Make It At Home: A Picnic-Ready Cheese Board
Welcome to our new blog series where we share simple ways to use our favorite Shop staples in your everyday cooking. Whether you’re planning a casual dinner, building a weekend picnic, or just feeling snacky, this is about quick, unfussy food that still feels special. All the ingredients featured in this cheese board are available right here at Farmhouse Table Shop in Irondequoit.
At Farmhouse Table, we build ornate cheese displays for weddings and events, but at home, sometimes we just want a few really good bites, a crisp drink, and no dishes to wash. This easy board is perfect for spontaneous picnics, impromptu happy hours, or low-key summer evenings.
🧺 What’s on the Board
Here’s what we used to build a 5-item board using nothing but Shop staples:
🧀 Berleberg (Berle Farm, Hoosick NY)
A raw cow’s milk cheese made in small batches at Berle Farm. Nutty, creamy, and just the right amount of funk—great for slicing, crumbling, or pairing with something sweet.
🍖 Finocchiona from Brooklyn Cured
A soft, sliceable fennel salami from one of our favorite New York makers. Subtly sweet, with that signature licorice note from the fennel. A great contrast to the cheese and pickles.
🥒 Our House-Made Bread & Butter Pickles
A little sweet, a little tangy, and one of our best-selling deli case items. These are a must on any board; they cut through the richness and add texture.
🌰 Mitica Marcona Almonds
Lightly fried then salted and imported from Spain. They’re buttery, delicate, and borderline addictive.
🍞 Optional Add-ons:
Try focaccia from the Shop if we have some in from our bakery, pita chips, or a summer fruit jam (peaches and cherries go great with everything above).
💛 Why We Love These Ingredients
Everything on this board has intention behind it. We source cheeses and meats from small, independent producers and make many of our pickles and condiments in-house. These aren’t just “filler” items; they’re well-crafted, full of character, and balanced to play well together.
✨ Quick Assembly Tips
This cheese board is about ease and flexibility. Some quick tips:
- Slice or break the cheese into rustic chunks
- Fold or layer the salami into little ribbons
- Pour almonds and pickles straight onto the board or into ramekins
- Don’t overthink it – pile it all together and go
This board doesn’t need garnish or fancy styling. That’s the beauty of it – it’s just good food, ready in minutes.
🔄 Swap This For That
Want to mix it up? Try one of these variations based on what’s in stock:
- Instead of Berleberg, go for a wedge of Muranda Dilly Girl or Lively Run Dairy goat cheese
- Out of finocchiona? Try another meat from the deli case
- Feeling bold? Add pickled jalapenos or a spicy pickle from the shelves
- Need it vegetarian? Drop the meat and double up on cheese and pickles
🍽 Make It a Meal
You can easily stretch this board into a light dinner for two by adding:
- A handful of arugula with lemon + olive oil
- A baguette or seedy crackers
- A bottle of rosé, cider, or your favorite local kombucha
It’s the kind of relaxed, no-cook meal we find ourselves turning to all summer long.
📍Where to Find It
All of these ingredients are available at the Farmhouse Table Shop:
4892 St. Paul Boulevard, Irondequoit, NY
We’re open Wednesday–Saturday, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
The Shop is stocked with house-made deli items, local cheeses, small-batch pantry goods, and seasonal baked goods, perfect for quick meals or thoughtful gifts.
Let us know what you’re looking for – we’re always happy to help you build your own board, brainstorm pairings, or try something new.
📸 Tag us @farmhousetableshop if you recreate this cheese board at home – we love seeing what you come up with!