A Swedish charkbricka is the best option in case you want to impress your guests in a classy but easy manner. Similar to a traditional charcuterie board, this Nordic one will be a mix of the finest Swedish cured meats, artisan cheeses, fresh fruits, and crispy crispbread – all beautifully presented to please the eyes and taste buds. It can be used in a small family dinner or a celebratory event because this charkbricka recept is easy to make and can be endlessly modified.
What Is a Charkbricka?
Charkbricka is the Swedish term for charcuterie board. It is a well-balanced tray of cold meats, cheeses, fruits, nuts and condiments, commonly as a starter, snack or even a light meal. The peculiarity of a Swedish charkbricka is its attention to local ingredients cured meats of local manufacturers, traditional Swedish cheeses such as Vasterbottenost, and such accompaniments as crispbread (knackbrod), lingonberry jam, or honey.
A charkbricka is not food only, it is an art form. It can be as simple as you want it to be, or as elaborate as you want it to be, depending on the occasion.
Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
- 100–120 g Swedish cured meats such as salami, parma ham, or bresaola
- 100–120 g assorted Swedish cheeses — try a mix of hard, soft, and blue cheeses (Västerbottenost is a great option)
- 300–400 g fresh fruits — watermelon, kiwi, grapes, apricots, and berries
- 50–100 g nuts, honey, and marmalade for extra flavor
- 50–100 g crispbread or crackers (one small package)
- Fresh herbs and edible flowers for garnishing (optional but beautiful)
Instructions
- Prepare the platter: Select a huge wooden board, marble tray or serving plate. Ensure that it is clean and large in size to accommodate all your ingredients.
- Arrange the meats: Roll or fold loosely your cured meats such as salami and parma ham. Position them in small bundles by placing them around the platter in order to give it texture and volume.
- Add the cheeses: Prepare cheeses in different shapes, which are bite-sized cubes, wedges, or thin slices. Combine hard, soft and blue cheeses to create a good contrast of flavors. Put them close to the meats so that they can be easily matched.
- Place the fruits: To make them more appealing and add a fresh color to them, place your fruits between the meats and the cheeses. Grapes, cubes of watermelon, slices of kiwi and berries provide a colorful appearance.
- Include small bowls: Prepare small bowls/ ramekins with honey, marmalade and nuts. This makes the platter tidy and lets the guest combine and alternate flavors according to their preference.
- Serve with crispbread: A Swedish charkbricka is never complete without knäckebröd or crackers. Put them on the side or pile them up in the platter.
- Garnish beautifully: Little fresh herbs such as rosemary or thyme can be used to top it and should you feel like a bit of extra festivity, you can add a few edible flowers.
Optional Fancy Additions
When you are in the mood to be creative, add the following gourmet touches to your charkbricka:
- Dip in crusts topped with smoked bacon cream or Västerbotten cheese cream.
- Scrambled eggs with cream cheese, garlic, and artichoke warm it up.
- Slices of horseradish reindeer, rolled and generously sprinkled with rosemary and lingonberries as a very Nordic touch.
These toppings will help to make your board more unique and transform a snack into a fancy Scandinavian meal.
Tips for the Perfect Charkbricka
- Balance textures: Blend smooth, crispy, tender, and hard.
- Play with colors: Make visual contrast with the use of fruits and herbs.
- Keep it seasonal: Garnishes and fruits should be fresh and in-season.
- Serve at room temperature: Cold meat and cheeses are better when slightly warm.
Pairing Suggestions
A charkbricka is a perfect match with Swedish cider, craft beer or a dry white wine. In the case of non-alcoholic beverages, a cooler choice would be sparkling water with lemon or elderflower cordial.
The preparation of a Swedish charkbricka is a matter of balance, beauty and taste. Using such basic ingredients as cured meats, cheeses, fruits, and crispbread, you can create a gorgeous board that praises Scandinavian simplicity and flavor. Therefore, the next time you are organizing a party, forget the complex recipes and make this simple Swedish charkbricka recept, it is fancy, tasty, and can be prepared in a few minutes.
