My Charcuterie Board

I think doing a charcuterie board was one of my favorite activities this summer! I think they are great to do at dinner parties or when having friends over. This is actually already a Bosnian tradition (we put out meat and cheese for guests) but it was evolved into more. I did a ton of research on what the best things to put on my board would be, made a list, purchased everything and got to work. Below you will find a list of everything on my board and where I bought it! I will warn you, pretty much everything is from Trader Joe's. 

The board we've had in our house forever but you can get one pretty much anywhere - from Walmart, Target to Marshalls and Home Goods.

Bread:
Trader Joe's Fig & Olive Crisps
Trader Joe's French bread - cut up and toasted
Trader Joe's savory crackers
Trader Joe's cheddar cheesesticks

Cheese:

Trader Joe's unexpected cheddar cheese

Trader Joe's goat gouda

Trader Joe's manchego cheese

Trader Joe's toscano cheese with black pepper

Boursin garlic and fine herb cheese (they have this at almost any store - I got mine from TJ's)

Meats:

Chicken bologna (Bosnian store)

Beef salami (Costco)

(I would've added suho meso but we didn't have any)

Fruits:

Trader Joe's champagne grapes (these are out of season now - I recommend getting Thomcord grapes)

Trader Joe's fig butter

Strawberries (King Soopers/Kroger)

Trader Joe's dried mandarins

Trader Joe's fresh figs

Veggies:

Fresh cucumbers from our garden

Fresh greek peppers from our garden

Extra:

Boiled eggs (my neighbor has chickens!)

Trader Joe's dark chocolate covered pretzels

Trader Joe's Roasted and Salted Marcona Almonds with Rosemary

There you go! I might do another one but not until next summer. I highly recommend Trader Joe's for cheeses - if you pick anything off this list to get from Trader Joe's - the cheese is where it's at. They are super affordable and have a high variety. What are some of your favorite charcuterie board items?!

Trader Joe's Favs!

I was not a big Trader Joe's fan. I only go when I see people rave about certain products - put them in a list - and then buy them. I recently have explored more and have grown to love more and more of their items. I am picky about my food so the list I've come up with below, I can personally say is my honest opinion. They are in no particular order - just some favs I put together! I can also make a list of things I would recommend passing, but we can do that another time! At the very bottom, I put together a photo combo so you can screenshot everything in one!

1. Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

These are probably my favorite. They taste just like the Reese's peanut butter cups but they're dark chocolate. Dark chocolate is really good for iron levels so that is one great perk! They also taste super yummy - no bitterness! I've bought them every time I go!

2. Goat's Milk Gouda Cheese

I have recently learned that I LOVE gouda cheese. This one is super creamy and yummy! I've used it to shred and use on top of pizza and other foods. I mix this with other cheeses but it's probably my favorite, hands down. 

3. Smoked Salmon, 4. Everything bagel, & 5. Whipped cream cheese

One of my go-to breakfasts lately has been making a bagel with cream cheese and smoked salmon on top. All 3 are from Trader Joe's! I love their whipped cream cheese because it's so light and easy to spread! The bagel is topped with their 'Everything But the Bagel' seasoning. I personally am not a big fan of it on its own but on this bagel, it's great! The salmon is also super yummy and healthy! They also have other types of salmon - one that includes 'Everything But the Bagel' seasoning too!

6. Hold the cone Mini Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Cones

These mini ice cream cones hit the spot! After I have my meals, I want something sweet but not overpowering. These mini cones are perfect! They come 8 in a box are are only $3! They have tons of flavors to choose from!

7. Sparkling black tea with peach juice

This sparkling black tea with peach is my new favorite! I am not a fan of sparkling water (I know, I'm European, how can I not like it!?) but I really like this! It has almost no sugar but it tastes wonderful! It has a great hint of tea with a splash of peach and it's definitely going to be another buy for me next time.


8. Hazelnut chocolate cookies

These cookies are THE BOMB! They are sweet but not too sweet. They are perfect with your morning coffee or just for fun. This is also a new one for me and I'm so glad I got them. They may or may not be half gone already. 

9. Thomcord Grapes

All my Bosnian fam - these grapes are exactly like the ones from Bosnia!! They are small, round, and a little harder in the middle. My parents absolutely love them and since I got them two days ago, we're already out. If you know the Bosnian grapes, go get these and thank me later!


10. Savory crackers

These are my favorite crackers for dips! They are perfectly salted and not too hard or soft- which is why they're great for dipping! They also come in a mini size that I haven't tried but I'm sure they're the same! Stay tuned to my part 2 post where I share my favorite dips and jams!

So far, those are my top 10 favorites! I will be posting a part 2 with more favorites. What are some of your favorite TJ items?!