Description
Learn how to create an elegant and visually stunning charcuterie board featuring beautifully styled salami and prosciutto. This guide walks you through artistic folding and arranging techniques to build a captivating meat display, perfectly paired with cheeses, crackers, fruits, nuts, and fresh herbs for a delightful presentation.
Ingredients
Scale
Meats
- 20–30 thin slices salami (about 8 oz total)
- 10 slices prosciutto or soppressata (optional, ~3 oz)
Accompaniments
- Crackers
- Cheeses (variety of your choice)
- Nuts
- Olives
- Fresh fruit
Garnishes
- Fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme)
Optional Tools
- Small ramekin or wine glass (for forming rose shapes)
- Skewers or toothpicks
Instructions
- Salami Rose: Fold salami slices in half and overlap them along the rim of a wine glass or small ramekin. Add 2–3 layers, then carefully flip the arrangement off the glass to create a full flower shape resembling a rose.
- Quarter Fold: Fold slices twice to create petal-like shapes. Stack these folded slices in small clusters to add texture and volume to your board.
- Salami River: Arrange the quarter folded salami slices in a flowing S-curve across the board to mimic the look of a gently winding river.
- Fan Fold: Take half-folded slices of salami and layer them overlapping in a fanned-out shape, adding a dynamic visual element to the display.
- Ribbons (for Prosciutto): Fold long slices of prosciutto lengthwise and loosely drape them over the board, creating soft ribbon-like accents that contrast with the salami folds.
- Board Assembly: Begin by placing focal pieces such as cheeses and the salami roses onto the board. Layer the various salami folds and prosciutto ribbons around these centerpiece items. Fill in gaps with fruits, nuts, olives, and crackers to balance the composition. Finally, garnish with fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme to add vibrant color and a pleasant aroma.
Notes
- Using a wine glass or small ramekin to shape the salami roses helps achieve a neat and uniform flower shape.
- Be gentle when flipping the salami rose off the glass to maintain its integrity.
- Mix different textures and colors with nuts, fruits, and cheeses to create an appealing board.
- Skewers or toothpicks can help secure folded meats or pick up small items easily.
- Fresh herbs not only add visual appeal but also a fresh scent enhancing the tasting experience.
