Boards and Bites: Food Styling and Homemade Recipes for Elegant Party PlanningHardcover (2024)

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About the Author

Melissa Francis is the face behind the boards featured on her ever-growing IG platform @boardsbymelfran and is the author of Boards and Bites. In January 2020, charcuterie boards became her creative outlet and a way to bring her family and friends together in a meaningful way. Melissa received her Masters of Science from Chapman Universityin Communication Sciences and Disorders in 2021. She is currently a practicing Speech and Language Pathologist and loves what she does and the individuals she works with.

Read an Excerpt

Read an Excerpt

Before we dive into it, I wanted to lay some ground rules that I personally try to live by in the kitchen. My lucky number has been number thirteen for as long as I can remember. I know that 13 is unlucky for most but when I was little my family told me that if/when I ever see the number 13 it is my granny checking in. Granny is my great grandmother who unfortunately passed away before I met her, but I have been told by countless people that we are insanely similar. Since then, 13 has always brought me comfort-enough comfort that I have it tattooed on my foot (don’t tell Kfran aka my dad). So naturally, I needed to gather my thoughts and create my 13 rules to cook by.

Here is the breakdown of my 13 rules to cook by:

In my house the standard was never “less is more” rather “more is better”. If you took a survey of every person to be a guest at my home I truly believe not one would say they left hungry. Food can be and mean so many things to people. For me, my family, and guests I believe that food has always made everyone feel insanely comfortable. In my book (omg literally in my book!) one of the greatest compliments for a host to receive is that your guests feel comfortable in your home. Comfort directly correlates to food because for the majority of people food is comfort. Food is a topic of discussion and all inclusive sensory experience. I was taught and continue to put into practice that making sure every guest has enough food to enjoy is and always should be a priority so no board really is ever too big. Even if it is too big, has anyone ever complained about having leftovers? Not me.

Oh garnish! Garnishing my food is notably one of my absolutely favorite part to any recipe or board. To me, garnish time is the time for you to let your personality shine through and shine bright baby! The traditional definition of garnish is to decorate or embellish. The boards by Melfran definition is to decorate or embellish to the nines and let it be your self expression. My love for garnish stems from the fact that you can create an entire vibe, color scheme, theme with garnish.Utilizing a plethora of garnishes creates endless combinations of textures, colors, and dimensions. Don’t stress an entire chapter is dedicated to garnish.

I am the biggest self advocate for work smarter not harder. If a recipe calls for dough, go to the store and buy yourself some premade dough. Unless you enjoy making dough or any food for that matter from scratch and if that's the case you do you. I discovered my love for creating semi homemade recipes when I used to make cupcakes for my friends birthday. I always did chocolate cupcakes from a box with vanilla frosting from a can. By using store bought mixes I was able to use the time I saved to focus on embellishing and customizing my friend’s birthday cupcakes. I always added in extra chocolate chips because why not and of course make custom frosting colors and swirls based on their aesthetic. Long story short, make your life easier, work smarter not harder and cut the corners where it does not matter.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Meat the Cheeses
Overview Diagram
Color Contrasts

Accessorize Your Board
Dried Citrus
Herbs
Flowers
Rose Are...
Roasted Garlic
Fruit Garnish
Brie-tiful
The Glitz and Glam

Recipes
Sun Spread
Basil & White Beans
Grandma's Cheese Straws
Nana's Dressing
Crostinis

Every Occasion Deserves a Board
Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree
Brie Mine
Luck of the Irish
Bunny Hop
4th of July
Monster Mash

Special Boards
Pupcuterie
Sushi Board
Vegan Board
Movie Night Board
Sugar High Board
Tailgate Board
Crudites Board

Acknowledgments
About the Author