Think Outside The Charcuterie Board With These Fresh Ideas

seafood platter charcuterie board ideas

Charcuterie boards can be easy enough to throw together for last-minute guests and elaborate enough to create for a fancy feast. If you want to mix it up beyond the typical salami and cheese pairings, there's a fun new book from (our fave) America's Test Kitchen called Boards: Stylish Spreads for Casual Gatheringsby Elle Simone Scott. The book is chock-full of inspiration for party boards, from breakfast taco boards and game day spreads to cocktails and dessert boards. Scott gives us the freedom to get creative and tailor our boards to our favorite people and the reason for gathering. (BTW, check out our Butter Board inspo too!)

Vegetarian friends coming over? Try this Spring Crudite board with colorful veggies and dips (hold or don't hold the prosciutto-wrapped asparagus).

Hosting a World Series party or Super Bowl Sunday? Try the Ballpark Board, with hotdogs, homemade pretzels (there's an Oktoberfest Board too), and all the fixings. CrackerJacks are a playful touch.

Also great for game day: Serve a board of wings for your sporty guests with an array of sauces. Scott provides tips below!

Wing Sauces

Each sauce makes about 3/4 cup. But half the fun of the board is trying out different flavors, so go ahead and make more than one—you’ll find plenty of ways to use up the extra sauce.

All sauces, except for buffalo, can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Bring to room temperature before using.

Buffalo Wing Sauce

Classic buffalo sauce is made with Frank’s RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce.

  • 1/2 cup hot sauce
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 tablespoon molasses

Whisk all ingredients together in bowl.

Smoky Barbecue Wing Sauce

  • 1/4 cup chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon molasses
  • 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon minced canned ­chipotle chile in adobo sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon liquid smoke

Whisk all ingredients together in bowl.

Mango Chutney Wing Sauce

  • 3/4 cup mango chutney
  • 1 shallot, minced
  • 3 tablespoons water
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro
  • 1 teaspoon grated lime zest

Whisk all ingredients together in bowl.

For your next boozy bunch, get creative with this ultimate Bloody Mary Board served with shrimp, celery, olives, Tabasco sauce, even Black Pepper Candied Bacon (recipe in book). Don't forget the cocktail skewers!

Alongside your Bloody Mary Board could be a Breakfast Taco Board, complete with jalapeños, avocado, and fresh salsa.

We love this sweet and savory Dessert Cheese Board for the holidays, from Thanksgiving to New Years. So pretty! Check out Scott's recipe below for a variety of homemade candied nuts to make it extra special.

Skillet Candied Nuts

Makes about 1 cup

I keep these in my pantry at all times. Besides adding rich ­flavor and crunchy texture to the dessert cheese board, ­candied nuts make a special topping for ice cream (or ­oatmeal)—or a great little snack all on their own.

You can use any variety of nuts, but I’m partial to cashews, pistachios, and almonds. And the recipe is easily customizable with herbs and spices to create different flavor profiles. As the sugar ­caramelizes toward the end of cooking, it may start to get a little smoky; that’s OK.

  • 1 cup coarsely chopped raw, unsalted nuts
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon table salt

1. Toast nuts in 10‑inch nonstick skillet over medium heat until fragrant and spotty brown, about 3 minutes. Quickly add water, sugar, and salt and stir with rubber spatula to evenly coat nuts.

2. Cook, stirring often, until sugar mixture caramelizes and nuts begin to clump together, 2 to 3 minutes. Quickly ­transfer nuts to large plate and spread into even layer. Let cool for 10 minutes. Break nut clusters into small pieces with your hands.

(Nuts can be stored in airtight container for up to 1 week.)

Variations:
Skillet Candied Nuts with Fresh Herbs

Just before transferring candied nuts to plate, stir in 1 ­teaspoon minced fresh rosemary, sage, or thyme.

Spiced Skillet Candied Nuts

Combine 1/8 teaspoon ground coriander, 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger, and pinch ground cinnamon in bowl. Just before ­transferring candied nuts to plate, stir in spice mixture.

Try a board on ice with this Raw Bar Board, perfect for brunch, New Years Day, or any special occasion.

There you have it, some outside-the-charcuterie-board inspiration for your next gathering. Be sure to check out Scott's Boards book for more scrumptious and creative ideas, like a Bruschetta Board, Steak Frites Board, and more!

Follow us on Pinterest for more charcuterie board ideas and recipe inspiration!

Trader Joe’s loves to keep us on our toes when it comes to their new arrivals. We’re constantly monitoring the aisles to discover all the new TJ’s sweet treats and savory snacks they launch – and these 7 new picks for January 2025 are not to be missed! All of these Trader Joe’s products will run you less than $5, which only makes sealing the deal on your grocery bill easier.

From delicious dips to a very enticing new frozen meal, these are the 7 best new Trader Joe’s finds you absolutely need to try in January 2025.

Trader Joe's

1. Teensy Candy Bars

These tiny little candy bar bites ($2.99) resemble Snickers in the best way possible: layers of nougat, caramel, and peanuts are enveloped in a delicious chocolate coating for maximum snackage. We're gonna have to resist eating the whole bag! TJ's even suggests using these bits as decoration for other desserts, like sprinkling some on a scoop of ice cream or baking them into some cookies.

Trader Joe's

2. Olive Tapenade Hummus

Trader Joe's array of dips is simply too good to resist, and this newcomer hummus ($3.49) is no exception! It's a tub of "smooth and nutty" hummus topped with a tapenade comprised of black olives, manzanilla olives, capers, and olive oil to give it a salty effect. It's gonna taste so great as a dip for crackers or as a spread on a Mediterranean pita wrap.

Trader Joe's

3. Organic Concord Grape Jelly

This squeezable grape jelly ($3.49) is nothing short of nostalgic. Trader Joe's says it's "super smooth, joyously juicy, and potently purple," which immediately has us sold on making PB&Js every day now.

Trader Joe's

4. Spicy Chicken Nuggets

Oh, yeah. Bring on the spice with these spicy nuggs ($3.99) that make the perfect easy meal no matter the time of day! Made from all-natural chicken breast and rib meat, breaded with wheat, rice and corn flours, then covered in hot sauce and lightly fried, TJ's has their texture down to a tee. You can easily cook 'em in the air fryer, oven, or microwave before chowing down!

Trader Joe's

5. Crispy Potato & Poblano Pepper Tacos

These halved and fried frozen tacos ($4.99) will totally crush your Taco Bell cravings, since they come together super quickly and contain flavors with mind-blowing authenticity! Each taco is filled with a blend of seasoned mashed potatoes and some "ever-so- slightly spicy" poblano peppers that'll work so well with any dipping sauce, from TJ's salsa to their creamy Jalapeño Sauce.

Trader Joe's

6. Strawberry Mini Hold The Cone!

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Trader Joe's is debuting a new flavor ($3.99) of their classic Hold The Cone! frozen dessert: strawberry! These tiny, chocolate-covered cones are lined with even more "rich" chocolate on the inside, then packed with strawberry ice cream, which TJ's says is crafted with plenty of strawberry purée.

Trader Joe's

7. Caesar Salad Dip

Trader Joe's shoppers have said this new Caesar Salad Dip ($3.69) makes a perfect girl dinner addition– which, if you get it, you get it! The tub starts with a "creamy" base that's then loaded up with Caesar-seasoned sour cream, mayo, anchovy paste, Parmesan, and finely shredded Romaine for the crunch. It's best enjoyed with crackers or veggie sticks to dip, but you could also smatter fried chicken or seared steak in it for some ahh-mazing flavor!

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Dua Lipa and Callum Turner spent New Years Eve together, and based on the giant ring Dua's wearing on THAT finger, it looks like they could be spending the rest of their lives together too! This celebrity couple were first spotted together in January 2024, and immediately became my favorite couple, like, ever. Engagement rumors were flying by the end of the year, and thanks to Dua Lipa's latest Instagram posts, the internet is more convinced than ever that these two will be headed down the aisle soon.

Here's everything we know about those Dua Lipa and Callum Turner engagement rumors.

Dua Lipa's been wearing a gorgeous ring on THAT finger since Christmas.

In a post celebrating the holidays, Dua Lipa posted a roundup of photos — led by a shot of her wearing a sherpa jacket and reindeer antlers. But as fun as her outfit is, the internet immediately focused on another detail: her new ring. It appears to be a diamond on a chunky gold band, and if you ask me, the ring's modern, glam look is the perfect vibe for the "Houdini" singer.

"THE RING," one user commented, while another user said, "ENGAGED VIBESSSSSSSSSS," under another end-of-year post.

And when Dua Lipa finally posted photos from her epic New Year's Eve celebration on January 3, a third user commented, "We all still waiting to see the 💍." TLDR; the singer's fans really want to know if she's engaged! But if there's one thing I know for sure, it's that this couple won't tell us unless they want to. And I'm here for it!

And Dua Lipa and Callum Turner are totally "mad about each other."

Dua Lipa and Callum Turner keep their relationship pretty private (aside from some very cute walks), but according to one Page Six source, they've been "mad about each other" from the start. And it's clear because these two can't keep their hands off each other!

"Dua and Callum are so in love and know this is forever," a source told The Sun in December 2024. “They are engaged and couldn’t be happier. Dua has had one of the best years of her career professionally and this is the cherry on the cake."

"Callum is such a solid support for Dua and they make a wonderful couple," the source continues. "Their family and friends are so happy. It’s been an amazing Christmas for them.”

Stay tuned for the latest news on Dua Lipa and Callum Turner's potential engagement, and read up on Tom Holland and Zendaya's engagement!

When it comes to Starbucks, it’s not always just about the coffee – they have a ton of food options that’ll have you hooked from the first bite. While some Starbucks food items are definitely worth skipping (looking at you, Kale & Mushroom Egg Bites), there are plenty of downright delicious picks.

Starbucks employees and die-hard fans just weighed in on their go-to food orders on Reddit, and their answers may surprise you!

Get ready to explore the best Starbucks food, straight from the experts who know it best.

Starbucks

1. Turkey, Provolone & Pesto on Ciabatta

This lunch sandwich came up several times amongst Starbucks employees and fans. It features sliced turkey breast, melted provolone cheese, dry-roasted red peppers, and basil pesto in between slices of ciabatta. One sandwich has 32 grams of protein, too!

Starbucks

2. Ham & Swiss Croissant

Next up, the classic Ham & Swiss Croissant! I always ate this for breakfast when I worked at Starbucks, and can confirm it's very worth ordering.

One Reddit user admitted that they "eat wayyyyyy more" of these than they "care to admit." They said that "They’re just so damn good” – very true!

Starbucks

3. Egg White Bagels (Custom)

One Starbucks employee said that they use their mark-outs (1 free food item + 1 free bev every shift!) to make their very own concoction: egg white egg bites on an everything bagelwith avocado spread. Sounds delish.

Starbucks

4. Potato, Cheddar & Chive Bakes

These baked bites were mentioned a whopping 10 times on the Reddit thread.

“Grew up hating eggs, never never [ate] them," one person wrote. "But I will tear up those chive bites with some sriracha, salt, and pepper."

"Hear me on this one," another user commented. "Always double toast your egg bites and toast your panini sandwiches from the case open faced. Always.” Now I've gotta try it!

Tip: to get any heated food item at Starbucks double-toasted, simply say 'extra crispy' or 'double-toasted' when you go to order.

Starbucks

5. Spicy Falafel Pocket

This Starbucks food menu newcomer seems to be pretty popular already. It came out in January 2025 with their winter menu launch, which also includes the never-seen-at-Starbucks drink, the Cortado.

“The falafel wrap just came out, but I'm in love,” one user said.

“Me too!" another person agreed. "Never been huge into falafel – it always tasted dry to me. This one is just right. Also the new dipping sauce is a welcome add on.”

"The fact that it's vegan too makes it perfect,” one more Redditor gushed.

The Spicy Falafel Pocket includes smashed falafel, creamy hummus, roasted red bell peppers, pickled onions, and a spicy herb sauce packed into a lavash flatbread.

Starbucks

6. Iced Lemon Loaf

“That damn lemon loaf,” one user quickly commented. And they're so right for that.

The Iced Lemon Loaf would be on weekly rotation when I worked as a Starbucks barista. It's entirely too sugary, but perhaps that's what had me hooked. And that thick layer of icing, too!

Starbucks

7. Cinnamon Coffee Cake

“I love their blueberry scones and their coffee cakes," one Redditor wrote. "They pair nicely with a large iced blonde americano 😋.” Sounds yum!

In fact, Starbucks has a ton of great bakery items, but this coffee cake typically comes out on top for being super moist, plus its crumbly topping is downright addicting.

Starbucks

8. Spinach, Feta & Egg White Wrap

The SFW is a total classic when it comes to the best Starbucks food items. It's 100% vegetarian and is made with fluffy cage-free egg whites, spinach, feta cheese, and sun-dried tomato cream cheese. It makes a nourishing savory bite for breakfast or lunch.

Starbucks

9. Egg, Pesto & Mozzarella Sandwich

I fear this breakfast sandwich is my new addiction whenever I go to Starbucks. The egg is always fluffy and flavorful, the cheese always melty, and I think the pesto adds a nice tang to it all. Plus, it has 21 grams of protein, so I don't have to worry about feeling hungry after I chow down on it.

“I'm a fan,” one Redditor said.

“Garbage for my cholesterol but 🤌🏻,” another person noted.

"I've been putting chili oil on it as well and its soooo good,” one more user said. Spicy!

Starbucks

10. Cheese Danish

The Starbucks Cheese Danish is very good, but one employee's minor edit to it sounds ahh-mazing: they add a sprinkling of the Cinnamon Dolce topping (AKA cinnamon and sugar) on top to up the sweetness!

I wouldn't necessarily recommend ordering your danish like this at the counter to avoid eye rolls from your baristas, but take it home and add your own cinnamon sugar, and boom – you've got yourself a truly elevated Starbucks snack!

Subscribe to our newsletter to read more Starbucks hot takes + get the latest news in fast food!

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Hot cocoa and a fuzzy blanket are the perfect companions for a night in, especially when you're having a winter movie night! The new movies coming in February make for the best Valentine's Day or Galentine's Day plans — even if you'd rather go to a rage room than sit down for a romantic dinner. No matter what your stance on February 14 is (or your relationship status) there's a movie for everyone. And check out the new February TV shows coming your way!

Here are the 11 most-anticipated new movies coming in February 2025.

Kinda Pregnant — On Netflix February 5, 2025

Scott Yamano/Netflix

Lainy's excited for her best friend's pregnancy, but she's also insanely jealous...which leads her to wear a fake bump and convince everyone in her life she's pregnant. That sounds complicated as-is, but things get even crazier when she meets her dream man. Kinda Pregnant already sounds hilarious, but with Amy Schumer and Brianne Howey, I know we're gonna be laughing out loud.

Kinda Pregnant premieres February 5 and stars Amy Schumer, Jillian Bell, Will Forte, Damon Wayans Jr., Brianne Howey, Alex Moffat, Joel David Moore, Lizze Broadway, Urzila Carlson, Francis Benhamou.

Love Hurts — In Theaters February 7, 2025

Allen Fraser/Universal Pictures

Marvin Gable's traded a life of crime for a career as a realtor in Wisconsin. But when his ex-partner Rose ropes him back into the world he's tried so hard to escape, Marvin realizes you can't escape your past. Or your murders brother.

Love Hurts hits theaters February 7 and stars Ke Huy Quan, Ariana DeBose, Daniel Wu, Sean Astin, Mustafa Shakir, Lio Tipton, Rhys Darby, Marshawn Lynch, and André Eriksen.

Heart Eyes — In Theaters February 7, 2025

Spyglass/Sony Pictures Releasing

If you're missing Slasher Summer, you'll definitely want to see this new movie when it premieres on February 7. A murderer who goes by Heart Eyes targets couples every Valentine's Day — and Ally and her date might be next.

Heart Eyes premieres February 7 and stars Olivia Holt, Mason Gooding, Gigi Zumbado, Michaela Watkins, Devon Sawa, and Jordana Brewster.

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy — On Peacock February 13, 2025

Jay Maidment/Universal Pictures

We're finally getting a new Bridget Jones movie, and it's coming oh so soon! Bridget, now a single mom, finds herself drawn to the young and handsome Roxster, but she also can't stop running into Mr. Wallaker. I can't wait to see how this one unfolds.

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy drops on February 13 and stars Renée Zellweger, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Leo Woodall, Emma Thompson, Jim Broadbent, Isla Fisher, and Gemma Jones.

Captain America: Brave New World — In Theaters February 14, 2025

Eli Adé/Marvel Studios/Disney

Marvel fans, we are so back! After a slew of movies and TV shows that contributed to superhero fatigue for all of us, the MCU is getting back to its roots with Captain America: Brave New World. Sam Wilson has taken up the mantle of Captain America but is constantly compared to Steve Rogers — especially when the government finds itself on the brink of a worldwide crisis.

Captain America: Brave New World premieres February 14 and stars Anthony Mackie, Danny Ramirez, Harrison Ford, and Liv Tyler.

Paddington in Peru — In Theaters February 14, 2025

Peter Mountain/StudioCanal/Sony Pictures

Paddington is off on a tropical adventure when his quest to find Aunt Lucy takes him (and the whole family) to the Amazon rain forest. Hopefully he has plenty of marmalade sandwiches!

Paddington in Peru premieres February 14 and stars Hugh Bonneville, Emily Mortimer, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Imelda Staunton, Carla Tous, Ben Whishaw, Olivia Colman, and Madeleine Harris.

The Unbreakable Boy — In Theaters February 21, 2025

Lionsgate

In this new movie, Jacob Laval is a joyful boy with autism and brittle bone disease who makes everything around him more beautiful. This is the perfect encouraging movie to see with the family this winter, but you might want to bring some tissues!

The Unbreakable Boy premieres February 21 and stars Austin LeRette, Meghann Fahy, Zachary Levi, Patricia Heaton, and Gavin Warren.

Cleaner — In Theaters February 21, 2025

Quiver Distribution

When a group of radical activists take over an energy company's gala (and take 300 hostages), their mission takes a turn for the worse when one member takes things to the extreme. Now it's up to a soldier-turned-window cleaner literally hanging out outside the building to save everyone inside.

Cleaners hits theaters February 21 and stars Daisy Ridley, Taz Skylar, and Clive Owen.

Old Guy — In Theaters February 21

The Avenue

An older hitman is not happy about training a younger guy to take his place, but when they learn their employer set them up, they wind up becoming allies instead.

Old Guy premieres February 21 and stars Christoph Waltz, Cooper Hoffman, Lucy Liu, Ryan McParland, Ann Akinjirin, Jason Done, Tony Hirst, Kate Katzman, Conor Mullen, and Rory Mullen.

The Monkey — In Theaters February 21, 2025

Neon

Twins Hal and Bill grew apart after they found an old monkey toy that belonged to their father and people around them started dying. But now that the deaths have begun again, they reunite to protect their loved ones and destroy the monkey once and for all.

The Monkey hits theaters February 21 and stars Osgood Perkins, Theo James, Elijah Wood, James Wan, Tatiana Maslany, Christian Convery, Laura Mennell, and Sarah Levy.

Last Breath — In Theaters February 28, 2025

Focus FeaturesLast Breath — In Theaters February 28, 2025

When diver Chris Lemons becomes untethered 100 meters underwater, Duncon Allcock and David Yuasa have to figure out how to rescue him — if they can even find him. Yep, I'm getting anxious just thinking about this!

Last Breath premieres February 28 and stars stars Woody Harrelson, Simu Liu, Finn Cole, Cliff Curtis and Djimon Hounsou.

Which new movie will you be watching this February? Don't forget to catch up on the best January movies too!

The hottest bag trends for 2025 are here, and they’re quick to make a bold statement in every shape, size, and color. This year’s bag styles are already super exciting, ranging from retro to modern – plus, they’re pretty much wearable for any occasion.

Find a bag that truly matches your vibe with these top 6 bag trends for 2025!

Urban Outfitters

Silence + Noise Suede Fringe Hobo Sling Bag

1. Fringe-y Bags

Fringe is just plain fun. Echoing the popularity of the ever-Western cowboy boot trend from 2024 (and also carrying a bit of retro flair), this bag trend definitely has enough detail to get heads turning your way.

Time Resistance

Time Resistance Little Dorrit Leather Barrel Bag

2. Doctor Bags

Also known as medicine bags, doctor bags literally recall the bags doctors would take with them to make house calls. They're gonna be super popular in 2025, so get to shoppin' with this adorable green design. Similar bag styles to look out for include satchel and duffle bags.

Madewell

Madewell The Essential Medium Bucket Tote

3. Bucket Bags

Bucket bags will continue to be a huge hit in 2025. Not only are they cute, they're also practical, thanks to their larger size. This pick from Madewell could easily fit any and every essential you need for the workday – laptop included.

Free People

Free People Movement Quilted Carryall Bag

4. Puffy Bags

Things are about to get... puffy. Texture of any kind will instantly draw eyes to your outfit, but there's something so unique about the up-and-coming puffy bag! Typically, you'd find this pattern on a down coat or puffer jacket, so it's familiar enough that you won't feel overly wacky wearing this bag trend.

Anthropologie

Anthropologie The Love Knot Slouchy Bag

5. Slouchy Bags

Slouchy bags are also on the rise for 2025. Plus, the larger, the better! You can find slouchy bags in all kinds of fabrications, so you're sure to find one that speaks to your personal style and daily toting needs. This black leather one will wear well with any ensemble.

Quince

Quince Italian Suede Slouchy Shoulder Bag

6. Suede Bags

Suede is truly timeless. The material is about to be everywhere this year – garments, shoes, and even bags will be decked out in it. Try out the trend with a sophisticated style like this one from Quince!

Subscribe to our newsletter to shop more of the hottest 2025 fashion trends!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.