If there’s one thing you probably know about me, it’s that I love a grazing board. Putting together these themed boards has become one of my favorite seasonal entertaining ideas, I love tweaking them to fit different events and holidays. With the 4th of July coming up this week, summer entertaining is top of mind; I wanted to create a summer grazing board that was fit for warm-weather hosting! My best tip for building a summer grazing board starts with the base. Warm weather can make keeping snacks cool a challenge, especially when you’re hosting outside in the backyard. I use a big marble pastry board and keep it in the fridge for some time before assembling the ingredients on top; the marble keeps its cool temperature much longer than a standard cutting board or tray.  My other twist on the grazing board that makes it perfect for summer entertaining is introducing, cool, sweet pieces of melon. The fruit pairs really well with cheese and charcuterie — I love to grab a cube of cantaloupe and pair it with some prosciutto, aged gouda and mint. The watermelon pairs well with a soft goat cheese and a drizzle of honey, and the sweet honeydew melon is a delicious balance to the sharp, crumbly parmesan pieces. The best part is the colors really pop next to the neutral tones of the cheese and crackers, making for a festive and eye-catching display at your summer festivities! 

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