Description

This festive Christmas Charcuterie Board is a visually stunning and delicious holiday appetizer featuring a candy-cane arrangement of fresh tomatoes and mozzarella complemented by an assortment of cheeses, cured meats, olives, nuts, dried fruit, crackers, and seasonal garnishes. Perfect for entertaining, it combines savory and sweet flavors ideal for gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Fresh Produce

3 fresh tomatoes, sliced into rounds
½ English cucumber, sliced
Fresh herbs (like basil leaves, oregano, or rosemary)
¼ cup pomegranate seeds

Dairy

2 fresh mozzarella balls (8 ounces each), sliced
4 ounces cheese cubes (cheddar, Manchego, or other)

Meats

4 ounces salami or other cured meats

Condiments & Oils

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons balsamic reduction
½ teaspoon flaky sea salt

Snacks & Nuts

8 ounces crackers and bruschetta toasts
2 ounces small pretzel sticks
⅓ cup mixed nuts
½ cup green olives
½ cup dried fruit (apricots, figs, or other)

Sweets

¼ cup chocolate Christmas candy

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Instructions

Arrange Tomatoes and Mozzarella: On a large cutting board or slate board, neatly lay out the tomato slices and mozzarella slices in a candy-cane shape, alternating the rounds to create a festive visual effect.
Drizzle and Season: Lightly drizzle the olive oil and balsamic reduction over the arranged tomatoes and mozzarella. Sprinkle the flaky sea salt evenly to enhance the flavors.
Add Fresh Herbs: Place fresh basil leaves generously around the candy cane arrangement to add aroma, color, and a fresh herbal note.
Arrange Cheeses and Meats: Position the cheese cubes, salami slices, crackers, bruschetta toasts, and pretzel sticks in clusters around the board, creating visual and textural variety.
Fill Empty Spaces: Fill all the remaining gaps with green olives, dried fruit, cucumber slices, mixed nuts, extra herbs, and pomegranate seeds or other fruit to add pops of color and flavor.
Serve Immediately: Present the charcuterie board right away to maintain freshness and enjoy the range of flavors and textures at their best.

Notes

Use a slate or wooden board for a rustic and elegant presentation.
Substitute dried fruit with fresh seasonal fruits like grapes or figs if preferred.
For a vegetarian option, omit the salami and add more assorted cheeses or roasted vegetables.
Store any leftovers separately to maintain texture — keep crackers dry and meat refrigerated.
Consider adding nuts like almonds or walnuts for additional crunch.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/8 of total board
Calories: 320
Sugar: 8g
Sodium: 520mg
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Unsaturated Fat: 12g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 18g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 12g
Cholesterol: 40mg