In my new self-proclaimed role as Senior Influencer (no, I have yet to hear from any of the major mags, but I’m sure I will soon) I have to spotlight the latest trends. We are starting with my personal favorite: charcuterie boards.

For years we have called these Cheese Boards, but the new version is oh, so much more.

And as for the title of this blog, there is a precious woman on TikTok who begs her children for a “Carcoochie Board” for Christmas.  I like this name the best.  

My mother, the smart and sassy Sue, used to make charcuterie boards before they were trendy, but she called them Pu Pu Platters (an Asian dish served as an appetizer or main course and consisting of a variety of foods.) I have no idea where she learned about them, but hers consisted of tiny bowls of goldfish crackers, olives, nuts, cheese or whatever was handy. Molly actually gorged her 3-yr-old self on one of these and we ended up in the emergency room, but that’s another story.

Back to charcuterie (a French term for a branch of cooking devoted to prepared meat products, such as bacon, ham, sausage, terrines, galantines, ballotines, pâtés, and confit, primarily from pork. ) Our charcuteries bear little or no resemblance to this. Apologies to French chefs everywhere.

I (and my children) have made elaborate cheese boards for a long time. But then my sweet friend and co-grandmother, Tamala, gave me a book on charcuterie boards that has changed my life. And the lives of my granddaughters.

We now make charcuteries for every occasion. They no longer feature only cheese, crackers and meats.  Boards can be groaning with pretty much any themed items you choose.  We love them for holidays, birthdays, family dinners, you name it.  Wren, who calls them ‘charcoots,” told me recently, “They’re kinda your thing, Gams.”

Oh, so true.

Here are some of our examples:

 

St. Patrick’s Day last year, the girls and I went all out with three boards: salad fixings and dips, veggie rainbow and dessert board.   It was our first foray, so a little rough around the edges.

For Easter, we built a candy board, of course. 

And for my women’s group meeting, I made individual charcoots in mason jars. Too cute!

 

Just the other night, the girls stayed over and Lyla built a charcoot for our movie viewing pleasure. It was epic:

Here’s a note Lyla left me about a board they wanted to do for  Tamala’s (Nanna)  birthday. 

So, yes, more trouble and some expense, but time with my girls is priceless, and it’s something that we share now.  Plus they are learning the art of entertaining. 

Sassy Sue would love it so much.