6 rules for the tastiest snack board: you deserve it!
A leftover slice of deli meat, a few ends of bread, a couple of stray Skittles and that apple that really needs to be eaten now: just a few examples of what to put on The Snack Board. Of course, you can also call it a drinks board, because we’re relaxed types. But that’s not actually what it is! So what is it?
Well, with a drinks board, you might serve a drink, such as an excellent rum and Coke. But the snack board is specifically meant for casually snacking from throughout the day, from morning until afternoon. (Until it’s time for the drinks board.)
The idea behind it? That you’ve still gone out shopping as little as possible, and therefore often have some leftovers to use up before you go grocery shopping again. And that you may happen to be working from home behind your computer for many days, and be fed up with walking to the fridge every twenty minutes to see what you’re going to stuff into your mouth next. People, we need structure. And perspective. And looking forward to this board offers excellent perspective! These are the rules, as Amanda Mitchell wrote them for food site Bon Appétit:
Rule 1: There are (virtually) no rules
Do whatever you want! If chaos is your friend, a snack board is your bestie. The only thing you need is a little bit of everything. So, a spicy cheese (we love Appenzeller®), some fresh grapes, basically any fruit you’re in the mood for, a few slices of ham or some leftover pulled tender chicken breast, some salted breadsticks (even though they’re seriously bad when it comes to belly fat), a handful of nuts, and of course those stray M&M’s can join in too.
Rule 2: We do not call this a charcuterie board
Charcuterie is a category all its own. Fine, beautiful deli meats that don’t need much more than some cornichons and perhaps some good bread with the tastiest butter. Here’s how to build the best charcuterie board, and let’s agree that stray M&M’s are never allowed on it.
Rule 3: It’s a party even when you’re alone
Of course, you can always make a drinks board just for yourself, but the idea behind it is more about sharing. So you can toast together and have a drink to whatever on earth is still fun in life, or simply to the fact that you’ve made it through nine months of that stupid lockdown. But you definitely don’t have to share a snack board. You can simply make it in the morning, keep it within reach and snack from it whenever you feel like it.
Rule 4: Work with what you have
Going grocery shopping for your snack board is precisely not the point. You might as well just buy everything you need for a frozen margarita cake, or a bowl of steaming ramen noodle soup. That’s not what we’re doing now. Be creative and use what you already have at home. That’s why all those odd leftovers, chips and sweets are allowed on it too—and anything that helps clear out your vegetable drawer!
Rule 5: It can look nice, but not too nice
You can’t eat a cinnamon stick with a ribbon tied around it. Nor can you eat half a rosemary bush or a boho-chic flower in a hand-blown vase. So they don’t belong on your snack board. Save them for when you set the table for Christmas with three guests.
Rule 6: Avoid the biggest stinkers and crumb-makers
If you shut yourself in the home office/broom closet with your snack board, so you have all those goodies within reach all day while working from home, as mentioned earlier, you don’t want to suffocate in the smell of blue cheese. There are other occasions for that. And crackers that crumble just from looking at them aren’t practical above your keyboard either. So where do they belong? On the drinks board! Instead, try to provide convenient, manageable pieces here that you can slide into your mouth all at once. Enjoy!
Read also:
- How corona turned me into a booze cruise
- Out with the cheese board, here comes the fries board
- How do you build the perfect cheese board?
Source: Bon Appétit
