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Stunning Christmas Eve Charcuterie Board with Rosemary Trees

Christmas Eve charcuterie board with rosemary trees - featured image
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A festive and beautiful charcuterie board featuring rosemary trees made from cheese wedges, perfect for Christmas Eve gatherings. Easy to assemble with simple ingredients, it’s a crowd-pleaser that looks like a work of art.

Ingredients

  • Brie cheese (8 oz wheel)
  • Aged cheddar (8 oz block)
  • Manchego (8 oz wedge)
  • Prosciutto (4 oz, thinly sliced)
  • Salami (4 oz)
  • Fresh rosemary sprigs (6-8 large sprigs)
  • Red seedless grapes (1 cup)
  • Dried figs (1/2 cup)
  • Honey (1/4 cup)
  • Crackers (1 box, about 8 oz)
  • Fresh apple (1, sliced)
  • Fresh pear (1, sliced)
  • Almonds (1/2 cup, roasted and salted)
  • Dark chocolate (2 oz, broken into pieces)
  • Fresh cranberries (1/4 cup, for garnish)
  • Toothpicks or small wooden skewers (for rosemary trees)

Instructions

  1. Start with the cheese (5 minutes). Unwrap your brie and place it whole on the board, slightly off-center. Cut the cheddar and manchego into thin triangles or rectangles—about 1/4 inch thick. Arrange them in a fan pattern near the brie, leaving space between each cheese type.
  2. Make the rosemary trees (3 minutes). Take your fresh rosemary sprigs and trim the bottoms so they’re about 4 inches long. Insert a toothpick or small skewer into the bottom inch of each sprig. Gently press the skewered end into the top of the brie wheel, angling the sprig so it stands upright like a tiny tree. Add 2-3 sprigs around the brie. For the cheddar and manchego, tuck smaller rosemary sprigs directly into the cheese slices without skewers.
  3. Add the meats (3 minutes). Fold the prosciutto slices into loose ribbons or rosettes and place them in a cluster near one edge of the board. Fan the salami slices in a row next to the prosciutto.
  4. Place the fruit (3 minutes). Scatter the red grapes in small clusters around the cheeses. Tuck the dried figs between the cheese wedges. Arrange the apple and pear slices in a fan pattern along one side of the board.
  5. Add the nuts and chocolate (2 minutes). Sprinkle the almonds in small piles around the board, filling in empty spaces. Break the dark chocolate into small pieces and tuck them near the fruit.
  6. Pour the honey (1 minute). Spoon the honey into a small bowl and place it near the brie. Drizzle a tiny bit directly over the brie if desired.
  7. Arrange the crackers (2 minutes). Fan the crackers in a row along one edge of the board, or pile them in a small basket next to the board.
  8. Garnish with cranberries (1 minute). Scatter a handful of fresh cranberries around the board for a pop of festive red.
  9. Final check (1 minute). Step back and look at your board. Fill in any bare spots with extra nuts, fruit, or a few extra rosemary sprigs.

Notes

Let cheeses sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before serving. For a vegetarian version, skip the meats and add marinated artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, and an extra cheese like goat cheese. To keep apple slices from browning, toss them in lemon juice. The board can be assembled up to 4 hours ahead; refrigerate if not serving immediately, but bring to room temperature 30 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: charcuterie board, Christmas Eve, rosemary trees, holiday appetizer, cheese board, prosciutto, brie, easy appetizer

Find it online: https://cookluma.com/stunning-christmas-eve-charcuterie-board-with-rosemary-trees/