Grazing boards are having a moment right now. It’s true. Why? Well, if you haven’t tried pulling one together, then you are missing out on the easiest – and, dare I say, prettiest – party treat you can throw onto a table.

The best part is the sky’s the limit when it comes to what you can include on it. Mix in veggies and crudité. Stack cookies and sweet desserts. You can even include (gasp) both if your board is big enough!

My inspiration for this one came as I was bopping through HomeGoods. I happened to find a bag of orange and black Jordan almonds – one of my (many) sweet weaknesses. And, there it was! The seed had been planted to create a Halloween/fall-themed grazing board for my friends who were coming over to film another webisode of Magnolia in the Kitchen.

My next stop, naturally, was Trader Joe’s. We all know they’re THE place for anything and everything seasoned with pumpkin spice or splashes of apple cider. I picked up beet chips and sweet potato chips in beautiful burgundy and deep golden yellow colors to add a little fall to the grazing board.

I also snagged two of my favorite TJ’s items that are literally always in my pantry: truffle Marcona almonds and dried apricots. If you haven’t had these almonds before, spend the $5.99 and prepare to become addicted. They are fabulous and are a very easy way to elevate just about any kind of spread. Although, I have to say, after I chatted with my friend Rebecca about fake truffles, I’m thinking there probably isn’t any real truffle in there. Sidenote: who knew that was a thing? Trust, but verify. Either way, I will keep living in blissful ignorance because they are that good.

For the board itself, I put my spin on it and used a silver tray with little feet. It was perfect. It was a bit on the small side, so I ended up serving the Jordan almonds in a little appetizer dish (aka part of my clear glass nesting bowl collection) on the side. For a seasonal flair, I used a few orange cocktail napkins (used during so many of our tailgates) and spider web luncheon napkins that I picked up at Target last Halloween.

Here are my six tips for creating a fabulous grazing board:

  1. Pick 3 favorite kinds of cheese. Things always look better in odd numbers. That’s something my mom taught me years ago, and, let me tell you, it stands true for just about anything. Except for a pair of table lamps or nightstands because symmetry is also an important thing. OK, off of design and back to the kitchen! I usually opt for a soft creamy cheese (like Brie), a sharper, harder cheese (like cheddar, Manchego, or Gouda), and then something funky or fun. You can serve almost any combination of cheeses. Just make sure that your pairings all work well together, i.e. you can top the cracker you’re serving with a cheese and a meat on the tray and they play nicely together. For this board, we used a red wine-soaked hard goat cheese, smoked Gouda, and a cranberry soft cheese.
  2. Add something salty. Olives, those truffle Marcona almonds I was talking about, salty pecans – any of these will work. A little salt and acid cut through the thick fattiness of the cheese, so it’s a fabulous addition to your board.
  3. Fold up 2-3 kinds of cured meat. We opted for prosciutto (get it sliced by the butcher or at the deli counter where it’s fresher and – bonus – less expensive) and Genoa salami. Tear or twist, but fold them so that they fit nicely into the little nooks between your cheeses and other toppings.
  4. Give your guests at least 2 different vehicles for the toppings. AKA crackers or toast points. Everyone enjoys options. Remember to try a few pairings yourself so you know things marry well together. Think outside of the box and serve apple slices paired with Brie and prosciutto.
  5. Bring in something sweet. Jordan almonds, candied walnuts, and dried apricots bring a sweet little note to your board. They also tuck into the meats and cheeses nicely. I always like to have a candied nut on our boards. They add a great textural element.
  6. Make it seasonal. Have fun with it! Add a little Halloween, autumn, or blue or pink if you’re doing one for a baby shower.

I’d love to hear what you add to your grazing boards. Comment with your favorite accoutrements below!