While you still may need Google Translate to pronounce this French tradition of assorted cheeses and meats, you do not need to break the calorie bank to enjoy a charming and flavorful charcuterie (pronounced “shahr-ku-tuh-ree”) board.
Even if you struggle with the pronunciation, there are plenty of healthy options, offering varied textures, colors and taste to balance the spread. Here are tips to enjoy a healthier version from registered dietitian, Heather Klug, with the Karen Yontz Women’s Cardiac Awareness Center at Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center.
Part of the fun of a building charcuterie is showing off your creative flair and accompanying your board with a variety of accessories, tools, and garnish. These decadently-presented accompaniments of knives, spreaders, bowls, and name tags add the right amount of style with zero guilt. Try adding garnishes like fresh cranberry, cinnamon sticks or rosemary branches.
If grazing on an open board seems too tempting, consider putting individual servings of your healthy charcuterie options in Mason jars or decorative cups.
“Research shows that the more variety of food available, the more we eat, which can get us into trouble with a meat and cheese board,” Klug said. “I would recommend a more balanced charcuterie board with colorful veggies and fruit present to tease the eye and to help prevent overindulgence of meat and cheese. The fiber from vegetables, fruit, whole grains, olives, and nuts also helps provide a feeling a fullness.”
- Meats: To keep calories and fat intake in line, look for the leaner cuts of meat, like prosciutto, ham, and turkey. Smoked salmon is also a great option and delivers healthy omega-3-fat. Avoid processed meats found on traditional boards.
- Cheeses: Swiss, mozzarella, cheddar, Gouda, baked Camembert, softened goat cheese. Cheese is also very high in saturated fat so enjoy small amounts.
- Carbs: Stay away from empty carbs, like breads and crackers made from refined flour. Choose whole grain crackers or toast your own whole grain baguette slices. Get creative and offer different fillers, like holiday cut out grilled cheeses or flavorful hummus like roasted beet or roasted red pepper hummus.
- Fruits/veggies: Choose berries, grapes, apple, pear and orange slices, dried fruits like apricots, figs or dates and crunchy, colorful raw vegetables such as carrot and celery sticks, bell peppers strips and cucumber slices.
- Nuts/olives: Raw almonds, pecans, cashews, or pistachios; choose unsalted or lightly salted options. Black, green and kalamata olives in a small dish.
- Sweets: Jam and honey and small pieces of dark chocolate
