By Grace Papa
POV: the weather is getting warmer, everyone is coming out of hibernation, and you want to have an aesthetic picnic, but don’t know where to start.
Below is your meticulously laid out guide to a picture-perfect, pinterest-level picnic with ingredients you can get right from your local grocery store.
LOCATION
Lucky for you, Pittsburgh has a multitude of places to host a good picnic. If you’re looking for a spot close to home, Oakland has Schenley Plaza, Soldiers and Sailors, or Cathy Lawn. If you’re looking to go a little farther, the lawn by the Schenley Oval has a pretty view of the city skyline. Frick Park is another really nice place to go, and has many picnic tables along the trail. You could also set up a blanket on their vast grass area. Finally, Point State Park downtown has amazing views of the city and rivers as well as the beautiful fountain located at the very tip.
Now that you have picked your destination, you can start putting together a list of the items you need to formulate your dream charcuterie board.
CRACKERS
Crackers act as a bed for toppings—an irresistible salty crunch that contrasts the soft cheese. Some of the best crackers that go with any topping come from Trader Joe’s and are listed below:
Pita bite crackers
Fig and olive crisps
Original savory mini thin mini crackers
Organic naan crackers
Can’t make it to Trader Joes?
No problem! Triscuit crackers are one of my all time favorites and pair nicely with a bunch of different toppings. Even basic Club or Ritz crackers taste amazing with a slice of cheese on top. If you’re feeling fancy, you could even slice up a baguette as the vehicle to hold your toppings.
MEATS
The meat assortment is crucial in a good charcuterie board. Individual slices can be rolled, balled, or bunched into a flower-like shape. A new trend board-makers are doing is forming meat roses by layering slices of meat around a glass. (Tutorial here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCVCNkV7Rg8) Some of the most popular charcuterie board meats include:
Genoa Salami
You can find this salami at any grocery store: Target, Walmart, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s etc..
Best for making meat roses!
Prosciutto
This meat is best wrapped around cheese but also tastes great on top of a slice of bread or cracker.
Can also be found at any grocery store!
Pepperoni
Any pepperoni would work, but I think the Hormel mini pepperonis would look so cute on a board. They’re also perfect to layer on crackers or just to eat on their own!
CHEESES
There is so much freedom in regards to the cheeses you wish to include on your board. It’s really a matter of which you prefer! Some popular ones that are frequently included in boards and that you can find at any grocery store are:
Gouda
Brie
Aged sharp cheddar
Parmigiana-Reggiano
Mozzarella pearls
Pick one, pick three, pick all—it's up to you! It all depends on your budget, preferences, and how extensive you want your board to be.
For me personally, a charcuterie board is complete with just meat, cheese, and crackers. But if you really wanna go that extra mile and make your board look and taste even more spectacular, you can consider adding…
NUTS, FRUIT, OLIVES, AND JAMS
Aw nuts!
Some classic, well-liked nuts that you can scatter amongst your board are cashews, almonds, and pistachios.
Nuts can rack up a hefty total, so if you’re not looking to spend too much money on your board, consider staying away from them. That is, of course, you’re not using nuts you already have in your home!
Fruit me up!
Fruit can really add pops of color to your board. The purpose of fruit is to not necessarily mingle with the meat and cheese, but to add a sweet, refreshing bite amongst the saltiness that is the rest of the board.
By far the best fruit to include on your board are grapes and strawberries!
Olive me some olives!
People either really love or really hate olives. Make sure you know your audience while you create your masterpiece of a charcuterie board. If you surround yourself with olive lovers, I recommend green olives and kalamata olives.
If you decide that olives are a no-go, you may want to consider pickles! Small, vinegary cornichon pickles are a great supplement and add a really nice crunch.
If neither appeals to you, that’s okay! Your board won’t be incomplete without them.
Jam out!
A sweet addition to a plain cracker with cheese is jam! Some of my favorites are fig and apricot jam. This is something you may have to do a little searching for, but it is totally worth it in the end. Plus, it’s something that can be used in more settings other than a charcuterie board.
ASSEMBLY
Arguably the best part of making a charcuterie board is the endless creative limits you have when assembling it—there’s no right or wrong way to do it! Making it your own is what makes them so special. Of course, there is no shame in going off a picture from Pinterest, but adding your own touch allows you to feel a sense of accomplishment. Plus, you get major brownie points when everyone’s complimenting your amazing board.
FINISHING TOUCHES
To transport your board to the desired location, I recommend gently wrapping the entire board with plastic wrap or tin foil. If you have a few extra dollars, you can also consider purchasing some cute flowers for your picnic. In all honesty, they don't serve much purpose other than adding to the aesthetic and spicing up photos.
While the process of constructing a charcuterie board may seem daunting and laborious, it is so rewarding in the end. Not only can you show off your creation on Instagram, but you also get to devour some of the best foods.