Charcuterie is perfect.

Perfect for a great dinner with infinite variety – ingredients with different tastes and textures – requiring no cooking.

And with the upcoming holidays it also is perfect for entertaining whether your guest list is small or large.

Traditional charcuterie consists of various cured meats served on a board.

But now it is much more wide-ranging.

Now it can be various thin-sliced meats, cheese of any kind, condiments that go well with meat and cheese such as fruit, olives, nuts, spreads.

Charcuterie was borne out of necessity – when refrigeration was not available – smoke, salt, aging, used to preserve the meat.

The key to a fantastic charcuterie dinner – be creative, use of variety of goodies and use top quality ingredients.

Here is our guide to a terrific charcuterie dinner.

First start with great bread and some cut-up vegetables

Next, various cuts of meat, salami, prosciutto, ham, with condiments such as fresh fruit, olives and nuts, work well.

Fish – smoked fish, shrimps, fresh crab meat – also are terrific for Charcuterie.

Last, but not least, present your Charcuterie, in a great setting, a pretty table, dishes, is a must.

Remember – we eat as much with our eyes as we do with our stomach.