We’re all comfortable staying warm at home and preparing ourselves for the holiday season
It’s that time of year when we’re all comfortable staying warm at home and preparing ourselves for the holiday season. With everything the upcoming season has to offer, we wanted to provide a fun and different way to make the most out of your Country Harvest products aside from a typical sandwich recipe. We wanted to share some inspiration that will take any entertaining event to the next level and get you excited to shake things up in the kitchen.
Charcuterie boards have taken off! They’re a fun, creative way to share bread, cheeses, meats, olives, fruits and jams. It is the perfect one-stop shop for entertaining, as there is something for everyone. Charcuterie boards can be displayed in a variety of ways. Lately, there has been a trend of using charcuterie boards for more than just cheese and meats. Here are some creative ways to use Country Harvest® to take your charcuterie board to the next level.
Have you tried….a butter board?
Butter boards have become the new meat and cheese boards. Chefs, influencers and creatives are getting in the kitchen and creating these gorgeous wooden boards with butter and bread as the star. Who in their right mind can ever say no to bread and butter? As this trend grows, we’re seeing the creativity from all sides; the flavours, the spreadableness, and the texture. Try making one the next time you have guests over for entertaining.
All you need is delicious salted softened butter at room temperature, a thick spatula, and any herbs or flavours that you’re inspired by or have in your pantry or fridge. Fresh basil butter with everything but the bagel seasoning is the perfect mix of crunchy taste with herbaceous texture. If you want something a little more creative, try cooked garlic with sundried tomato oil and serve with our delicious recipe for Country Harvest® Bagel crisps. All you need to do is slice the bagel thinly, brush it with olive oil and salt, and bake in the oven at 350°F until the bagels are crispy and lightly golden brown. View the full recipe here.
Snackilious! If you’re looking for some new snack options or love using a charcuterie board to serve snacks, these tips and hacks are the perfect places to start.
1. Hummus
Are you looking to change up the after-school snack situation? Looking for something a little different that kid will be sure to enjoy. This hummus board is the perfect place to start. Using your favourite brand of hummus, spread in long thick strokes from the top to the bottom of the board. Take out your cutting board and cut up any crudité that you have in the fridge. We recommend carrots, cucumber, radishes and bell peppers.
Drizzle with a bit of olive oil and sprinkle some toasted pine nuts or pumpkin seed on top of the hummus for a little added crunch. Serve with our delicious homemade Country Harvest ® bagel crisps or toast and serve in cubed chunks. Even if your kids are not fans of vegetables, they will have no choice but to dig into this board because it is too much fun not to eat or try. Give it a shot and share. Feel free to share your creations with us.
2. Greek yogurt
If your kids are craving something a little sweeter or if your refrigerator is running low on veggies, a Greek yogurt board is the next best thing. Spread your favourite plain of vanilla Greek yogurt across a wooden board—season with cinnamon, slivered almonds and a sprinkle of granola.
Chop apples, bananas, pears, and peaches into slices so it’s easy to dip through the yogurt and enjoy. Feel free to serve with sliced chunks of Country Harvest® Cranberry & Oat or Cinnamon Raisin Bagels on the side and get your kids to dip right in.
3. PB & J
Peanut butter and jam is a classic combination that is impossible not to enjoy. If you and your kids are not a fan of it, you can always switch the peanut butter out for Nutella, Sunflower butter, Pumpkin seeds butter or Wow butter. This board is a great way to serve breakfast or an afternoon snack during a play date.
Using a spatula, place a dash of peanut butter, then a dash of jam, rotate between the peanut butter, and jam until the board is completely covered. Add some chopped peanuts for a little added crunch. Toast your favourite Country Harvest® or served as is and let your kids dig in. Feel free to add celery or sliced apples as another option.
4. BB&B – Bagel Brunch Boards
Finally, a bread charcuterie is an excellent way to appeal to the masses if you have friends or family over for brunch. Place your favourite Country Harvest® products out for display on a board and provide your guests with a variety of topping options. Instead of the trending butter board, swap the butter for cream cheese, and top with capers, red onion, smoked salmon and lemon zest—season with everything but the bagel seasoning or just salt and pepper. If smoked salmon is not your thing, swap it out with bacon or avocado.
Serve all the toppings on the sides that you tend to enjoy on your bagels, such as; sliced tomatoes, cucumber and fresh lettuce. A brunch bread charcuterie board is a seamless way to appease the masses without overwhelming yourself with cooking. Provide as many options as you see fit so people can create their own Country Harvest® bagel masterpiece. Feel free to give guests sweet and savoury options so everyone can enjoy what they’re craving. Bagel charcuterie boards are relatively simple to put together and take the stress off the entertainer.
Give this a shot, and lets us know how it goes! Feel free to view our social channels for more inspiration. Get creative with these charcuteries tips, tricks and hacks. There are so many ways to shake it up and try new things.
