It feels as though some things never really lose their novelty, no matter how far into adulthood you get. Grazing platters – those huge spreads of crudités, crackers, cured meats, cheese, berries, jams, etc – are easily one of those things for me. How could they get old? They’re a vision of abundance, a self-serve station of fatty, salty, fresh and crunchy, from which you can come and go as you please like a cud-chewing animal who knows how to hold a glass of wine.
But platters can be fairly pricey, especially on top of drinks, decorations and the rest of a festive meal. Doing a grazing spread on a budget takes a bit of strategising – whether that means making a few things yourself, checking out discount options and “reduced to clear” sections or bulking out your offerings with low-cost crowd-pleaser items.
