A Guide to Crafting the Perfect Aperitivo Board

A thoughtfully arranged cheese and charcuterie board is both an art and a crowd-pleasing appetizer—here’s everything you need to create your own.

This post is written in collaboration with Parmigiano Reggiano. All opinions are mine alone

There’s something so charming and inviting about a well-styled cheese or charcuterie board. It’s the perfect centerpiece for any gathering—casual or elegant—and a fun, creative way to serve a variety of snacks that everyone can enjoy. 

And the best part? It’s easier to put together than you might think!

Whether you're planning a dinner party, a holiday aperitivo, or just a cozy night in, here’s how to build a beautiful and balanced board that’s as impressive as it is effortless.

 Start with the Main Items

When creating your board, it’s best to start with your main ingredients and build around them. For this aperitivo board, I'm using a big wedge of Parmigiano Reggiano. I like to cut it into rustic flakes for easy grabbing and leave a little cheese knife on the wedge so guests can cut their own if they’d like. It adds both function and charm to the presentation.

You can also start with other standout cheeses or meats—like a creamy Brie, a wheel of goat cheese, or slices of prosciutto—and then plan the rest of the board to complement them.

Grilled Peach Summer Salad with Parmigiano Reggiano

This Grilled Peach Summer Salad is the perfect combination of sweet, savory, and refreshing—featuring juicy grilled peaches, peppery arugula, crunchy pistachios, and delicate flakes of Parmigiano Reggiano. A simple yet elegant dish that brings out the best flavors of the season!

This post is written in collaboration with Parmigiano Reggiano. All opinions are mine alone #sponsored

Nothing says summer quite like a fresh, vibrant salad—and this Grilled Peach Summer Salad with Parmigiano Reggiano is everything I love about warm-weather cooking.

It’s light, flavorful, and beautifully balanced, combining sweet and juicy grilled peaches (or nectarines) with peppery arugula, flavorful cherry tomatoes, crunchy pistachios, and the rich, nutty flavor of Parmigiano Reggiano shaved into delicate flakes.

This vegetarian salad is perfect as a light and satisfying lunch or as a flavorful side dish next to grilled chicken, salmon, or even a simple frittata.

Soft and Easy to Make Strawberry Lemon Ricotta Cake

This soft and simple ricotta cake is easy to make and bursting with fresh strawberries and light lemon flavor. The perfect summer dessert, great  for breakfast, dessert, or a sweet treat at tea time

If you’re looking for a soft, fruit-filled cake that’s easy to make and absolutely delicious any time of day—this Strawberry Ricotta Cake is just the one to try. 

Two-layer Espresso & White Chocolate Italian Semifreddo

Get ready to fall in love with this melt-in-your-mouth Italian semifreddo—made with two layers of bold espresso and smooth white chocolate. It’s creamy, dreamy, and impossible to resist!

If you’re a gelato lover looking for something easy, elegant, and absolutely irresistible—this Italian semifreddo is going to win you over at first bite. 

It’s rich and creamy like your favorite gelato, but with a light, airy texture that melts in your mouth like a dream. Made with two layers—one bold and espresso-infused, the other smooth and sweet with white chocolate—this frozen dessert is as stunning as it is simple to make.

Easy-to-Make Blueberry Cornmeal Cake

This blueberry cornmeal cake is the perfect balance of rustic charm and soft, buttery goodness. Whether you serve it for brunch, dessert, or as an afternoon treat with coffee or tea, it’s a simple yet elegant cake that’s sure to impress!

You know how much I love to bake with fresh blueberries, so here is a new easy and quick recipe that I'm sure you're going to love!

Sweet Treats for Mom: 12 Desserts to Make Her Mother’s Day Extra Special

Celebrate Mom with something sweet and homemade—here are 12 delicious dessert recipes that are perfect for making her feel extra special this Mother’s Day

 Mother’s Day is the perfect time to show just how much you care—with something homemade, beautiful, and irresistibly delicious. 

Whether you're planning a full brunch spread, a quiet afternoon tea, or a sweet surprise at the end of dinner, these dessert recipes are sure to make Mom feel loved and celebrated. 

Each treat is made with simple ingredients, easy-to-follow steps, and all the heart. 

Let’s bake something special for the most important woman in your life!

1. Classic Italian Tiramisu

A timeless no-bake dessert layered with coffee-soaked ladyfingers and creamy mascarpone—light, luscious, and unforgettable.
Get the recipe »

Invisible Apple Loaf Cake

A delicate French-style Invisible Apple Cake, made with paper-thin apple slices layered into a light vanilla-lemon batter. As it bakes, the apples absorb the batter and seem to disappear, creating a soft, custardy texture with beautifully stacked layers of fruit. Finished with a glossy apricot glaze, it’s a stunning and delicious treat for any occasion

If you're looking for a show-stopping yet simple dessert that celebrates the natural sweetness of apples, this Invisible Apple Cake is a must-bake. 

Italian Carrot-Orange Cake

This soft and fragrant Italian carrot cake is made with fresh carrots, orange zest and juice, and almond flour for a naturally sweet and moist treat. It’s light, simple, and full of wholesome flavor - the perfect cake to enjoy with your morning coffee or as an afternoon snack.

After the success of my Italian Camille Mini Carrot Cakes, I knew I had to share a full-size cake version—and here it is! 

This Italian carrot cake is just as light, moist, and flavorful, but perfect for slicing and sharing with family and friends.

Grilled Asparagus Tart with Crème Fraîche & Gruyère

This elegant grilled asparagus tart with crème fraîche and Gruyère is the perfect spring-inspired appetizer or light lunch—flaky, creamy, and full of fresh flavor.

There’s something undeniably elegant about an asparagus tart—and this one, made with creamy crème fraîche, nutty Gruyère, and golden, flaky puff pastry, is as delicious as it is beautiful. It’s the perfect way to celebrate spring and a fantastic option for your Easter brunch, light lunch, or even a simple weeknight dinner paired with a green salad.