CHARCUTERIE BOARD BASICS RECIPES

Steps:

• Make the whipped ricotta: In the bowl of a food processor, combine ricotta and salt, and purée until light and fluffy, scraping down the side of the bowl every so often, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a serving bowl, drizzle with olive oil or honey, and garnish with cracked black pepper.
• Assemble the charcuterie board: On a large cutting board or serving platter, arrange the whipped ricotta and all of the other ingredients. (Place olives in a bowl and set an empty small bowl next to the olives for the pits.) Set out small knives, forks and spoons for slicing and serving. Serve with bread, crackers and mustard.

Steps:

• Grab your board or preferred serving platter, along with any small bowls (for wet ingredients) and knives or spoons for serving. 
• Optional: spread a layer of parchment or wax paper over the board to keep the fats/oils from the meat & cheese from seeping into the wood.
• Slice or cube the meats & cheeses (if needed), then wash & prep the veggies and fruit. 
• Arrange all the ingredients on the board, starting with the meats & cheeses, followed by the fruits & veggies, then the wet ingredients in small bowls (olives, dips, sauces, condiments). Fill in any gaps with crackers, sliced bread, nuts and bunches of leafy greens. 
• Serve immediately with toothpicks, napkins and/or small plates. Replenish popular ingredients as needed (this almost always happens with crackers).