‘Tis the season to pair meat and cheese for the charcuterie board of your dreams. If you want them both to be yours Instagrammable and delicious, skip Ingredients that ruin your deli items. Cheesemonger Dominick DiBartolomeo, owner The Cheese Shop of Beverly HillsHe notes that edible flowers or other similar decorations are not starters in these grazing trays. “I personally stay away from edible flowers and things like that. Most people put so much filler on the board that guests won’t eat it,” she told the Daily Meal.

He also warns to avoid potential distractions that could compromise the integrity of your board, noting: “Stay away from adding too many non-cheese and deli options, which will detract from the quality of the items you serve.”

While your meat and cheese board is certainly the centerpiece of your breakfast, DiBartolomeo warns that it shouldn’t be treated like a bouquet of flowers, or you risk risking its appearance looking unappetizing. Flowers in general can be intimidating when guests are unsure whether they are edible or not. And even though they’re edible, these flowers have such a mild flavor that they don’t add much to your palate.

Read more: What Are These Imitation Foods Actually Made From?

Use Fresh or Dried Fruit on Your Board

So how do you create a beautiful charcuterie board with lots of only edibles that doesn’t look like your five-year-old made it? For a well-designed charcuterie plate, first organize your ingredients.. This will help you both place your finger foods and create your meat and cheese vision. Plus, if you’re worried your board is looking sparse, the deli expert says you can add fruits like fresh grapes or even dried fruit.

If you have salty cheeses, dried apricots, dates, figs and cranberries are great additions. Their intense sweetness serves as a nice balance. If you really want to put in a little more effort, try adding some. Grilled figs with Greek yoghurt and spiced hazelnuts. Besides fruit, you can also add jam, nuts, and flower honey to sprinkle over creamy cheeses (brie, camembert, or even blue cheese). However, if you want a more delicious table, add olives, pickled vegetables or sea salted Marcona almonds. And don’t forget the toasted pita or sourdough bread pieces that make these boards a filling snack. Of course, if you insist on adding a floral touch to your board, consider turning your salami and sausages into flowers or cutting and arranging your fruits and vegetables to resemble something floral.

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Read Original article on The Daily Meal.