Mini Charcuterie Board for Two

When most people think about charcuterie boards, they usually only picture a large spread at a party or event. But these boards are too tasty and fun to limit them to size or special occasions! This is where my awesome surfboard Mini Charcuterie Board comes in. These healthy platters are perfect for small situations like an apartment dwelling, date night, summer picnic, or even a beach day. It is also a super easy and healthy option that is perfect for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day or a simple board for two. This surfboard mini is gluten free and fun to make!

I’ve been saving this special board in this video for the dads. The dads deserve a special treat just for them and checkout the awesome surfboard styled display board. You can also split for 2 people as an appetizer for a special celebration. I love charcuterie boards! They have been the highlight of all of my recipes and I enjoy making them for you. Checkout the video here:

How Do You Clean and Sanitize a Wooden Cutting Board?

What’s a charcuterie board without a clean sturdy base? Although you can be fairly creative with choosing a base for your board, I tend to lean toward a wooden cutting board. You may notice that in my previous articles I have a couple different shapes and size wood boards. Traditionally, charcuterie is almost always presented on a board in order to make it more aesthetically pleasing. Because so many different foods and flavors go on top of the board, you should be sure it is properly cleaned between each use.

For wooden cutting boards, I recommend washing by hand instead of using the dishwasher. Similar to the way it can cause cracks in wooden spoons, wooden boards are at high risk of splitting in the dishwasher. Once splits or cracks develop, food and liquids can make their way into the crevices, leading to bacteria, food borne illnesses, and mold. In order to keep your charcuterie boards in good shape for longer, you’ll want to wash them by hand directly after use. You can simply use dish soap and lots of hot water for this (If your board is already cracked, be careful to spend more time on those damaged areas).

Once your board is clean, it is helpful to fully disinfect the surface with pure white vinegar (any other kind of vinegar may cause a lingering smell). There are a couple different techniques that work for this: for one, you can soak a cloth in a solution that is one part vinegar and three or four parts water and thoroughly wipe down the board. Another technique is soaking the entire board in the solution for just a few minutes before rinsing and drying it. Bleach is also commonly used for this by mixing one-two tablespoons into a gallon of water. The most natural method of cleaning, however, is with the use of lemon and kosher or sea salt. For this, just cover the board in salt and rub half a lemon across the surface like a sponge. Last, but definitely not least, make sure to always dry your wood board completely after cleaning or disinfecting it to preserve it.

What Oil Do You Use on a Charcuterie Board?

One way to take care of your wooden charcuterie boards is by applying oil regularly. Oil adds an extra layer of protection so foods don’t seep in as easily. However, this doesn’t apply to any kind of oil. When caring for your wood board it is best to use food-grade mineral oil. Other acceptable alternatives would be food-grade hemp or flaxseed oil as well as food-grade wax to add an additional layer of protection. To apply one of these, simply rub the oil across the surface of your dry board, thus allowing it to fill the crevices of the wood to prevent bacteria.

Make sure to stay away from using organic oils, such as olive or vegetable oils, on your board as much as you can. These types of oil have the tendency to go bad and create an odor in and on your board that is particularly unpleasant and can ruin the food and presentation of your board. Once your board is completely cleaned and disinfected, it is helpful to store the board in an open and dry area to prevent any added moisture from invading the wood fibers and disfiguring it.

How Do You Get Stains Out of a Charcuterie Board?

If you’re anything like me, you’re a sucker for fresh fruit and vegetables on your charcuterie boards! They are both tasty and healthy, making them the perfect addition for the platter. However, they tend to have colorful juices that can leak into the wooden board and stain it. One quick and easy way to remove stains from your charcuterie board (or any wooden cutting board) is by applying the same lemon technique that I had previously mentioned. Simply sprinkle coarse salt or baking soda onto the stained area. Slice a lemon in half and scrub the stain with it until the stain has lifted. If you don’t happen to have a lemon, the technique still works with salt or baking soda and a sponge, rag, or brush dipped into hot water. Doing this also helps to remove any odors on your board and keeps them fresh and ready for the next use!

How Do I Arrange a Small Charcuterie Board?

Much like you would fashion a larger charcuterie board, arranging a small charcuterie board focuses more on the use of the little amount of space that you have to work with. When putting a mini board together, make sure to use smaller bowls and platters for your dips, sauces or jams. I recommend placing these on the board first to begin to create a bit of structure to build on or around. Another helpful tip is cutting up your cheeses and meats into smaller pieces than you might normally make. For this, you can make thinner slices or even cut them into cubes.

I chose to stack my cheeses on top of each other more so than fanning them out in order to save room. You can even pre-combine some of your meats and cheeses by wrapping/rolling them together similarly to the way that I did. Once the meats and cheeses are added, you can now move onto lining the crackers up along the borders of the board. I found that this was a helpful way to outline the smaller foods (like blueberries or nuts) to keep them from rolling away. Once I created that shape, I went ahead and added the fruit and nuts into the open spaces. Although you are free to mix and match as you please, my advice is to opt for smaller fruits, like berries, or others that can be sliced thinly in order to fit a larger quantity onto your charcuterie board.

Ingredients for my Mini Charcuterie Board on a Bamboo Surfboard

Gluten Free Pretzels
Sweet Potato Crackers
Pistachios
Red Apple
Blueberries
Hummus
Cheddar Cheese Squares
Havarti Cheese Squares
Salami and Prosciutto wrapped with Provolone

Again, you can get as creative as you like with these boards! I encourage you to try out different flavor and color combinations each time for a personalized mini charcuterie board. And I’d love for you to share some of your creations with me on Facebook or Instagram!