The Crimson Crest board (Printable Version)

Luxurious board with red meats, wine-soaked cheeses, fruit, and breads for an elegant and robust tasting experience.

# What You Need:

→ Red Meats

01 - 3.5 oz prosciutto
02 - 3.5 oz bresaola
03 - 3.5 oz spicy chorizo, thinly sliced
04 - 2.8 oz smoked beef salami

→ Red Wine-Soaked Cheeses

05 - 5.3 oz Drunken Goat cheese, sliced
06 - 5.3 oz Red Wine Cheddar, cubed
07 - 3.5 oz Merlot BellaVitano, sliced

→ Accompaniments

08 - 1 small bunch red grapes, washed
09 - 1 medium pomegranate, seeds removed
10 - 1 small jar red onion jam
11 - 1 cup roasted red peppers, sliced
12 - 1 small handful dried cranberries
13 - 1 baguette, sliced
14 - 1 box red beet crackers

→ Garnishes

15 - Fresh rosemary sprigs
16 - Edible rose petals (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Fold or roll the prosciutto, bresaola, chorizo, and salami, placing each in distinct sections on a large triangular board, grouping similar textures together.
02 - Slice Drunken Goat, Red Wine Cheddar, and Merlot BellaVitano into bite-sized portions and fan them out in separate clusters adjacent to the meats.
03 - Scatter grapes, pomegranate seeds, and dried cranberries around the meats and cheeses; arrange roasted red peppers and a small bowl of red onion jam near the cheeses or in corners.
04 - Neatly place baguette slices and beet crackers into open spaces to provide texture contrast and variety.
05 - Add fresh rosemary sprigs and edible rose petals to enhance color and aroma.
06 - Present immediately at room temperature to maximize flavor and texture.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours planning when it actually takes 25 minutes, making you look like the most impressive host.
  • Every element tastes like it was made for the others—the wine-soaked cheeses melt into the cured meats in ways that feel almost choreographed.
  • There's zero cooking required, so you can spend your time actually enjoying people instead of being trapped in the kitchen.
02 -
  • Room temperature is non-negotiable—cold cheese loses all its complexity and the meats turn tough, so pull everything out 20 minutes before serving.
  • Arrange everything on the board just before guests arrive or the bread starts absorbing moisture and the cheese begins sweating.
03 -
  • Invest in at least one quality cheese knife with a fork end—it makes arranging fanned cheese look intentional and professional without requiring actual skill.
  • If you're serving this at a gathering where people will be standing, cut everything slightly smaller than you think you need to so it's actually pleasant to eat while holding a glass of wine.
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