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Best Game Day Smoked Cheddar Football Board

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This impressive football-shaped charcuterie board features smoked cheddar, salami, prosciutto, grapes, and olives. It looks like you spent hours on it, but it comes together in just 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz Smoked Cheddar Cheese
  • 4 oz Salami or Genoa Salami
  • 4 oz Prosciutto
  • 1 cup Seedless Red Grapes
  • 1/2 cup Mixed Olives (kalamata and green)
  • 1 cup Crackers or Crostini
  • 1/4 cup Honey or Hot Honey
  • Fresh Rosemary Sprigs (optional, for garnish)
  • Small Bowl of Dijon Mustard (optional)

Instructions

  1. Start with the cheese. Take your 8 oz block of smoked cheddar and slice it into even, thin rectangles. Aim for about 1/8 inch thick.
  2. Create the football base. On your cutting board, arrange the slices of smoked cheddar in the rough shape of a football. Start by placing a few slices vertically in the center to form the spine, then layer more slices on either side, tapering them at the ends to create the pointy shape. You want it to be about 10 inches long and 6 inches wide at the middle.
  3. Add the ‘stitching.’ Take your salami slices and cut them in half. Place two long strips of salami lengthwise down the center of the cheese ‘football,’ about an inch apart. Then, cut small pieces of salami (about 1 inch long) and place them perpendicular to the long strips, like the laces on a football. You want about 6-8 of these cross-pieces.
  4. Build the outer ring. Now, take your prosciutto slices and loosely fold or ruffle them. Place them around the edges of the football, creating a sort of border.
  5. Add the grapes and olives. Scatter the red grapes and mixed olives around the prosciutto border. Group them in small clusters rather than spreading them out evenly.
  6. Position the crackers. Arrange your crackers or crostini in a single layer around the outside of the board, fanning them out slightly.
  7. Add the finishing touches. Place your small bowl of honey somewhere on the board, preferably near the top of the football. If you’re using the Dijon mustard, put it on the opposite side. Garnish the whole board with a few sprigs of fresh rosemary.
  8. The final check. Step back and look at your board. Does it look like a football? If not, adjust the cheese or salami. If it looks good, you’re done! (P.S. If you want to be extra, you can drizzle a little honey directly over the smoked cheddar just before serving.)

Notes

Let the smoked cheddar sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before slicing for easier cutting and better flavor. Make sure grapes are completely dry before adding to prevent soggy crackers. Assemble the board no more than 30 minutes before serving. For a spicy version, use spicy soppressata and pepper jack cheese with sriracha honey. For a vegetarian version, skip the meat and add extra cheese, roasted red peppers, marinated artichoke hearts, and almonds.

Nutrition

Keywords: game day, football, charcuterie board, smoked cheddar, appetizer, party food, Super Bowl

Find it online: https://lyrafeast.com/best-game-day-smoked-cheddar-football-board-recipe/