Sandy Coughlin - Big Boards for Families: Healthy, Wholesome Charcuterie Boards and Food Spread Recipes that Bring Everyone Around the Table

Become friends with people who arent your age. Hang out with people whose first language isnt the same as yours. Get to know someone who doesnt come from your social class. This is how you see the world. This is how you grow.

ROUMAISSA

Probably every parent of grown children can look back and think about things they wish theyd done differently. But this quote reminds me of something we definitely did right over the yearscreate meaningful table experiences for and with our kids. At the family table, we exposed our children to a variety of flavors, people, ideas, and viewpoints. We also taught them about hospitalitythe gift of making others feel warm and welcome. Thats certainly not the only aspect to good parenting, but its a great place to start!

Now, years later, making boards is one of the best and easiest ways I know to foster connection, model hospitality, and create meaningful table experiences for your family. All you need is a board, a few tools, and some favorite family recipes to get started. A board with a lip ensures the food wont fall off, so it wont be a frustrating experiencein fact, itll be quite fun! With just a little effort and inspiration, which is what I hope to provide in these pages, youll be able to create meals that bring your family together to share experiences, ideas, and memories that last a lifetime.

From one generation to the next, in every country and culture, people come together around food boards. Why? Because the best memories always involve loved ones and delicious food.

At the family table, values are shaped, bodies are nourished, love is demonstrated, and, yes, its where our senses etch all of those cherished moments in our minds forever. If you look back, that was likely true for you. Its certainly been true for me.

My mother loved to entertain and showed her love by feeding peopleher family especially. For Mom, even simple meals were small celebrations, always made with love. It was a love she passed on to me and my family.

I started cooking at a young age. Later, as a wife and mom to three little ones, my skills expanded. So did my ability to stretch meals. Leftovers were golden, and I got savvy about using up everything in the fridge. I also realized the value of family meals. Our family was busy, just like yours. Mealtime gave us a chance to connect. Gathering at the table brings families together and keeps them close.

The same principles apply to friends, the ones who are so dear that they feel like family. Like my mom, feeding both family and friends is one of the ways I show love. I would never have imagined her legacy would lead me to start my blog, Reluctant Entertainer, dedicated to making hospitality a household word and encouraging people to feast on life. And I certainly never imagined how incorporating boards into my culinary repertoire would help so many people discover a fun, easy, appealing way to entertain friends, and feed families.

THE BEGINNINGS OF THE BIG BOARD

Four years ago, twelve of my friends visited my small, mountain home for a girlfriends weekend. I wanted our first meal together to be extra special, so I decided to celebrate with a big charcuterie. We squeezed together on the back deck overlooking the trees to drink wine and feast on the biggest, most beautiful charcuterie youve ever laid eyes on! We nibbled on tortellini skewers, savory slices of salami, a rich, creamy assortment of cheese, and fresh bruschetta. Such a gorgeous spread!

My friends took a picture of me holding that beautiful board and shared it online. Before I knew it, The Big Board became a phenomenon. Since then, The Big Board has been used over and over, for every kind of meal and occasion to celebrate food and people. Ive shared recipe after recipe on my blog, inspiring others to join in the experience.

In retrospect, Im starting to understand why The Big Board became so popular. Boards are easy and fun for everyone. One of my core philosophies is this: you dont have to be a great cook or perfect hostess to entertain. Thats what got me started on serving boards for dinners and special occasions.