Take-out Tuesday, Charcuterie Letter Trays
One of my good friends recently hosted a family reunion
She told me about a very clever idea she had for the party,
large letters she found on line for charcuterie trays
I thought this was such a brilliant and wonderful idea!
I asked her to send photos from the party~
She had the letters filled with nibbles
spelling out her family name on a buffet table
Isn’t that fabulous!!
I couldn’t wait to borrow her idea~
and when my daughter invited us over to celebrate her birthday
and watch football, it was the perfect opportunity to do it!
I decided to use the first letter of her last name,
and ordered a white cardboard C like my friend used, from Amazon
I also found a black metal C
and a beautiful inlaid wood lazy Susan at HomeGoods
I made a mock up of the filled letters with graphics from PicMonkey
to show DD my idea and get her approval~
you know, her party, her house, her birthday~
and she loved the idea!
We used the cardboard C for the children’s table~
and the lazy Susan and metal C
for the main grazing area on her kitchen island
She invited 2 of her besties and their families-
there were 8 kids and 9 adults, lots of nibblers!
DD had the children’s table all set up
It looked so cute with the Halloween tablecloth,
and a witch’s cauldron full of treats…
There was a perfect spot for the white C
which we filled with fruit and cheese cubes
There was also a bowl full of individual snack bags
You might recognize the painted witches 😊…
I washed the black metal C with soap and water
then lined it with fresh spinach leaves
Then I filled it with cheese slices, folded salami
Baby carrots, prosciutto rolls, cucumber slices,
cheese cubes, pepperoni slices, and cherry tomatoes
I tucked parsley around the outside edge
A bowl of Easy Party dip was placed in the center of the C,
surrounded by pita chips
and adjacent to rows of crackers, and a toothpick dispenser
DD’s house looked so pretty with pumpkins on the island
She set up a dessert tray with Halloween cookies and Cake Bites
from a local bakery
There was a drink station on the counter
with water and lemonade for the children~
CC and Charlie Brown were very excited about the party!
DD also set out a tray of chicken nuggets
and NG made some delicious BBQ pulled pork
which was served with Hawaiian slider rolls
Basically DD and I did zero cooking,
and even HHjr had the day off for a change!
The charcuterie letters were a big hit,
and there are infinite themes and ways to fill them~
One of the presents I gave DD was this book,
She and her friends had fun looking at it
and decided to throw a charcuterie party,
with everyone bringing a different themed tray
and having a contest with a prize for the winner,
another great idea!
I had so much fun shopping for the various ingredients,
and ended up buying much more than we used,
but it’s all things that kept be kept in the refrigerator or pantry
for making another snack board
I made a printable for you if you’d like to keep these ideas handy
for a charcuterie spread in the future
You can get the printable download here
Everyone raved over the dip
which could not be easier to make~
Cheesy Ranch Bacon Dip
Ingredients
- 4-6 slices cooked bacon
- 1 cup mayonnaise {Duke’s}
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 pkg Hidden Valley Ranch dry dip mix or 1 pkg Hidden Valley Ranch dry salad dressing mix
- 4 oz grated cheddar cheese
- 3-4 green onions, optional sliced, reserve some for garnishing
Instructions
- Crumble bacon, reserving some for topping. Mix everything together and refrigerate until serving. Garnish with reserved bacon and green onions. Serve with sturdy chips, crackers and crudities
Notes
NOTE:
My friend and I discussed what could be done to protect the cardboard letters from food stains and moisture~a treatment that would be food safe so that the letters could be reused. We ultimately decided Mod Podge would work and she tried it and said it did! Mod Podge is food safe as long as the surface isn’t cracked, so it wouldn’t be advisable on a plate or surface cutting would be on, but fine for placing finger foods, especially if you line the surface with lettuce, cabbage, or any leafy vegetable or parchment paper
You can also make individual Jarcuteries
Enjoy!
I will be joining these fabulous parties and blogs:
Sundays on Silverado/ Love Your Creativity
What’s for Dinner/ Between Naps on the Porch
All About Home/ Common Ground & Follow the Yellow Brick Home
Oh My Heartsie Girl / Turn About Tuesday
Karin’s Cottage Linky Party / Creative Crafts / Crafty Creators
Full Plate Thursday/ Creatively Crafty/ Thursday Favorite Things
Comments
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Jenna, thanks for sharing this very clever idea and the great recipes.
You’re so welcome Bernadette, the trays were a breeze to put together and a big hit with the guests!
Such a clever idea! You have arranged the foods so beautiful and appetizing.
Thank you Angie!
Jenna, what a clever idea and beautiful spread of treats. DD is a fabulous hostess just like her mom. I know the children enjoyed having their own table of goodies. The charcuterie C looks delicious. I think I would have spent the most time at the dessert tray! CC and Charlie Brown are so cute with their beautiful smiles. I know the party was a big hit and thank you for sharing.
Thank you Pam, she is really enjoying entertaining in her newly remodeled home, and we have a lot of fun doing it together 🙂
Very cute idea! I’d like BOO or JOY spelled out for the holidays:@)
Those are great ideas Lynn, I just might have to do JOY for our family’s Christmas Eve lunch!
I love the way your mind works!
Thanks Dorothy, the trays were a big hit 🙂
that’s a super cute idea with spelling something out with the trays! How very clever — I can see why you took that idea! Lovely sounding dip!
Thanks Jeanie, they were so much fun to assemble!
What a cute idea – and so many things you could spell for so many occasions!
Shelley
Thank you Shelley and yes, endless possibilities here!
Oh what a clever and creative idea for a party! I love it! Thank you!
They make a great presentation Nancy and it was such fun filling them up!
I absolutely love this idea: It is darling! I know everyone enjoyed the charcuterie letter C’s. Your creativity is always inspiring, Sweet Friend! Your cards have also encouraged me all during treatment, and I want to thank you for that. 😀
Thanks Ricki, it was such fun shopping for goodies to use in the trays 🙂 and as for the cards, your bravery and positive attitude is beyond inspiring!
Jenna,
What a great idea to use these letter trays for a cheese board. Thanks for sharing this idea and where to buy them. These would be a great idea for the holidays.
Thanks Julie! So easy and a great wow factor!
The letters are perfect! And the bacon ranch dip sounds so good–particularly since I am starving right now! That book on ART OF THE BOARD will make a great gift! Great ideas, Jenna, as usual! Georgia Gal
Thanks so much Georgia Gal! The dip is super simple to make, I even used packaged grated cheese!
Very clever idea Jenna. Bacon ranch dip sounds heavenly. Love the jar jarcuteries. The kids must have loves their own special table.
Thank you Linda, the trays really made a wow presentation!
Such clever ideas! One piggy backing off of the other. I’m sure y’all had fun.
Thank you Linda, it was a lot of fun and the guests loved having a variety of handy nibbles!
Love the ideas of the letter and the jar with the dip . your trays look wonderful.
Thanks Judee, such an easy way to entertain!
Super cute idea of easy entertaining! I love the idea of charcuterie letters, such a fun idea to spell out a name for a family reunion or party! The Art of the Board is full of delicious inspiration.
Thank you Mary, the letters make a wow presentation and no cooking required!
Well THAT’s darling!! What a fabulous idea – thanks Jenna! 😊
Thank you Barbara, it really was fun, and the presentation is so pretty!
I’m so behind from being gone, Jenna, but had to check out this great idea! I love the letters and using Mod Podge would protect! I’m giving Charcuterie books for Christmas. I also like the contest idea and spelling out a name. Your grands are adorable!
Thanks so much Kitty! It is a fun idea for a party with endless possibilities!
Jenna, ! love charcuterie boards – they are like a blank canvas you decorate with food – what fun! And the letter board is a wonderful idea. It all looks delicious and the “board” book looks fabulous. The grands look so precious there. I hope you had a wonderful time!
Thank you Kim, it was such a fun way to entertain!