Family Meals On A Board

Nov 15

A grazing board dinner offers flexibility, variety, and a fun dining experience. With an assortment of proteins, vegetables, fruits, cheeses, nuts, and spreads, it allows everyone to create their own balanced meal, catering to diverse tastes and dietary needs. This style of dining encourages social interaction, as guests can sample and share different combinations. It's an excellent way to introduce new foods, reduce cooking stress, and minimize the need for elaborate meal prep. Plus, its beautiful presentation adds an elegant touch, making any evening feel special.

Serving a grazing board for family meals can make for a fun and engaging dining experience. Here are some tips for putting together and serving a family-friendly grazing board:

1.Start with a Base: Use a large cutting board or even a few smaller ones grouped together with bowls of more fixings, too.

2.Incorporate a Variety of Foods: Include proteins (like sliced meats, boiled eggs, or tofu), cheeses, raw and roasted vegetables, fruits (dried and fresh), nuts, crackers, and breads. You can also add spreads such as hummus, yogurt dips, and nut butter.

3.Balance Healthy Options: MyPlate recommendations can guide your selection, offering plenty of vegetables, whole grains, proteins, fruits, and dairy or dairy alternatives.

4.Make It Kid-Friendly: If serving children, include some of their favorites and bite-sized options. Consider favorite meals like burgers, pizza, chili, pasta, or sandwiches. Don’t be afraid to embellish with more slices of fruits and veggies with dips to keep it fun.

5.Offer a Range of Sauces and Garnishes: Think about the toppings and offer cheese, cut up onions, dressings or dips, and side dishes to fill up the board with fun options.

6.Keep Food Safety in Mind: Ensure perishable items, like cheese or meat, stay at a safe temperature. Cover leftovers and refrigerate promptly.

7.Serve with Utensils and Plates: Provide small tongs, spoons, and forks to make serving easy and hygienic. Have plates, napkins, and hand wipes nearby.

8.Get Creative with Presentation: Use bowls for dips and spreads, arrange foods in clusters, and consider adding garnishes like fresh herbs or edible flowers for an appealing visual effect.

9.Engage the Family: Encourage each family member to build their own plate and try new combinations. This makes mealtime more interactive and enjoyable!

Judy Doherty, MPS, PCII

Judy’s passion for cooking began with helping her grandmother make raisin oatmeal for breakfast. From there, she earned her first food service job at 15, was accepted to the world-famous Culinary Institute of America at 18 (where she graduated second in her class), and went on to the Fachschule Richemont in Switzerland, where she focused on pastry arts and baking. After a decade in food service for Hyatt Hotels, Judy launched Food and Health Communications to focus on flavor and health. She graduated with Summa Cum Laude distinction from Johnson and Wales University with a BS in Culinary Arts, holds a master’s degree in Food Business from the Culinary Institute of America, two art certificates from UC Berkeley Extension, and runs a food photography & motion studio where her love is creating fun recipes and content.

Judy received The Culinary Institute of America’s Pro Chef II certification, the American Culinary Federation Bronze Medal, Gold Medal, and ACF Chef of the Year. Her enthusiasm for eating nutritiously and deliciously leads her to constantly innovate and use the latest nutritional science and Dietary Guidelines to guide her creativity, from putting new twists on fajitas to adapting Italian brownies to include ingredients like toasted nuts and cooked honey. Judy’s publishing company, Food and Health Communications, is dedicated to her vision that everyone can make food that tastes as good as it is for you.

Family Meals On A Board

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