No-Cook Summer Grazing Ideas!
Beat the Heat with my Formula for the Perfect Summer Grazing Platter
I am a child of the 1980’s. I grew up with Nintendo Game Systems, Cabbage Patch Kids, and making robot voices in the window fan on hot days. Boston in the summer isn’t for the faint of heart, and certainly not the time to turn on the oven! With no air conditioner to cool down the house, we survived instead on my mom’s antipasto plates for dinner. Cold cured meats, cheeses, and fresh veggies… and life was good.
I’ve upped the ante, or rather swapped out the anti-pasto plates for modern grazing platters during the summer! Eat well, but not hot!
Grazer by Nature
I have a bad habit that I’ll freely admit: I’m a grazer. I love little bits and bites from here and there. A bit of manchego with a spicy olive always hits the spot. Maybe I’ll move on to fresh berries and honeyed nectarine slices. Or a few cucumber wedges with creamy basil dip, to refresh my palate. I like to nosh. I like to nibble. I love to graze!
The summer heat makes this a totally acceptable meal plan, and here’s how I create choose-your-own-adventure grazing platters that are filling and refreshing!
Ingredients for a Summer Platter
Start with seasonal produce; Fresh is best, but seasonal is sensational! Run to your local market or farm stand and see what is on offer. July is a great month for cucumbers, early tomatoes, leafy greens, colorful peppers, fresh herbs, and all varieties of stone fruits. Supplement your fruit and veggie order with easily found options like baby carrots, radishes, or even boiled and salted baby potatoes.
Proteins are a flavor powerhouse; I’m an omnivore, so I like a bit of quality animal protein with my meals. Not absolutely necessary, but protein-rich additions to your grazing plate (whether vegetarian, vegan, or animal based) help to round out the platter. I really like to visit my local Italian butcheria and pick up an assortment of cured meats for my grazing plates. Things like sliced prosciutto, smoked beef sausage, or bresaola. They’re savory and salty, perfect to pair with cheeses and veggies. Cold leftover grilled meats are another great addition or even a couple of hard boiled eggs will work too.
Pass the cheese, please; I love cheese! Burrata, Bufalo mozzarella, manchego, smoked gouda, gruyere; you get to pick! Add one or two options to your grazing board and watch as it disappears off of the plate! Soft goat cheeses or a rich brie are beautiful options for your boards as well.
Sauces, spreads, and sweets; Grazing platters, like their older sibling the charcuterie board, really rely on the ability to mix and match your flavor selections. Picking and choosing a new combination of flavors with each bite makes it a taste adventure! Compliment your selections with a variety of sweet and savory spreads like whole grain mustard, cherry compote, fig jam, or thick aged balsamic vinegar.
Nuts, pickles, and dried fruit; Add some pizazz with a few crunchy elements and sweet soft dried fruits. Dried apricots or figs are lovely on a grazing plate. Roasted or raw nuts add some needed texture and good healthy fats. And, who can say no to a pickle?! Pickled peppers, French cornichons, or briney olives add that zip of acidity that we all crave!
Watch the Tutorial
Assembling a Fruit & Cheese Grazing Platter with Edible Flowers
Watch this short TV clip as I share more tips, tricks, and plating ideas to make a beautiful floral garnished grazing platter!
Feature a Friend Friday!
To help share the love, I’ll be sharing other content creators’ upcoming special events, articles, and classes that I think you might find interesting!
First up, a gorgeous opportunity to explore your creative side with a dear friend of mine!
Courage on Canvas - Artist Retreat 2024
Friday September 13th - September 17th, Glastonbury, Connecticut.
Hosted by artist, business coach, and media personality Dionne Woods of The Turquoise Iris and The Turquoise Iris Journal, this wonderful artist retreat is set in the idylic Connecticut River Valley Inn. The talented instructors promise to bring you, “… five days of mindset, creativity, inspiration, connection, friendships, and COURAGE!”.
Dionne is a vibrant creative force in the content creator world! She will be joined by Kelly Wilder; a fellow artist, educator, and small business owner, to lead you through powerful daily sessions and creative exercises to recharge and reconnect with your purpose.
For more information on Dionne and for Tickets, please follow the link below;