippers on my boards!)
• Artisanal Crackers or Flatbread (something with seeds and nuts are perfect)
• Buttery Crackers
• Pita Chips
• Breadsticks

 
FAVORITE WINES:  Pick a few of your favorites and you’ve got an instant party!  You can’t go wrong with a red and white, something dry and something sweet:

• A good Pinot Noir
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Moscato
• Zinfandel
• Merlot
• Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc
• For something special, serve with spiced Mulled Wine, Sparkling Cider, or bubbly Champagne!

 
HOW I MADE THIS:

1. Choose a nice solid cutting board or wooden serving tray to create your platter.  Your guests will be serving directly from the board, so be sure to use something sturdy.  You can always add additional platters if you are preparing this for a crowd!
2. Assemble your favorites and place on serving board, starting with the mini-cake stand and small glass bowls to hold small items (we’ll fill those later).
3. Although I don’t typically serve sliced cheeses on my charcuterie boards, for this themed board I cut sliced cheddar and gouda, and used a fleur de lis cookie cutter to cut Provolone cheese before layering them on the board.
4. Wash and pat the fresh fruit dry; add fresh and dried fruits for color.  If you’re serving fresh apple slices, soak them in Sprite or Seven-Up and pat dry so that they don’t turn brown.
5. Next up – Mini King Cakes and Mardi Gras Sugar Cookies, all homemade.  These probably took the most time to prepare, but they are so fun and well worth the time!
6. If you serve olives or pickles, place them in tiny bowls so that they don’t roll around and flavor other platter ingredients. 
7. Colorful purple, green and gold chocolates and candies were added next to fill in any “gaps” on my board.  I filled the small glass bowls with smaller candies to complete the board.
8. For serving, have cheese knives, small tongs and small spoons next to the board along with appetizer plates and napkins. 
9. Start with small amounts of each item – you can always refresh your platter as time goes by!
   
   

YIELD:  This was the perfect board for 6 – but it serves a crowd!  Let the good times roll!

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