Looking for something delicious and fun to make for a date night treat? Tired of the same old, same old and have the urge to dress things up with a real family pleaser? Want an idea for some special holiday fare? Charcuterie boards not only resemble a piece of art, but they are great for some gorgeous grazing!

Don’t be intimidated. There is no right or wrong way to create an amazing charcuterie board. Feel free to reflect your style and tastes. Here are just some ideas to help you along…

Believe it or not, you just need a cutting board and some ramekins to get started. Sumptuous staples include cured meats like salami and prosciutto. Then you need a variety of cheeses…savory options such as a sundried tomato and basil cheese log and fruity concoctions such as blueberry compote covered goat cheese can be game changers. Mix it up with soft cheeses, like mozzarella or brie and sliced hard cheeses, like cheddar or gouda. Hot and sweet mustards are excellent additions, as well as small sweet pickles or sliced kosher dills….even pickled vegetables, which can add a wonderful element of color. You can also add homemade preserves, honey, dried apricots, almonds, grapes, figs and pear slices. The sky’s the limit! Then garnish with sprigs of rosemary and seasonal berries for some added appeal.

Then just arrange everything, mixing up flavors, colors and textures to create a board of beauty. And here’s a handy tip: While you are creating your masterpiece, keep some extras off to the side for easy refills. Now go ahead and fill that board to the gills and enjoy!