If you have a family member (AKA guy, man, brother, significant other, dad) who is a true carnivore and is always seeking out “unique” meats and treats to snack on, we have something special for you today! Far enough in advance for Father’s Day but also perfect for birthday, graduation and other special events, special “boxes” of meats — known as charcuterie– are growing wildly popular among the male of the species!
What is Charcuterie?
According to Tim Ray, CEO and co-founder of the Carnivore Club, it’s the ultimate gift for “manly men” or those who are adhering to the Paleo kind of diet — not so much for fitness – but out of personal taste!
In the English speaking world Charcuterie (cured meats) refers to the branch of cooking devoted to prepared meat products, such as bacon, ham, sausage, terrines, galantines, pâtés and confit, primarily from pork.
In France, Charcuterie is a generic term for the products typically sold by charcutiers (pork butchers). Traditionally Charcuterie referred to pork based products however in more recent times creative artisans have incorporated other animal proteins such as: duck, beef, bison, venison, water buffalo and elk.
Similar to wine varietals, charcuterie differs dramatically from one artisan to the next. Each artisan will have his or her own signature based on the individual ingredients used and the techniques used to cure the meat. Carnivore Club is the ultimate club for anyone who loves the finer things in life.
According to the Carnivore Club website, what makes charcuterie a great gift is that it’s often an indulgence found in pubs or restaurants. Now you can get it as a one-time box purchase delivered to your doorstep OR as a subscription model via the Carnivore Club. Once a man gets into the habit of ordering a charcuterie appetizer plate or as a meal, it’s not a far slide down that hill to an obsession of finding the most interesting pairings of meat, cheese, nuts and then marrying the charcuterie array with the proper beverage (spirits, beers or even some hearty wines)
Mastering the art of plating charcuterie takes knowledge not only about cheeses and condiments, but the taste profiles behind the variety of meats. Meat connoisseur Tim Ray, CEO and co-founder of Carnivore Club, wants to encourage meat lovers and foodies alike to feed their inner carnivores by using his tips to highlight and compliment the for the perfect charcuterie board:
Create a complete meal with charcuterie board or platter.
–The basic charcuterie board is comprised of meat, cheese, bread/crackers, fruit/vegetables and condiments.
–To elevate the epicurious experience, incorporate items to consume in between the bites of meat and cheese such as grapes, olives, blueberries, almonds and sliced apples. Check out your local gourmet stores or places like Trader Joe’s to find flavored olives, almonds and other kinds of interesting tidbits to put on that board.
Design around a theme.
Different themes bring together a unique variety of cuts, cooking preparations and flavors.
–Try a traditional Italian board with thinly sliced prosciutto and bresaola.
–A spicy board featuring Italian Nduja and hot Spanish Chorizo, with an original American artisans’ twist
–A French-themed board featuring duck breast prosciutto or a wild boar terrine.
— You can do spins on the flavor profile of the board by featuring different tastes from various regions of the US. Texas would give you a BBQ flavor that is very different from the ‘que that is found in Tennessee or the Carolinas.
Make it visually appetizing!
(In other words, presentation is everything, Investing in some great boards or platters helps create an interesting visual.)
Depending on the size of the board, there should be enough different types of selections to deliver a great visual display.
–Choose various colors of meats, cheeses and fruits that will create an appetizing and inviting meal.
–Introduce complimentary flavors: All of the components on the dish should compliment different flavor profiles.
–Smooth and milky cheeses like Brie are great to pair with more gamey and strong taste profiles like venison chorizo – which is great to top off with a sweet and salty gherkin and pickled onion.
–A fresh French baguette and a sweet artisan Riesling Honey Mustard also pair well with some slightly warmed-up cuts of meat like duck confit.
There are websites that deal in the foodie trend of charcuterie. The Carnivore Club makes it easy to get started with a subscription model to see if the guy really wants to make this a hobby (akin to women who love making cupcakes or other kinds of food.) I know there are books and often classes at various cooking schools or gourmet stores that can offer the person in question information and things to explore. Plus there are places like big box stores that often get diverse sources of cheese, fruits, nuts and meats as they gear up for the holidays. Much as guys like to barbeque and become slightly obsessed with the right wood, cuts of meat, and tools, charcuterie is a taste to be cultivated.
It’s a great opportunity for a guy to bond with family members or friends over a platter of food and some brew.
Check out the Carnivore Club now to see about getting ahead of the Father’s Day gifting spree with a trial balloon box. You can buy just one box for $55! If you want to dive into a subscription, it’s $50 a month.
Have questions about the Carnivore Club? Check out the FAQ’s on the website https://carnivoreclub.co/frequently_asked_questions
The Carnivore Club also have special Father’s Day boxes to choose from that will give you an idea of how this foodie trend of charcuterie can be spun out to
give the Dad – or Dads- in your life a rather unique and luxe gift. https://carnivoreclub.co/special/fathers_day
Stevie Wilson,
LA-Story.com
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My partner Bob would adore this as a gift. He likes all kinds of cured meats, and is curious to try new ones.