How to Make a Charcuterie Board

The term “charcuterie” refers to the preparing of cured meats, like prosciutto, bacon, salami, etc., but these days when people say charcuterie, they are usually referring to a fun, meat and cheese board.

It is a perfect way to nosh yummy goodies over a glass of wine, a cocktail, or even a mocktail.  It’s a fun way to get creative and add pops of color to your menu to impress your guests. From the board up, here’s how to make an epic charcuterie board.  Whether you are hosting a party or enjoying a family movie night, these are alway a lot of fun.

 

THE BOARD

You don’t have to get fancy here! A simple flat, sturdy surface will work—in any shape or size. You’re going to add layers of goodness on top, so any wooden cutting board, platter, or plate will do the trick.

COLOR & TEXTURE

What makes a great board pop is layers of color and texture. Think bright: reds, greens, yellows, and oranges—strawberries, cherries, olives, sliced peppers—and texture, shiny and smooth, along with rough and edgy—think figs, crackers, and dips.

START WITH DIPS

These are essential – they deliver the extra punch of flavor to each bite. Put your dips in small bowls, along with olives and pickles, cubed cheeses, jellies, and mustards, placing them on your board first, then build the rest of the ingredients around them. This will anchor your ingredients and you can use different shapes and sizes to add depth and variety.

Try:

Nacho Cheese Dip Mix – best served with tortilla chips, salsa, and sour cream

Ooey Gooey Queso Hot Dip – serve with tortilla chips, pretzel bites, veggies

CCB Dip – delicious with raw vegetables, potato chips, or crackers

MEAT & CHEESE

Have fun with the style here—serve cheese in cubes, slices, and wedges, including brie, bleu, fresh cheese, and cheddar. Genoa Salami, Italian Dry Salame, Peppered Salami, Prosciutto are great additions to your board—variety is what will make it stand out! You can even wrap Prosciutto around pickled asparagus spears and layer them on the board. Don’t forget your

CRACKERS, CHIPS & BREAD

This part is important – the delivery vehicle for all that goodness! Try to add two to four different kinds here. Get fresh baguette from your local bakery and make home-made chips and crackers to really take this over the top! We love the versatility of Whole-Grain Rosemary Crackers because you can make them with sesame, sunflower, or chia seeds in place of the flax seeds in the recipe…or a combo of all three!

Whole-Grain Rosemary Crackers – pictured

Everything Bagel Crackers

Pita Chips

FRUIT, VEGGIE & GARNISH

After you’ve stacked your board with your bread, chips, and crackers, it’s time to fill in the gaps with fresh fruit, veggies, and garnishes. There are no rules here! Just go with what you have on-hand, and what makes sense to you! Apple slices and grapes are obvious choices, but you can go nuts here—really! Add almonds, walnuts, cashews, along with apricots, kumquats, and more! The possibilities are endless. Garnish with fresh rosemary, mint, or parsley to add that festive green colour.

And, one last tip, try to add something sweet, savoury, salty, and spicy to every board to perfectly balance the experience and suit every taste in your bubble!

What are your best tips for making “boards”?  With summer coming, what will you add to yours to make it POP?  Share your ideas with us…

Have an Epic Day!

5 Simple Tips for Healthy Habits

As many of you know, I have been on WW for an eternity. LOL.   I lost my initial 105 pounds and am happy to say, I have kept most of it off.  MS has caused some weight gain – the only thing I can attribute it to since I track and am stepping. I’m not beating myself up over it.  It is all about healthier eating and NOT the numbers on the scale.  Now if I could only remember that, all would be well.  Are you focused on healthy eating or the numbers on the scale?

Here are five tips to help you adopt some new healthy habits:

1.     START WITH A PLAN 

Planning out your meals for the week is a great way to set you up for success. I started doing it so I didn’t have to deal with MS struggles over what to fix for dinner.

My advice – Keep it simple. 

I usually plan out on Friday or Saturday knowing I will grocery shop on Sunday or Monday.  Pick least busy day of the week and take a few minutes to pick out some recipes and create a grocery list. I have a meal planner I post on the fridge so I can not only plan meals but also not repeat the same ones constantly.  For some, having “Meatless Mondays” or “Taco Tuesdays” can make it a lot easier!  Epicure has several collections with pre-made grocery lists, swap options, perfectly balanced plate suggestions, and pro tips throughout!

2.     MAKE TIME FOR COOKING 

Now for the fun part—preparing those delicious recipes you picked out!  Making time for cooking gives you the opportunity to try out new recipes, make good food choices, or even remake your favorite takeout dishes in a healthier way at home! YES, it’s also a great way to lower your food bill. Meal prepping looks different for everyone.  For some, it may involve prepping a variety of foods in larger quantities, so you don’t have to worry about it during the week. For others, it is cooking once and using the meat in several meals during the week.  Of course, you’ll need plenty of containers to store your meals and keep things fresh. Our storage solutions make it simple to portion out your ingredients and tackle hassle-free meals on the go!

3.     EAT COLORFULLY 

Adding color to your plate is a simple way to ensure you’re getting a variety of nutrients. Keep an eye out for recipes with more vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts and seeds. These foods are full of antioxidants, fiber, protein and healthy fats—key components to maintaining good health! Plant-based foods are also friendlier to our environment as they require fewer resources and greenhouse gases to produce. You’ll be reducing your carbon footprint while also benefiting from the amazing nutrition benefits these foods bring to the table.  Check out some of our favorite plant-based recipes here!

4.     MAKE USE OF HERBS & SPICES 

Many people consume more sodium than they need. It’s easy to exceed the dietary recommendations, but the good news is salt is a largely acquired taste. So, over time you can actually sensitize your pallet to embrace lower levels of salt. Changing to sea salt or himalayan pink salt is better too. Seasoning your food with more herbs and spices is a great way to limit your sodium intake without missing out on flavor!  Epicure’s hand-crafted spice blends are perfect for creating low-sodium meals while also simplifying your time in the kitchen!  Many of them have NO sodium too!

5.     DON’T SKIP OUT ON DESSERT! 

Toss out the idea there are morally “good” and “bad” foods!

A healthy, sustainable diet won’t leave you feeling deprived and miserable. Food is meant to be enjoyed and your journey to good health should be no different. By giving yourself permission to eat “bad” foods, they lose their novelty and we’re less likely to obsess over them. Remember it’s not about restricting yourself, rather making balanced choices. Give yourself the freedom to consume the foods you love and your health journey will be a lot more enjoyable.  PLUS you’ll be more likely to stick to your routine long term.  Take a look at some of our favorite healthy dessert options !

The journey towards getting AND keeping healthy habits can take time so be kind to yourself. There may be challenges along the way but try to view them as opportunities to learn and grow. I am always here to bounce ideas around with you.  Remember, you are NOT alone. If you’re looking for motivation, support, and dietitian-approved tips, we invite you to join our online community and #EpicLife Challenge starting on May 10th!

Have an Epic day!

Tasty Tuesday: Chocolaty Temptation Petites

Happy Tuesday!

Today, I am thinking about a yummy treat for Valentine’s Day.  I know it is a little early BUT why not be prepared, right?  LOL.

I found this while I was hunting for other ways to use my cupcake mix.  The requirements – tasty, sweet, point worthy AND something hubby would like.  I know it is a lot of pressure for one recipe but I have faith it will pass the test.

Time: 30 min  Servings: 30 petites   Cost: $0.17/serving

WW PP BEFORE icing: 1 point

Ingredients

1 cup unsweetened soy or nut milk (I used almond milk)

¹⁄₃ cup oil + more for oiling (unsweetened applesauce in recipe)

1 tsp apple cider vinegar

1 pkg Chocolaty Temptation Cupcake Mix (Pack of 2)

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. Place Perfect Petites on a Sheet Pan. Using a basting brush, generously brush with oil.
3. In a bowl, whisk together milk, oil, vinegar, and mix. REMINDER:  Let batter sit for 30 minutes BEFORE placing it in the pan to back.
4. Evenly divide batter in Perfect Petites, about 1 tbsp per mold. Smooth tops.
5. Bake 20–22 min, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Rest in pan until cool to the touch, then pop out.

Nutritional Information (based on original recipe)

Per serving (1 petite): Calories 50, Fat 3 g (Saturated 0.3 g, Trans 0 g), Cholesterol 0 mg, Sodium 75 mg, Carbohydrate 6 g (Fiber 0 g, Sugars 3 g), Protein 0.5g.

Tips

Top cooked petites with prepared Caramel or Chocolate Fudge Sauce (icing version). Topping each petite with ¹⁄₂ tbsp icing is still a Good Food. Real Results. dessert!

The 4-in-1 Spice Spoon is perfect for dividing the batter in the Perfect Petites; use the back of the spoon to gently smooth the top of the batter for even baking.

Make ahead and freeze. Remove from freezer 15 min prior to serving.

So, who is going to try these yummy treats?  Let us know what you think.

Have an Epic day!

Tasty Tuesday: Hearty Beef Stew

Today’s yummy recipe is one I use in my crockpot A LOT!!!!  For those who have an instant pot/pressure cooker there are also instructions for it.  I love the fact the cost is only $2.31/serving for 6 servings.  Of course, I always manage to have more than the stated servings… I get kind of heavy handed with the veggies.  LOL.

Prep is 20 minutes and then set it and forget it!

Ingredients

1 tbsp oil

1 ¹⁄₂ lbs (675 g) cubed stewing beef

4 cups water

3 tbsp tomato paste

1 pkg Hearty Beef Stew Seasoning (Pack of 3)

2 lbs (900 g) baby carrots – I add string beans & corn.

1 ¹⁄₂ lbs (675 g) mini potatoes – I use sweet potatoes cubed

Preparation

PROGRAMMABLE PRESSURE COOKER

1.  Program to SAUTÉ. Heat oil; add beef and cook until browned on all sides.
2. Stir in water, tomato paste, and seasoning. Fold in carrots and potatoes.
3. Secure lid. Place steam release valve in SEALING position. Program to HIGH pressure, and set the time to 35 min. This will take some time to get up to temperature before the timer starts to count down.
4. When cook time has finished, let the pressure release naturally for 15 min.
5. Using a long-handled spoon, push the steam release handle to VENTING position. Release pressure completely before opening lid.

SLOW COOKER

1. In a large pan, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add beef; cook until browned on all sides.  NOTE:  I throw everything in the crockpot at once, no pre-cooking for me.  LOL.
2. Transfer to slow cooker vessel. Stir in water, tomato paste, and seasoning. Fold in carrots and potatoes.
3. Cover and cook 8 hours on low.

Nutritional Information

Per serving (about 2 cups): Calories 360, Fat 9 g (Saturated 3 g, Trans 0 g), Cholesterol 50 mg, Sodium 570 mg, Carbohydrate 44 g (Fiber 9 g, Sugars 10 g), Protein 26 g.

Perfectly Balance Your Plate

Serve with 2 cups mixed greens and 1 tbsp favourite Epicure Dressing.

Tips

To thicken stew, whisk together ¹⁄₄ cup corn starch with 3 tbsp cold water. Turn off the heat; stir into cooked stew, until thickened, about 2 min.

Upgrade your stew to a “daube”—a fancy French word for stew—and swap 2 cups water for 2 cups dry red wine.

 

Do you have a favorite recipe you would like to share with us?  Send me an email and I would be happy to include it – if you have a small business, include the link as well so we can share the love ❤

Have an Epic day!

Tasty Tuesday: Be Still My Brownie Heart

Tasty Tuesday is BACK!!!! Lots of yummy recipes I have been sitting on for awhile BUT I am adding WW PP points where I can as well as tips for making things lighter and/or healthier.

TOTAL TIME: 1 hr 15 min (includes 30 min cool time)  SERVINGS: 12    COST:  $0.44/serving

Dense brownies are perfect for cutting into shapes using cookie cutters. A simple cookie cutter, like a heart shape, is best for these fudgy brownies. You can also cut into squares, triangles, or circles.

Ingredients

2 eggs

¹⁄₂ cup oil or melted butter + more for oiling

¹⁄₄ cup water or milk, your choice (I usually use Almond Milk)

1 pkg Chocolate Bliss Brownie Mix (pkg of 2)

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350° F. 
2. Line ¹⁄₄ Sheet Pan with ¹⁄₄ Sheet Pan Liner. Generously brush with oil.  
3. In a large bowl, whisk eggs with oil, then whisk in water. Stir in mix; Let ingredients sit for about 20 minutes in the bowl before putting in the pan.
4. Dcrape into pan. Smooth top and spread to the edges as best you can.  
5. Bake 15 min or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
6. Rest in pan until cool, at least 30 min.   
7. Gently flip the Sheet Pan Liner and brownie onto a cutting board. Peel away the liner from the brownie. Using a cookie cutter of your choice, cut into shapes. Decorate with toppings, if desired.  

Nutritional Information

Per serving (1/12th of the brownie): Calories 170, Fat 11 g (Saturated 1.5 g, Trans 0 g), Cholesterol 40 mg, Sodium 180 mg, Carbohydrate 16 g (Fiber 2 g, Sugars 11 g), Protein 3 g.

 

Tips:

• I use unsweetened applesauce in the recipe to lower the WW PP. Oil is only used in prepping the pans.
• I also use the multi-purpose steamer bake in the oven. 
• Decorate brownies with a thin layer of chocolate icing using the recipe on the back of Chocolate Fudge Sauce Mix. Use fun sprinkles to outline each heart.
• Make brownie cake pops! Roll scraps of brownies into balls, then roll in shredded coconut. Place a lollipop stick into each ball.

This recipe is brought to you courtesy of Epicure – good food, fast & easy. Have questions, be sure to ask!  These ingredients are all Allergen free.  I also have samples available if you are interested!

 

Have an Epic Day!