There’s something really magical about a charcuterie board. First, the act of planning and designing it is both a creative and intuitive process. You can customize it to any size or style of event and palate — large super bowl party, casual game night, intimate holiday party, or make it plant-based or strictly desserts. It also encourages both the builder and the eater to play with their food (my favorite thing!), physically arranging the foods or constructing the perfect bite with the ideal balance of flavors and textures. Crafting a beautiful and delicious board plucks at your creative brain through both designing and arranging the board through functionality and aesthetic…

I believe the best meals are shared with others and a charcuterie board is a beautiful, interactive way to draw guests into great conversation around something nourishing and comforting. While the board I am featuring in this post is larger and elaborate, please know that what makes a charcuterie spread great is that it can be adapted to any size space, budget, and dietary needs. All you need to know are the essentials, and you can customize your own from there! Let’s get started.

Cranberry sauce has always been one of my favorite parts of Thanksgiving although admittedly, up until recently, I’ve been Team Canned Cranberry. I still enjoy the thick gelatinous texture but have grown away from the can shape and over-sweetened flavor. These days, I’m more into minimal sweetness and really letting the flavor of what I’m sweetening shine on their own. I also have an affinity for sour things, so I love letting this tart cranberry-citrus combo sing.

If sweeter sauce is your thing, fear not. You can easily add a little extra sugar to this recipe without compromising the texture. This recipe is ready in 40 minutes and requires minimal baby-sitting.

Breakfast? Dessert? Snack? Get yourself a dish that can do all three! This sweet and savory peach bake is the perfect addition to your summer meal prep lineup. With an oat and walnut base, it’s a great source of fiber, healthy fats, and protein for sustainable energy any time of day. The lightly sweetened rosemary peach topping combines with the crust for delicious sticky and moist crumbles in every bite.

Think of it as peach-cobbler-meets…

If you asked me for a fool-proof, crowd pleasing appetizer for all your summer adventures (BBQ, picnic, lazy pool day, etc)… this would be it! A perfect blend of tangy-salty-sweetness paired with bright mint and a hint of spice, this summer salad hits the spot every time!

It’s so easy to make, I’d barely even call this a recipe. It can also easily be adjusted to suit any serving size and palate.