Easy and extravagant ways to graze

If you’re hosting a holiday party or attending as a guest, putting together a charcuterie board filled with pâtés, cheeses, and delicious goodies is always a crowd-pleasing idea. We love to use our all-natural pâtés and mousses to build impressive grazing spreads, especially during the busy entertaining season. Because Alexian pâtés are made in small batches with thoughtfully sourced ingredients, they make even the simplest board feel special, no complicated prep required.

Below are five board ideas (plus simple pairing notes) that work for cozy gatherings, office parties, or last-minute hosting moments.

The Truffle Wreath Board
Truffle Mousse, figs, blue cheese, Havarti, honey, charcuterie meats, candied nuts, rosemary sprigs

This centerpiece-worthy board looks festive without much effort. Place a block of Truffle Mousse in the center, then build a “wreath” of grapes, blue cheese, Havarti, candied nuts, and sliced charcuterie around it. Tuck rosemary sprigs throughout for fragrance and color. A little honey drizzled over the cheese pulls everything together.

Presentation tip:
Use a round board and layer the rosemary in overlapping sections to create a holiday wreath shape without having to arrange everything too precisely.

The Mousse Board
Goose Liver Mousse, baguette slices, apricot jam, cranberry goat cheese, whole grain mustard, cornichons, fresh berries, roasted nuts

Inspired by the popular TikTok ‘butter board trend,’ mousse boards are a visually stunning and decadent mix of savory and sweet. Take turns layering petal-size spoonfuls of goose liver mousse and your chosen jam directly onto a platter or shallow board. Continue alternating pâté and jam petals to fill your board, then surround it with your chosen accompaniments: cranberry goat cheese, scattered berries, and nuts. Then add small vessels for crunchy cornichons and grainy mustard. Just don’t forget baguette slices so guests can easily scoop up satisfying bites.

Presentation tip:
Use the back of a spoon or a rounded butter or jam spreader to achieve neat and well-portioned pâté layers.

Individual Boards
Pâté de Campagne or Pheasant Rosemary Pâté, aged cheddar, Gruyère, seasonal fruit, preserves, crackers, nuts

Stop fighting over the last bite with personal mini boards! Mini boards are a great way to give each guest their own curated tasting moment. Start with a small slice of pâté, add two cheeses, a small spoonful of preserves, a briny element, like olives or pickled veggies, and some crunchy, sturdy crackers.

Presentation tip:
Coarse-cut pâtés work best on these smaller snack plates, where you can add several bite-sized cubes to each serving.

Vegan Grazing Board
Earthy Mushroom Pâté and or Tomato Basil Pâté

If you’re plant-based, you can still enjoy charcuterie! We offer two delicious vegan pâtés, earthy mushroom pâté and tomato basil pâté, both entirely vegetable and soy-based. Pair them with a mix of warm, crispy veggies—like air-fried zucchini, roasted Brussels sprout halves, or sautéed mushrooms—and fresh, bright add-ons like marinated olives, roasted red peppers, pickled onions, and toasted nuts or seeds. Add plenty of crunchy seeded crackers so people can stack warm veggies, pâté, and toppings into the perfect bite

Presentation tip:
Add a quick drizzle of olive oil and fresh herbs on top of each pâté to make them look instantly more inviting.

Focaccia Bread Board
Pheasant & Rosemary Pâté, Brie or triple cream, cherry preserves, marcona almonds, cornichons, salami roses, and rosemary sprigs

If you want a board that feels cozy, rustic, and a little unexpected, try building yours right on top of a loaf of rosemary focaccia. Instead of using a wooden board, hollow out a few shallow “wells” in the bread and tuck your pheasant & rosemary pâté, soft Brie or triple cream, almonds, and other extras right into the pockets. It turns your loaf into an edible centerpiece: warm, fragrant, and ready for grazing with friends who love savory holiday flavors.

Presentation tip:
Warm the focaccia for a few minutes before assembling. It softens the cheese, brings out the rosemary aroma, and makes the whole setup feel extra cozy and inviting.

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