Hello friends,
I am just back from Greece and wanted to share this easy, end-of-summer snack board – perfect for late summer noshing. Also, for those of you who are local, I’m adding my new Fall cooking class schedule as well!
This is, of course, not a recipe, but more of an idea on how to assemble a snack board quickly; pulling together a hearty selection of bits and bites for those days you just don’t want to cook anything, or, for when you want something simple and mouthwatering to pair with wine and friends on a lazy weekend afternoon.
Start with a nice board which is large enough to fit everything (wood or marble always have a timeless appeal). Gather your favorite cheeses; some mild and some with stronger flavors. Add some seasonal fruit, a few nuts, and some crackers. Honey or a favorite preserve is always a good idea, especially if drizzled on soft, fresh cheese or over Greek yogurt.
Arrange everything tightly on the board, use a few small bowls for height, consider the color combinations, and, play with the shapes and textures until you are pleased with the way that your board looks. Don’t overthink it and certainly don’t go overboard. Have fun with it and replenish as needed. Enjoy with a glass of wine and good company!
How to Prepare an Easy Snack Board
- A few suggestions:
- -- Fresh, seasonal fruit, like grapes, figs, peaches, plums
- -- Roasted nuts
- -- Cheeses - gruyère, cambozola, fresh cheese with honey, mozzareline
- -- Prosciutto ribbons
- -- Crackers, seeded with dried fruit and plain
- -- Honey, quince jelly, fig jam or favorite preserves
- Arrange everything close together on a large board.
- Add a few small bowls to contain fresh cheese and jams.
- Fill out the small gaps with nuts.
- Let tho board on the counter for awhile so the cheese comes to room temperature.
- Enjoy!
Fall Cooking Classes at Culinaria Cooking School
(for those who are local)
Couples Cooking – TRADITIONAL GREEK COOKING – Fri. 9/27/19
In this class we will learn how to make authentic Greek dishes by mastering some of the most traditional Greek recipes. You won’t need the takeout menu after you learn how to make these classic and mouthwatering delights right at home.
Roasted Red Pepper and Feta Cheese Spread (tirokafteri) with Toasted Pita; Fresh Spinach, Caramelized Leeks and Feta Filo Triangles (spanakopitakia); Greek Peasant Salad (xoriatiki salata); Layered Sliced Potatoes, Eggplants, Meat Sauce and Béchamel Sauce Bake (moussakas); Ruffled, Vanilla Custard Filo Pie (galatopita)
Couples Cooking – WEEKNIGHT ITALIAN – Fri. 10/11/19
Great Italian food does not have to be reserved for special occasions. It can easily be enjoyed on a weeknight with these simple-to-execute recipes that are sure to please. Grab a friend or a date, pour a glass of wine, get out the red-checkered tablecloth and get ready for a very satisfying feast!
Arborio Rice Balls (arancini); Drowned Chicken Cutlets with Rosemary, Sage and White Wine (cotolette di pollo affogate); Green Beans with Lemon, Garlic and Parmesan (fagiolini al’ aglio e prezzemolo); Classic Tiramisu with Espresso Coffee and Mascarpone Whipped Cream (tiramisù)
Fall Baking Favorites – Sa. 11/2/19
Fall is a great time to bake for a family gathering, a post game party, or after a weekend visit to the farm stand. Come celebrate the season with these fall favorites. (This class I teach with my friend Kathy M.)
Apple Cider Donuts; Pumpkin Ginger Cheesecake with Homemade Gingersnap Crust; Apple, Pear & Cranberry Galette; Hot Spiced Cider
Couples Cooking – THE BOLD FLAVORS OF TURKISH CUISINE – Fri. 11/8/19
Turkish cuisine is known for its rich flavors and distinct culinary history. Centuries of trading and exchanging of culinary practices and recipes with its neighbors has resulted in a complex and elaborate culinary legacy. Come and join us for an evening of cooking of some essential Turkish dishes, which highlight this world-renowned cuisine.
Savory Filo Cigars (sigara böregi); Ground Beef Kebabs with Spicy Tomato & Garlicky Yogurt Sauces over Warm Pita (yogurtlu kebab); Fragrant Rice Pilaf (pilaf); Nightingale’s Filo Pastry Nests with Pistachio Nuts and Honey (bülbül yuvasi)
Couples Cooking – CLASSIC FRENCH – Fri. 11/15/19
Chef Marilena invites you to join her at Culinaria for an evening of classic French cooking. In this class we will learn how to make some delicious French dishes while demystifying some traditional French culinary techniques!
Goat Cheese and Pear Tartines; Chicken with Tarragon, Shallot Sauce and Wine Sauce; Bright Fennel and Olive Salad with a Lemon Vinaigrette; Bittersweet Chocolate Mousse with Whipped Cream and Candied Orange Peel
Holiday Baking – CELEBRATION BREADS – Sat. 12/7/19
With the Holiday season approaching, we always look for inspiration for show-stopping baked goods and breads to use as the center piece on our table for a brunch, afternoon tea, or, any special gathering. In this class we will learn the necessary techniques required for working with rich, yeast-based dough and the many possibilities of filling and shaping it to make irresistible sweet breads. This class is a combination of hands-on participation and demonstration.
Snowflake Pull-Apart Bread with Cinnamon Sugar, Cardamom and Orange Zest; Show-Stopping Raspberry Braided Brioche with Cream cheese and Raspberry Filling and Lemon Glaze; Decadent Chocolate Babka
THANK YOU FOR READING AND FOLLOWING ALONG
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Sandra Mied says
Welcome back, Marilena! I hope you had a great visit and I also hope you will post photos for us to share. I look forward to that every year. So glad I can share with you the new “Marilena Favorites” we discovered over the summer. We tried the easy filo swirls and they have become a staple; we double the recipe and put a log or two into the freezer to make up later. We made the easy oven baked zucchini again… delicious. And when we had an end of summer party two weeks ago the easy Greek Pita Appetizers were not only the prettiest platters we put out, they were also the first thing to go! I experimented a bit for our dairy allergic neighbors by using hummus on half of them. While I fell in love with the feta ones, the hummus ones were greatly appreciated (so that everyone could try them) and were all devoured in short order. I wish I had seen the above platter; I would have tried one of those, as well. Looks easy but really tempting. Thanks for all the great ideas!
Marilena Leavitt says
Hi Sandy!
Thank you so much for taking the time to write this very thoughtful review of my recipes. Your feedback really means a lot to me! So glad to know that you and the family are enjoying so many of my recipes! ?