Burlap & Lace Platter (Print)

Hearty smoked meats paired with delicate shaved cheeses and fresh herbs for an elegant shared dish.

# Components:

→ Meats

01 - 4.2 oz smoked beef, thickly sliced or hand-torn
02 - 4.2 oz rustic country ham, roughly chopped
03 - 4.2 oz smoked sausage, thick-cut rounds or wedges

→ Cheeses

04 - 2.1 oz Parmigiano Reggiano, thinly shaved
05 - 2.1 oz aged Manchego, thinly shaved
06 - 2.1 oz Gruyère, thinly shaved

→ Accompaniments

07 - 1 small handful cornichons
08 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
09 - 2 tbsp grainy mustard
10 - 1 small bunch fresh thyme or rosemary sprigs
11 - 1 rustic country loaf or crusty baguette, sliced (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Place smoked beef, rustic country ham, and smoked sausage in overlapping layers or rustic mounds on a large wooden board or platter.
02 - Use a vegetable peeler or cheese plane to shave Parmigiano Reggiano, Manchego, and Gruyère into thin, translucent ribbons and drape them artfully over and beside the meats.
03 - Distribute cornichons, sliced red onion, and small dollops of grainy mustard around the platter.
04 - Add fresh thyme or rosemary sprigs for aroma and visual appeal.
05 - Serve immediately, optionally accompanied by sliced rustic country loaf or crusty baguette.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It takes 15 minutes but looks like you've been planning it for days.
  • No cooking means you can make it while guests arrive, or prep it hours ahead.
  • The contrast between rough, bold meats and delicate cheese shavings feels sophisticated without being pretentious.
02 -
  • Buy cheeses whole and shave them yourself—pre-shaved cheese tastes like cardboard and defeats the entire purpose of this platter.
  • Temperature matters: take meats and cheeses out of the refrigerator 20 minutes before serving so flavors wake up and textures soften.
03 -
  • A damp cloth under your wooden board prevents it from sliding on the table—a small detail that keeps the moment graceful.
  • Shave your cheeses just before serving; once exposed to air, they begin to dry and lose that translucent, delicate quality.
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