Burlap & Lace Platter (Printable Version)

Hearty meats paired with thinly shaved cheeses and fresh herbs, artfully arranged for an elegant appetizer.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 4.2 oz smoked beef, thickly sliced or hand-torn
02 - 4.2 oz rustic country ham, roughly chopped
03 - 4.2 oz smoked sausage, thick-cut rounds or wedges

→ Cheeses

04 - 2.1 oz Parmigiano Reggiano, thinly shaved
05 - 2.1 oz aged Manchego, thinly shaved
06 - 2.1 oz Gruyère, thinly shaved

→ Accompaniments

07 - 1 small handful cornichons
08 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
09 - 2 tbsp grainy mustard
10 - 1 small bunch fresh thyme or rosemary sprigs
11 - 1 rustic country loaf or crusty baguette, sliced (optional)

# Steps:

01 - Place the smoked beef, country ham, and smoked sausage in overlapping layers or rustic mounds on a large wooden board or platter.
02 - Use a vegetable peeler or cheese plane to shave the cheeses into thin, translucent ribbons, then drape these artfully over and beside the meats.
03 - Distribute cornichons, sliced red onion, and small dollops of grainy mustard around the platter.
04 - Decorate with fresh thyme or rosemary sprigs to enhance aroma and visual appeal.
05 - Present immediately, accompanied by fresh bread if desired.

# Expert Insights:

01 -
  • It's genuinely impressive but requires zero cooking skills or actual kitchen time.
  • The interplay between smoky, umami-rich meats and sharp, buttery cheeses creates fireworks on your palate.
  • It's naturally gluten-free and low-carb, so you can actually relax while your guests eat.
02 -
  • The quality of your meats and cheeses matters far more than any technique; don't waste time trying to compensate with clever arrangement if you're using mediocre ingredients.
  • Shave your cheeses right before serving, or they'll lose that delicate, translucent beauty and begin to clump and harden.
03 -
  • Buy your meats and cheeses the morning of serving or even the day before, but shave your cheeses no more than two hours before guests arrive, storing them between parchment paper in the coldest part of your fridge.
  • Arrange the board about thirty minutes before serving so the flavors can begin mingling slightly, but not so far ahead that the cheeses lose their delicate texture or the onions become too soft.
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