Boo-rata boards are the cutest addition to Halloween party spreads. A simple ball of burrata makes an eerie-sistible ghost that pairs with peppery arugula and sweet berries.
How to Make a Boo-rata Board—aka the Cutest Halloween Cheese Board
Published on Oct. 17, 2024
I say “good riddance” to summer as soon as I feel the slightest chill in the air. I pull out my Halloween decor, light apple cider-scented candles, bake cozy pumpkin desserts and think about all of the fall recipes. Unfortunately for my cholesterol, I base a lot of my meals around whatever type of cheese I have in the fridge. Burrata has been on regular rotation as of late. So when I saw boo-rata boards trending on TikTok, I immediately knew I would have to try it.
Like other Halloween charcuterie boards (have you seen the Hocus Pocus charcuterie?!), you’ll want to stock up on cured meats, leafy green fillers, fruits, crackers and different types of olives. While you prep the ingredients used in this spooky-cute party spread, it’s a good idea to take the burrata out of the fridge. It tastes best at room temperature!
How to Make a Boo-rata Board for Halloween
Ingredients
- Burrata: The reason this cheese works so well is because the mozzarella shell is filled with stracciatella, a super soft creamy cheese similar to cottage cheese. Once you cut into the firm shell, the creamy cheese will spill out, giving the ghost its shape.
- Arugula: This peppery leafy green pairs wonderfully with the mild, sweet taste of burrata cheese. This will be the grass in the ghost graveyard.
- Salami: You’ll use cut slices of salami as the little gravestones in the arugula grass.
- Olives: We used kalamata, but you can use black olives or other dark purple olives like Nyons or Niçoise to make the ghost’s face.
- Berries: Scatter blueberries and blackberries around the top of the ghost’s head to create a night sky.
- Cheddar cheese: You can never have too much cheese on a snack board! Use sliced cheddar to cut out a moon and stars to place in the night sky. Leftover cheddar slices work perfectly for making skeleton charcuterie too.
Directions
Step 1: Make the ghost
Place your ball of burrata in the center of your serving board. Cut a small wedge into the bottom so the creamy cheese inside spills out. Use the back of a spoon or a small cheese knife to push the creamy cheese aside like the bottom of a ghost. Cut a slice of an olive for the mouth, and use a straw (or a knife if you have patience) to create the olive eyes.
Step 2: Make the grass
Fill the bottom half of your snack board with arugula. Using a knife, cut U-shaped pieces of salami so they look like little gravestones. Scatter as many as you want in the arugula grass.
Step 3: Make the night sky
Fill the top half of the board with blueberries and blackberries. Make sure that the edge of the arugula and the edge of the berries are touching.
Step 4: Cut out the stars
This is where you’ll need some time and patience. Using a small knife, cut the cheddar slices into small stars and a crescent moon. If you have mini star cookie cutters, those will work like a charm!
Boo-rata Board Tips
Can you make a burrata board ahead of time?
Because most of the ingredients on this board are fresh produce and cheese, it’s best to assemble this board as close to serving as you can. This being said, you can prep a few things a day in advance to make assembly a breeze.
To start, rinse your berries and the arugula. Put the arugula in a salad spinner or press it between paper towels so it doesn’t wilt. You can also cut out the stars and moon and store them pressed between two layers of parchment in a resealable plastic bag. Cut the salami gravestones and store them in a resealable plastic bag. The next day, all you’ll have to do is pull out your prepped ingredients and assemble.
What else can I put on a boo-rata board?
If your board is big enough, surround the ghost, graveyard and sky with ribbons of prosciutto and crostini toasts. Slice and toast a loaf French bread for the easiest vehicle to scoop soft burrata. You can also toss the arugula in good olive oil and sprinkle in fresh basil for more depth of flavor.
Balsamic glaze would be a sweet option to replace the olives on the ghost’s face if you don’t want to buy a whole jar of olives just for the eyes and mouth. You can also sprinkle in cherry tomatoes for a Caprese-inspired twist.
Can I use mozzarella if I can’t find burrata?
You can technically swap mozzarella for burrata, but cutting into mozzarella won’t provide the same spillover effect to create the cloud-like bottom of a ghost. You might just have to be creative with how you cut a log of mozzarella to create a ghost shape! If you can’t find a log of mozz, use the ball and cut out multiple little ghosts.
