One of my favorite influencers, blogger and friend, Tracey shared on Instagram this week a charcuterie board that she ordered from Graze Dat to enjoy with her daughter. I instantly followed and ordered a board for us to enjoy. My plan was to have a small picnic with it either in New Orleans City Park or on the lakefront. But unfortunately it rained so I had to change my plans. I was so excited to soon learn that I was supporting a black owned business and owned by a BLACK WOMAN!

"Charcuterie is a French term for a branch of cooking devoted to prepared meat products, such as bacon, ham, sausage, terrines, galantines, ballotines, pâtés, and confit, primarily from pork. Charcuterie is part of the garde manger chef's repertoire. Originally intended as a way to preserve meat before the advent of refrigeration, they are prepared today for their flavors derived from the preservation processes (Wikipedia)."

Grazing box items:

• Iberico Cheese (made with milk from cows, goats and sheep)

• Blueberry wrapped Goat Cheese

• Brie

• Salchichon

• Serrano Ham

• Chorizo

• Fresh fruit - champagne, strawberries and blueberries

• Vegetables - baby carrots and Persian cucumbers

• Pickles - truffle cheese stuffed olives, Kalamata olives and cornichons

• Dried apricots

• Raw pecans

• Condiments: Peach Pepper Jelly and Peach Mango Chutney (great with cheese)

• Water crackers

• Stone ground wheat crackers

• Fig and olive crisps

Everything was so delicious and I paired the charcuterie board with mimosas made with Prosecco that I purchased from Cooper's Hawk Winery, my last visit home to Chicago. I honestly love this sparkling wine without adding juice with it. I placed some of the fruit in our mimosas also to spruce up my presentation. This charcuterie board was our breakfast and will be our lunch on this rainy Sunday morning.

So given the unexpected weather, we stayed home and Netflix and chilled. This charcuterie board was so filling and easy to store and discard after we finished eating. This is a simple way to fancy up date night or any gathering that you may have. We make our own charcuterie boards all of the time but I must admit, ours is never this delicious! Browsing through their Instagram page, I also learned that they make Grazing Cups which are perfect to snack on. If you're ever in NOLA, make sure you support Graze Dat!