Philadelphia Themed Charcuterie Board

Note: I was sent some Philly Pretzel Factory coupons in order to write this post. Opinions are mine alone. 

It is no secret that I am a proud Philadelphian. It’s also no secret that I love me a good charcuterie board / cheese plate. So it’s about time I make a Philadelphia themed charcuterie board!

What could possibly make a charcuterie board Philadelphia themed, you ask? The inspiration of this board came from Philly Pretzel Company, and their pretzel rivets and mini cheesesteaks. Instead of using crackers, I substituted in their yummy pretzel rivets and added in some mini cheesesteaks for good measure.

I then added in ingredients from some of my other Philadelphia favorites: DiBruno Brothers, Dietz and Watson, and Third Wheel Cheese Co.

The result is a wonderfully Philly-centric charcuterie board that is guaranteed to be a hit!

So, let’s break down what exactly else is on this board, starting with the ingredients from Philly Pretzel Factory:

  • The pretzel rivets are the perfect addition to a charcuterie board
  • Mini cheesesteaks combine some of the other ingredients on the board into one yummy bite
  • The spicy brown mustard works well with the rivets, plus many of the meats and cheeses on the board
  • The melted cheddar cheese is a must-have with the rivets (plus, dipping some of the meat into it is kind of amazing)

Next, Third Wheel Cheese. You can order these cheeses separately, or as part of a “Choose Your Own Adventure” cheese sampler.

  • Noblette Brie – Buttery, earthy, mushroomy, brie-like goodness. The tart, lactic and creamy cheese is aged 4-6 weeks.
  • Abruzze Jawn – Spiced with whole peppercorns, garlic, onion powder, and red pepper flakes.
  • Goat Rodeo Bamboozle – Semi-soft texture with notes of prosciutto and peanuts, this washed rind goat and cow’s milk cheese is aged for at least two months and washed with beer from Pittsburgh’s Cinderlands Beer Co.
  • Birchrun Hills Blue – Sweet and peppery with delicate blue flavors and a creamy texture.

I couldn’t leave out Dietz and Watson!

  • Truffle Salami Medallions – Salami made with truffle
  • Dietz Nuts Original – Savory sausage bites, based on Dietz & Watson’s traditional European landjaeger.

And last but not least, I used a bunch of ingredients from DiBruno Bros.

  • Manchego – Buttery and springy, tinged with fresh Spanish grasses.
  • Beef Salami – Brooklyn Cured Smoked Beef Salami
  • Auricchio Straveccio Provolone – A sharp yet creamy provolone
  • Onion Jam – Slow-cooked caramelized onions and smooth Cabernet Sauvignon combine to make a savory spread.
  • Mild Abbruzze Sausage – Firm and mild, with hints of garlic and spice.
  • Green Cerignola Olives – A mild and easy-pleasin’ olive for even the most discerning of palates.
  • Spicy Soppressata – Rustic, savory, and spicy.

I finished the board off with some dried cherries, and some local honey from my neighbor, Bee Here Now.

We snacked on this ALL day. It was awesome! I even made myself a cheesesteak-themed bite – beef salami, onion jam, and provolone!

Naturally, I also had a side of pretzel rivets dipped in spicy mustard!

 

This Charcuterie Board would be a great add to a small get together, although my husband and I enjoyed it as a grazing station of sorts for us all day.

 

Print

Philadelphia Themed Charcuterie Board

A Philadelphia themed charcuterie board created with ingredients from Philly Pretzel Factory, DiBruno Bros., Third Wheel Cheese Co., and Dietz & Watson
Course Appetizer, Party Apps
Keyword Charcuterie, Charcuterie Board, Cheese, Party Apps, Philadelphia, Soft Pretzels
Prep Time 30 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients

Philly Pretzel Factory:

  • Pretzel Rivets
  • Mini cheesesteaks
  • Spicy brown mustard
  • Melted cheddar cheese

Third Wheel Cheese:

  • Noblette Brie
  • Abruzze Jawn
  • Goat Rodeo Bamboozle
  • Birchrun Hills Blue

Dietz and Watson:

  • Truffle Salami Medallions
  • Dietz Nuts Original

DiBruno Bros.:

  • Manchego
  • Beef Salami
  • Auricchio Straveccio Provolone
  • Onion Jam
  • Mild Abbruzze Sausage
  • Green Cerignola Olives
  • Spicy Soppressata

Other Ingredients:

  • Dried cherries
  • Local Honey

Instructions

Philly Pretzel Factory:

  • The pretzel rivets are the perfect addition to a charcuterie board
  • Mini cheesesteaks combine some of the other ingredients on the board into one yummy bite
  • The spicy brown mustard works well with the rivets, plus many of the meats and cheeses on the board
  • The melted cheddar cheese is a must-have with the rivets (plus, dipping some of the meat into it is kind of amazing)

Third Wheel Cheese. You can order these cheeses separately, or as part of a “Choose Your Own Adventure” cheese sampler.

  • Noblette Brie – Buttery, earthy, mushroomy, brie-like goodness. The tart, lactic and creamy cheese is aged 4-6 weeks.
  • Abruzze Jawn – Spiced with whole peppercorns, garlic, onion powder, and red pepper flakes.
  • Goat Rodeo Bamboozle – Semi-soft texture with notes of prosciutto and peanuts, this washed rind goat and cow’s milk cheese is aged for at least two months and washed with beer from Pittsburgh’s Cinderlands Beer Co.
  • Birchrun Hills Blue – Sweet and peppery with delicate blue flavors and a creamy texture.

Dietz and Watson

  • Truffle Salami Medallions – Salami made with truffle
  • Dietz Nuts Original – Savory sausage bites, based on Dietz & Watson’s traditional European landjaeger.

DiBruno Bros.

  • Manchego – Buttery and springy, tinged with fresh Spanish grasses.
  • Beef Salami – Brooklyn Cured Smoked Beef Salami
  • Auricchio Straveccio Provolone – A sharp yet creamy provolone
  • Onion Jam – Slow-cooked caramelized onions and smooth Cabernet Sauvignon combine to make a savory spread.
  • Mild Abbruzze Sausage – Firm and mild, with hints of garlic and spice.
  • Green Cerignola Olives – A mild and easy-pleasin’ olive for even the most discerning of palates.
  • Spicy Soppressata – Rustic, savory, and spicy.

Other Ingredients

  • I finished the board off with some dried cherries, and some local honey from my neighbor, Bee Here Now.

Coquito

‘Tis the season for coquito! If you’ve never had coquito before, it’s a bit like eggnog.

Coquito means “little coconut,” and gets its flavor from coconut milk, cream of coconut, rum, and spices. For my version, I also used a coconut spiced rum to really up the flavor!

Coquito is a traditional Christmas drink that originated in Puerto Rico, but there are versions of it throughout the Caribbean. It’s absolutely delicious, plus it’s really easy to make!

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (8 oz) white rum (I used a coconut spiced rum)
  • 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 (15 oz) can cream of coconut
  • 1 (13.5 oz can) coconut milk
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk
  • cinnamon sticks, for garnish

Continue reading Coquito

Red Velvet Peppermint Whoopie Pies

I’m having a little bit of a red velvet takeover on this blog. After making the Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies, I knew I wanted to make a Whoopie Pie version perfect for the holidays, specifically Red Velvet Peppermint Whoopie Pies! In case you don’t know what a whoopie pie is, they are cake-like cookies with creamy goodness sandwiched in between. They are quite popular in the Philadelphia area due to the influence of the Pennsylvania Dutch. In fact, I had whoopie pies at my wedding (along with cannolis and cupcakes)!

Whoopie pies are a lot easier to make than they look (I promise). These little guys are filled with a peppermint cream cheese filling, so they will get you right in the holiday spirit in no time!

Ingredients (makes 12 whoopie pies):

Red Velvet Cookies (makes 24 cookies):

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 large egg
  • 2/3 cup whole milk
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 (0.67 oz) tube gel red food coloring, about 1 tablespoon
  • 2 cups flour
  • 3 tablespoons unsweetened natural cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Peppermint Cream Cheese Filling:

  • 2 (8 oz) blocks cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 3 cups confectioners sugar
  • 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt

Continue reading Red Velvet Peppermint Whoopie Pies

Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies

Note: I was sent some baking tools from OXO in order to write this post. Opinions are mine alone.

If you follow this blog, you know I am a huge fan of OXO-branded, well, anything. And every year, OXO helps to raise funds for childhood pediatric cancer research, supporting Cookies for Kids’ Cancer. In order to bring awareness to this organization each year, OXO has organized food blogger cookie swaps, which I’ve participated in since 2012.

Here are some of my old cookie swap and Cookies for Kids’ Cancer posts, in case you’re in a baking mood:

This year is a bit different. Instead, OXO is sponsoring The Cookie Chain, which empowers people to raise funds for pediatric cancer research and awareness of Cookies for Kids’ Cancer by baking, sending, and sharing packaged cookies to friends and loved ones. Participants can sign up via Cookies for Kids’ Cancer for a Cookie Chain kit including cookie bags, stickers and postcards about the promotion.

source: cookies for kids’ cancer

In the hopes of getting as many people involved as possible, I jumped at the chance to set up my own Fundraising page and got to baking! To help me get my bake on, OXO sent over some of their awesome baking tools. Here are some more details on those baking tools:

  • Silicone Baking Mat (paid link): The OXO Good Grips 2 Piece Half-Sheet Pan and Baking Mat Set is the perfect pair for any baking adventure. The reusable Silicone Baking Mat replaces parchment by transforming sheet pans into a non-stick surface. The food-safe silicone and fiberglass construction resists grease and residue and fits perfectly into the Half-Sheet Pan. Dishwasher safe. The Non-Stick Pro Half-Sheet pan is made from durable commercial-grade aluminized steel with a micro-textured pattern that promotes airflow under and around food for even, consistent cooking. The two-layer scratch- and stain-resistant coating is PFOA free and ceramic reinforced for exceptional performance for years to come.
  • 3 Piece Mixing Bowl Set: Non-slip bottoms ensure the Mixing Bowls stay put on countertops and feature a soft, comfortable handle that’s easy to grip. The wide lip and spout make it easy to pour ingredients. Bowls nest for convenient storage.
  • Dough Whisk: When it comes to mixing dough by hand, a spoon just won’t cut it. You need a dedicated dough whisk to cut through thick dough. The solid stainless steel wires prevent sticking while the unique shape incorporates wet and dry ingredients with less effort. The innovative handle shape and soft, comfortable grip reduce pressure on your hands to prevent fatigue while you work. Once your cookies are in the oven, it’s easy to clean dough from between the coils. Dishwasher safe.
  • Medium Cookie Scoop: This size 40 portioner is designed for easy scooping and consistent shaping. The soft grip absorbs pressure while you squeeze to smoothly release your cookie dough. Dishwasher safe.
  • Baker’s Dusting Wand: With a quick twist to open and close, and a half-solid, half-perforated globe design, the Baker’s Dusting Wand is designed to prevent clumps, dumps and powdery messes. Perforation allows for evenly floured baking pans and lightly dusted baked goods. Sized to fit in most flour containers for storage.
These baking tools were the perfect excuse to make a cookie recipe I had been eyeing up for a while now, Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies!
My recipe is based off a NYT Cooking recipe that can be found here. This recipe utilized both baking powder and baking soda so that the cookies rise and then fall quickly, created the crinkled effect on the cookies.
Ingredients:
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 (0.67 oz) tube of red food coloring gel (about 1 tablespoon)
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 1/3 cups confectioners’ sugar, plus more as needed

Continue reading Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies

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