Candy Cane Zigzag Board (Print)

Eye-catching holiday board with bold red and white elements arranged in a candy cane shape.

# Components:

→ Cheeses

01 - 7 oz mozzarella cheese, sliced or bocconcini
02 - 3.5 oz goat cheese, optional, sliced or crumbled

→ Meats

03 - 7 oz dry-cured salami, sliced
04 - 3.5 oz prosciutto, optional, rolled

→ Accompaniments

05 - 3.5 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced into strips
07 - 1.75 oz pomegranate seeds (for garnish)
08 - 3.5 oz green or red grapes
09 - Fresh basil or rosemary sprigs (for garnish)

→ Crackers & Breads

10 - 5.3 oz assorted crackers or gluten-free crackers
11 - 1 small baguette, sliced, optional

→ Dips & Spreads

12 - 1 small bowl whole-grain mustard or honey
13 - 1 small bowl cranberry chutney or fig jam

# Directions:

01 - On a large rectangular or oval serving board, arrange salami and mozzarella alternately in overlapping slices to form a bold S-shape resembling a candy cane, starting at one corner and curving toward the center, then back out to the opposite side.
02 - Fill in the curve with additional goat cheese if using, and rolled prosciutto to enhance color and texture.
03 - Place halved cherry tomatoes and red bell pepper strips alongside the red sections for vibrant festive color.
04 - Distribute grapes, pomegranate seeds, and fresh herb sprigs around the board for freshness and visual interest.
05 - Position assorted crackers and optional baguette slices along the board's edge or in a separate basket.
06 - Set whole-grain mustard or honey and cranberry chutney or fig jam in small bowls on or near the board.
07 - Tuck in sprigs of basil or rosemary for an added holiday touch and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours planning when you actually threw it together during a commercial break.
  • Everyone eats better when food is beautiful—this board proves that presentation is half the pleasure.
  • No cooking required means you can stress about other things, or honestly, just relax and enjoy the party too.
  • It feeds eight people and costs way less than you'd think for something this impressive.
02 -
  • Room temperature changes everything. Cold straight-from-the-fridge cheese tastes muted and rubbery. Pull your cheeses out thirty minutes before arranging if you can—they'll taste like themselves again.
  • Pat everything dry before arranging, especially mozzarella. Moisture on the surface makes the whole board look less intentional, even though you've done nothing wrong.
  • The human eye follows curves. That candy cane shape isn't just cute; it actually guides people's hands and their attention, making them more likely to try everything.
03 -
  • Arrange your board no more than two hours before serving. Charcuterie is meant to be enjoyed fresh, and foods dry out or lose their appeal over time.
  • If you're making this for a party where you can't serve immediately, cover it loosely with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator. Unwrap it fifteen minutes before guests arrive, and it'll look fresh and intentional.
  • Buy your ingredients the day before, but arrange the board the morning of or right before serving. This is where the magic happens, and it shouldn't feel rushed.
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