This is my interpretation of a delicious and attractive charcuterie board.  It doesn’t need a lot of planning, but just some creativity.  You can use some items you may have in stock.  Several basics are 3 to 4 types of cheeses, I used a Wisconsin yellow cheddar, Brie, Manchego, and amish white cheddar.    It helps to cut up the cheeses (except the Brie),  in order to facilitate eating.

Select the appropriate size cheese board.  Set the cheese first on the board (spread them out in a creative way, yet keeping the same cheese together).  Then place two to three small containers on the board (I used 3).  In these containers I put gherkins (small pickles), mixed nuts, and roasted pecans.  You can put olives, or other snack foods as you prefer.

Next I used three types of Italian meets, prosciutto, sweet sopressata, and dry coppa.  You can use a variety of meets, such as pepperoni.  I purchased a package of Charcuterie meats at Sam’s Club.  Lay the prosciutto in a pile, no need to fold.  The round meats fold in half, then fold again to make it look like a triangle, then arrange the meets around the board tucked between the containers and cheeses.

Next add the fruits and give it some color.  I used red grapes (cut the grapes in batches of 5 or 6 grapes), cherry tomatoes, medjool dates, mission figs (cut in half), and small strawberries. (Of course wash and dry all fruit).  Place these fruits around the board where there is still openings.

I also used a small honey jar just above the brie which contained a honey stick, just incase someone wanted honey drizzled on their Brie.

Put some crackers along side the honey jar, above the Brie.

Now fill in any empty spots with some sort of nuts.  The object is to fill the entire board with edible food.  A little parsley or fresh rosemary tucked in at the edges gives it a fresh look.

Use the picture above to actually see the placement of the foods.  By now you should have an impressive and delicious Charcuterie board that you will be proud to serve your friends or take to a party!  Enjoy!