Prep Time: 20 minutes | Servings: 6–8 (as an appetizer)
What You'll Need
Mrs. Ruth's Anchors (choose 2–3)
- Mrs. Ruth's Roasted Tomato Chutney — pairs with aged cheddar, manchego, and salami
- Mrs. Ruth's Balsamic Onion Chutney — pairs with gruyère, prosciutto, and cornichons
- Mrs. Ruth's Balsamic Fig Jam — pairs with brie, blue cheese, and walnuts
- Mrs. Ruth's Kickin' Pepper Jam — pairs with cream cheese, sharp cheddar, and salami
Cheeses (choose 3)
- A soft cheese: brie, camembert, or fresh chèvre
- A semi-firm cheese: aged cheddar, manchego, or gruyère
- A bold cheese: blue cheese, aged gouda, or pecorino
Cured Meats (choose 2)
- Prosciutto di Parma
- Soppressata or salami
- Coppa or bresaola for a leaner option
Crackers & Bread
- Seeded crackers or water crackers
- Sliced sourdough or crostini
- Breadsticks for height and texture
Accompaniments
- Cornichons or bread-and-butter pickles
- Marcona almonds or candied walnuts
- Fresh grapes, sliced pear, or dried apricots
- Fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs for garnish
- Honeycomb (optional but stunning)
How to Build It
- Start with your vessels. Spoon each Mrs. Ruth's chutney or jam into small ramekins or bowls and place them first — they anchor the board and determine the flow.
- Add the cheeses. Place each cheese in a different zone of the board, cut or broken to invite guests to dig in. Leave the brie whole; slice the harder cheeses.
- Layer in the meats. Fold prosciutto into loose ribbons and fan salami in overlapping slices near complementary cheeses.
- Fill with crackers and bread. Tuck crackers and crostini into gaps, fanning them out for easy grabbing.
- Scatter the accompaniments. Fill remaining space with grapes, nuts, cornichons, and dried fruit. Aim for color contrast — deep purples, bright greens, warm ambers.
- Finish with garnish. Tuck in fresh rosemary sprigs and add honeycomb last for a dramatic finishing touch.
Pairing Guide
- Roasted Tomato Chutney → aged cheddar, manchego, salami, sourdough crostini
- Balsamic Onion Chutney → gruyère, prosciutto, cornichons, seeded crackers
- Balsamic Fig Jam → brie, blue cheese, walnuts, dried apricots, honeycomb
- Kickin' Pepper Jam → cream cheese, sharp cheddar, salami, water crackers
Tips & Notes
- Temperature matters: Pull cheeses from the fridge 30 minutes before serving for best flavor and texture.
- Board size: A 12–16 inch wooden board or slate works best for 6–8 guests.
- Make it a gift: Pack the Mrs. Ruth's jars alongside a wedge of cheese and a sleeve of crackers in a kraft box for an instant gourmet gift.
- Wine pairing: A dry rosé or light-bodied red like Pinot Noir complements the range of flavors beautifully.
