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The Extravagant Deli Delights: A Guide to Hosting an Unforgettable Holiday Party with Your Nearest and Dearest

If you're hosting guests this upcoming 2nd of September holiday and are looking for a simple yet impressive appetizer to serve before the main feast, a platter of "cold cuts" is your answer.

Administrator

13 October, 2024

Image of a luxurious table setting with a variety of cold cuts and appetizers

Indulge in the Ultimate Culinary Experience: Cold Cut Platter

Cold cut, an exquisite combination of cold meats, deli meats, and carefully selected accompaniments, is a true delicacy. This culinary delight includes salted pork leg, Jamon Iberico, Iberico salami, and a range of cheeses, olives, crackers, and more. It is the perfect gourmet experience, ideal for a sophisticated gathering or a refined appetizer with a glass of red wine or beer.

Why Cold Cut is the Perfect Choice

Cold cut has become a popular choice among discerning individuals, especially for hosting intimate gatherings or as an elegant appetizer. Its popularity stems from its numerous advantages, including quick preparation time, requiring no cooking, and offering a visually stunning and delicious spread. With just 15 minutes of preparation, mostly for shopping, you can create a gourmet experience at home.

Creating the Perfect Cold Cut Platter

A well-balanced cold cut platter is an art form, combining a symphony of flavors. The key to success lies in offering a variety of salty, sweet, sour, oily, and nutty notes. Salted meats provide the salty and oily flavors, while cheeses contribute sweetness and sourness, and nuts deliver a crunchy, nutty accent. These flavors are elevated when paired with chilled beer or wine, creating a sensory journey.

The beauty of cold cuts is the freedom to customize. However, a standard platter typically includes thin slices of cold meat such as prosciutto, salami, bacon, and more. Cheeses, from soft and creamy to hard and sharp, add depth and contrast. Pickled cucumbers and olives provide a refreshing touch, while nuts and fruits bring texture and a burst of freshness. Honey or jam pairs perfectly with the cheeses, and crisp crackers or fresh bread complete the ensemble.

To take your cold cut platter to the next level, consider adding dips such as garlic mayonnaise or fruit sauces. These enhance the flavors and provide a luxurious touch to your spread.

Where to Source the Finest Ingredients

Creating a luxurious cold cut platter is made easy with specialty stores and supermarkets offering a wide range of ingredients. In Vietnam, Annam Gourmet, Vinmart, Kingmeat, and Newviet are go-to destinations for sourcing the finest meats, cheeses, and accompaniments.

Suggestions for Delectable Cold Cut Sets

Depending on the number of guests and their preferences, you can curate a cold cut platter to suit your needs. We suggest three mouthwatering options for 4-5 people, each with a different budget: 500,000 VND, 1,000,000 VND, and 2,000,000 VND. These menus are merely suggestions, and you can tailor them to match your taste and budget.

Option 1: 500,000 VND

For a standard yet delectable experience, this option offers a delightful spread.

Salami Mixed Salchichon + Chorizo Duo by Casademont, 100g: 160,000 VND
Coppa Arrosto Smoked Pork Belly, 50g: 60,000 VND
Emmental Cheese by Président, 100g: 70,000 VND
Comté Le Montarlier (Cow) Cheese by Président, 50g: 50,000 VND
Pickled French Olives, 50g: 50,000 VND
Mixed Nuts (Almonds, Walnuts), 100g: 50,000 VND
Seasonal Fruits of your choice, 100,000 VND
Fresh Bread or Crackers: 30,000 VND

Option 2: 1,000,000 VND

Indulge in a more premium selection, featuring imported salted pork legs and backs, along with finer cheeses.

Iberico Bellota Purebred Salted Pork Leg, cured for 48 months, 50g: 175,000 VND
Iberico Cebo Salted Pork Leg, cured for 24 months, 50g: 175,000 VND
Iberico Salted Pork Back, 50g: 100,000 VND
Iberico Chorizo Sausage, 100g: 120,000 VND
Truffle Cheese, 100g: 150,000 VND
Brie Cheese, 125g: 90,000 VND
Pickled Green Olives, 50g: 50,000 VND
Mixed Nuts, 50g: 50,000 VND
Seasonal Fruits of your choice, 100,000 VND

Option 3: 2,000,000 VND

Elevate your cold cut experience with this option, allowing you to create an indulgent and attractive spread with a diverse range of meats, cheeses, and pate.

Iberico Bellota Purebred Salted Pork Leg, cured for 48 months, 100g: 355,000 VND
Iberico Cebo Salted Pork Leg, cured for 24 months, 100g: 350,000 VND
Iberico Bellota Salted Pork Back, 100g: 340,000 VND
Iberico Salchichon Bellota Sausage, 100g: 197,000 VND
Iberico Chorizo Bellota Sausage, 100g: 120,000 VND
Traditional Iberico Pate, 1 box: 85,000 VND
Truffle Cheese, 100g: 150,000 VND
Blue Cheese, 100g: 120,000 VND
Pickled Green Olives, 50g: 50,000 VND
Pickled Cucumbers, 1 jar: 55,000 VND
Mixed Nuts, 50g: 50,000 VND
Seasonal Fruits of your choice, 200,000 VND

Now you have the knowledge to create a magnificent cold cut platter at home. Impress your loved ones and celebrate the upcoming National Day holiday in style!

Frequently asked questions

A cold cut platter is a delightful combination of cold meats, deli meats, and carefully selected accompaniments. It’s a true culinary experience, perfect for sophisticated gatherings or as an elegant appetizer. Cold cuts are popular due to their quick preparation time, requiring no cooking, and offering a visually stunning and delicious spread of flavors.

The key to a successful cold cut platter is offering a variety of flavors and textures. Include salty and oily flavors from salted meats, sweetness and sourness from cheeses, and a crunchy, nutty accent from, well, nuts! Pickled cucumbers and olives add a refreshing touch, while fruits bring a burst of freshness. Don’t forget the crackers or fresh bread to complete the ensemble.

To take your cold cut platter to the next level, consider adding dips such as garlic mayonnaise or fruit sauces. You can also include premium ingredients like imported salted pork legs, finer cheeses, and a diverse range of meats and pâtés.

Specialty stores and supermarkets in Vietnam offer a wide range of ingredients for your cold cut platter. Try Annam Gourmet, Vinmart, Kingmeat, or Newviet for the finest meats, cheeses, and accompaniments.

For 4-5 people, we suggest three mouthwatering options with different budgets: 500,000 VND, 1,000,000 VND, and 2,000,000 VND. Option 1 offers a standard yet tasty experience, Option 2 includes premium imported ingredients, and Option 3 allows for a diverse and indulgent spread.