How to Make the Perfect Charcuterie Board

How to Make the Perfect Charcuterie Board

The Board

The very first thing to consider when you are putting together a charcuterie board is the actual board itself. You can get them in a range of sizes and materials, and the size you choose should be geared toward how many people you’re making food for. So, if you want to make sure that you’re not running out of room, get a large flat board that will fit the number of people you are trying to feed.

If you want to be fancy, you can even use an actual dining table as a board itself! It’s perfect as a solution for parties with a large group, and you can dress the table up in any way you like. Wooden cutting boards and slate boards work really well as charcuterie boards, so you can use what you have if you don’t want to go out and buy something specific.

The Food

The main event of the charcuterie board is the food. You want to impress people, and the best way that you can do that is with the right options! Adding in cured and smoked meats as the first layer is a smart choice, and then you can surround these meats with a range of cheeses. Add cheese knives to the side of the board, too, so that you can ensure that your guests don’t have to use their fingers.

You want to make sure that you head to the best delis and butchers for the right meats. Some cured meats can be harsh on the wallet, but if you choose pre-sliced meats, cured meats and even spreadable ones like pate, you’re going to impress everyone!

You want to add the larger blocks on the outside of the board first and go smaller as you move inwards. This will help you space out your board and make it look pretty. Salami, smoked ham and chorizo slices are a great start, and you can visit your local delis and stores for your favorite options.

You can then choose cheeses that compliment the smoky flavors of the meat. If you want to add something tasty, sun-dried tomatoes and mozzarella balls are an excellent option.

The next element to the food is in the bread and crackers. Those meats and cheeses are better balanced with options like bagels, pita breads, wraps, chips, and more. You can provide your guests with a complete meal when you don’t forget the carb options, and they can then layer all of the flavors on the board and ensure that the fresh breads you use are ready to eat. Pre-slicing will help you make it easy for your guests to eat.

Lastly, you want the fruits and garnishes on the board. Filling in the gaps with complementary berries, dried fruits and nuts is important. You can add apple slices to the board if you’re serving cheddar cheeses and brie, which would be aesthetically pleasing and tasty for your guests to enjoy.

by TOUFAYAN BAKERIES

Stop By Our Bakery Store in Plant City, Florida!

Visit Our Bakery in Plant City, FL

If you live in or around Plant City, FL, such as Tampa, Lakeland, and Brandon, you might have driven by and been intoxicated by the smell of our fresh baked bread and cookies.  Now, you could easily swing by and enjoy all the delicious cookies and bakery items you could hope for, fresh from our factory store. We’ve got something for everyone including gluten free options.

And that’s not all. We’re also carrying select Toufayan Bakery products such as wraps, pita, bagels, and breadsticks so dessert won’t be the only item on the table!

Freshly Baked Goods Near Tampa, Lakeland, and Brandon at our Plant City, Florida Factory Store.

Get Cookies and Fresh Baked Breads
at the Toufayan Bakery Factory Store

Swing on by our bakery at 2615 E US Hwy 92, Plant City, FL 33566 between the hours of 9:00am and 4:00pm, Monday through Friday, to enjoy the best tasting cookies money can buy. But remember, cash only. We do not accept credit cards, debit cards, checks, or any other methods of payment.

The Toufayan Family hopes to see you soon!

by TOUFAYAN BAKERIES

What Is a Plant-Based Diet and How to Get Started

Your diet has a major impact on your well-being, which is why it’s important to choose foods that allow your body to thrive. When you consume foods that boost your energy, prevent inflammation and give your body the fuel it needs, you can expect to feel healthier, both physically and emotionally.

When it comes to finding the right foods to eat, there are plenty of opinions out there. From vegan and vegetarian to full-fat and high-protein, it's tricky to determine what’s right for you. However, millions of people and many scientific studies are proving just how beneficial a plant-based diet can be.

Read on to learn more about what makes up a plant-based diet and find out how easy it is to make the switch.

What is a Plant-Based Diet?

As the name suggests, a plant-based diet comprises foods that come from… well, plants! This incorporates fruits and vegetables, but there’s much more to offer when you’re eating a plant-based diet. Legumes, nuts, beans, seeds, and whole grains are all plant based, so you can create varied and healthy meals while adhering to a plant based plan.

There’s naturally some overlap between plant-based diets and other types of eating. Plant-based and vegan diets are, perhaps, the most similar, but there is a crucial difference: vegans avoid all animal products while people following a plant-based diet may choose to eat animal products from time-to-time.

Rather than being a strict plant only regime, a plant based or plant forward diet simply encourages you to consume fewer animal products and more plant-based foods. Because of this, it’s easy to embrace a plant-based diet and make it part of your usual routine.

To find out how to get started with a plant based eating regime, look at these top tips:

Make Easy Substitutes

If you love carbs, it’s easy to switch to a plant-based diet. Simply switch from refined options, like white bread, to whole grain alternatives, like our Multigrain Pitas. As well as being free from trans fats and cholesterol, they’re packaged in handy packs of three, which makes it easy and convenient to whip up a snack, prepare a lunch or bulk out your dinner.

Whole grain products typically contain more fiber than other breads with a higher glycemic index, which means they can boost your health in several ways. From enhanced digestion to more stable blood sugars, there are many benefits when you incorporate more whole grains into your diet.

Don’t Use Meat as a Main Component

If you’re a meat-eater, there’s a good chance that most of your meals feature meat as the principal component. Think about your last few dinner plates - if meat was the centerpiece and whole grains or vegetables were simply an after-thought, it might be time to mix things up a little.

If you want to keep eating meat while embracing a plant-based diet, it’s certainly fine to do so. However, use meat as an ‘extra’, rather than as the key component of a meal. When you make vegetables, nuts or whole grains your main meal and add a little meat, for example, you’ll be significantly reducing your consumption and increasing the volume of plant-based foods you consume instead.

Make Gradual Changes

Drastically changing your eating habits can be challenging, particularly if you’ve been eating the same foods for a long time. Although some people manage it, attempting to significantly alter your diet often means you’re more likely to fall back into old habits.

In contrast, small, sustainable changes are easier to manage and much simpler to implement. When you use our great-tasting multi-grain pita breads, for example, you’ll hardly notice you’re eating plant based!

Gradual changes are easier to cope with psychologically and you won’t feel you’re depriving yourself of the foods you enjoy. As you experiment with plant-based foods, feel their benefits, and experience how delicious they are, you’ll naturally gravitate towards them and make them a more central feature of your diet.

Try New Things

If you don’t eat a lot of fruits or vegetables, following a plant-based diet might sound difficult (or impossible!), but it doesn’t have to be. Trying new varieties of fruits and veggies can be a great way to broaden your horizons and discover more plant-based foods you love. After all, there are thousands of different options out there, so why limit yourself?

Remember–there are endless ways that fruit and vegetables can be prepared. If you’re not a fan of veggies because you remember them as over-boiled and under-flavored, get yourself in the kitchen and start experimenting. When you roast, pan-fry or steam vegetables, you can enjoy their true flavor and realize just how delicious they are.

Start Meal Planning

Meal planning can be a great way to reduce the time you spend in the kitchen and cut the cost of your groceries. When you plan your meals in advance, you can bulk-buy ingredients and undertake a lot of the prep in one go, which means you can whip up great-tasting plant based meals in minutes.

When you’re hungry and there’s nothing on hand, it’s easy to order takeout or rely on junk food, but when you’ve got a healthy and nutritious meal available at all times, you’ll find it’s easy to embrace a plant based lifestyle.

What Are the Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet?

Many people find that a plant-based diet helps them feel more energetic, less bloated, and more alert. Following a plant based plan can help to lower your cholesterol and even facilitate weight loss. What’s more–a plant-based diet is more environmentally friendly than other options, so it’s a brilliant choice if you’re committed to sustainability!

At Toufayan® Bakeries, we’re proud to offer a range of wholegrain and multi-grain products that can be enjoyed as part of a plant-based diet. Look at our full section of freshly baked products to learn more today.

Disclaimer: Always check with your doctor before trying any new diet. We are no substitute for nutritionists.

Recommended Plant-Based Recipes

See below for five delicious, plant-based dishes you can make with Toufayan products! Click the link under each dish for the full recipe and ingredients needed.

Rainbow Kale Salad with Pita Bread

Feast your eyes on the radiance of this rainbow kale salad, glistening with each colorful ingredient. It's the perfect salad for lunch or dinner...or both!

Toufayan Ricotta & Pomegranate Breakfast Flatbread

The perfect combination of salty and sweet in one meal to start your day!

Strawberry Basil Smart Pockets™

A hearty treat, perfect for breakfast or a snack on the go!

Spinach & Mushroom Tandoori Flatbread

Toufayan's new Tandoori Flatbreads are the perfect choice for any flatbread recipe! Try this with our Original or Whole Wheat flavors.

Falafel Pita

An easy to make, classic mediterranean lunch, great for leftovers!

by TOUFAYAN BAKERIES

Toufayan Bakeries Chromebook Promotion: Winners Announced

Toufayan Bakeries Chromebook Promotion: Winners Announced

The best school lunches start with Toufayan, and the best way to survive “Zoom School” is with a Chromebook!

Back to school may look different this year, but making learning fun and lunch healthy are still priorities for parents.

Virtual learning is part of this year’s new normal, and The Toufayan Family wanted to help make it a little easier by giving away TWO NEW Chromebooks to fans.

The promotion, in partnership with iHeartMedia Hudson Valley and Q92.1 FM Radio, ended on Friday, 9/25, and two winners have been granted their laptop computers.

Congratulations to the first winner, Mary, and the second winner, Scott and his family!

Mary plans to gift her Chromebook to her grandchildren, and she says she can’t wait to spend more time with them virtually and help them learn new things on her Chromebook!

by TOUFAYAN BAKERIES

Toufayan Helps Aspiring Chefs Reach Their Dreams

Toufayan Helps Aspiring Chefs Reach Their Dreams
Company Awards Two Scholarships to Baking and Pastry Students at
The Culinary Institute of America

Ridgefield, NJ, October 8, 2020 – Toufayan Bakeries, one of the largest family owned and operated bakeries in the US, has awarded two $5,000 scholarships to students attending The Culinary Institute of America.

Chosen by anonymous essay submissions from students studying Baking and Pastry Arts, recipients Lexy Slone, Leesburg, VA, class of 2021, and Soohyun Park, Prattville, AL, class of 2020, received the Toufayan Bakeries Scholarship for the upcoming fall 2020 semester.

“With all of the current challenges students are facing during the pandemic, extra financial hardshipsand more, we’re proud to offer this scholarship to two individuals who are passionate about their commitment to the field of Baking and Pastry Arts – which we hold dear to our heart at Toufayan,” said Karen Toufayan, vice president of marketing and sales at Toufayan.

In addition to the scholarships, when social distancing guidelines permit, the recipients will be invited to Toufayans main bakery for a guided tour and success secrets from Toufayan’s lead bakers about the companies almost 100-year-old pita bread recipe.

About Toufayan Bakeries
Since 1926, families have been relyin' on the fresh taste of Toufayan. Toufayan is one of the largest privately held specialty bread bakeries in the US. Making the best bread has always been a passion for the Toufayan family. For almost 90 years, the Toufayans have been filling lunch boxes, toasters, and tummies with fresh lines of pitas, flatbreads, bagels, wraps, lavash, and breadsticks. Based in Ridgefield, N.J. with bakeries in Orlando and Plant City, Florida, the third generation of Toufayans oversees the entire process from ingredient sourcing and production to distribution.  While trends come and go, high quality, fresh and authentic products are always in demand. The Toufayan family is committed to quality you can taste. Find Toufayan at www.toufayan.com and www.facebook.com/toufayan.

by TOUFAYAN BAKERIES

How To Wrap A Wrap So it Doesn't Fall Apart On You

A delicious wrap is the perfect way to enjoy a delicious and balanced mix of protein, healthy carbs and veggies. A soft wrap not only holds everything together but adds a taste and texture to every bite.

We know, though, that wrapping a wrap can actually be intimidating! Don’t be shy, give it a try – we’re here to help!

Why Do We Love Wraps?

Wraps are the all the rage because they are simply so convenient and flexible and a perfect alternative to elevate a sandwich and contain your favorite fixings.

Wraps Contain Fewer Carbs and Calories

The average whole-wheat tortilla wrap contains around 210 calories with 34 grams of carbohydrates.

Compared that with two slices of whole-wheat bread which on average contain 240 calories and 46 grams of carbohydrates and you can see why health-conscious consumers favor wraps.

Of course, you should always look at nutrition labels to see if there are other nutrients in the wrap or the bread that you usually buy to make a better comparison.

Wraps Can Hold More Ingredients Than Two Slices of Bread

When it comes to fillings, we love the way wraps do a great job holding in more ingredients. There’s just far more space to place your favorite items!

You can stuff with a fresh serving of greens or veggies and still have lots of room for protein in a wrap, making it the most convenient vessel to enjoy your breakfast, lunch or even dinner with no need for a knife and fork. Plus, they’re super portable – easy to take on the go or pack for a later lunch.

When you compare this to a sandwich, it’s easy to see why many people prefer wraps for a more filling meal.

Wraps are Easier to Eat

Bite into a big sandwich and you may soon have sauce oozing out the side and your ingredients tumbling to the plate.

In comparison, a wrap contains everything in a tidy pocket with no spillage assuming you’ve used a quality, soft tortilla wrap, making it much easier to eat.

Ready to swap bread for a wrap?

Why a Properly Wrapped Wrap is Important

One thing that puts people off eating wraps is the fact they can fall apart at almost any moment.

A wrap will usually unravel itself if it hasn’t been made properly. If you have too many ingredients inside your wrap, it can also fall apart very easily and can cause more of a mess than a sandwich.

It’s for this reason that many people are scared about making their own wraps and would prefer to buy something from a store or restaurant instead. But that’s something that can be solved.

If your wraps tend to unravel or split, we’ve got you covered. There’s a method to making the perfect wrap and we’re here to share!

Different Methods to Wrap a Wrap

Fortunately, there are several easy ways to help you master the art of wrapping a wrap.

We’ll start with some general tips on how you should approach a wrap, and then give you some specific details on a variety of ways to wrap a wrap, along with a video demonstration.

General Tips for Wrapping

• Make sure you use a large tortilla wrap! Make room for all those great ingredients. If your wrap is too small, it can be tricky to work with. A good rule of thumb is to fill the ingredients to 1/3 the size of the wrap.
• A soft wrap is easier to handle and fold. Warm the tortilla wrap before you use it. Simply microwave it for a few seconds or place it on a dry heated skillet on low heat. This will help your tortilla wrap become more malleable, especially if it’s been sitting in a fridge for a while. This makes your tortilla wrap less likely to tear when you fold it.
• Spread the filling around. You want to ensure that you spread the filling around, so it doesn’t leak out of the sides when you start wrapping it.
• Try to avoid too many wet ingredients, such as an excess of dressing or sauce. If possible, you want to use fewer wet ingredients because moisture can eventually make your wrap soggy and fall apart.
• If you’re not eating it right away, wrap it in foil. Foil is strong enough to help the wrap hold its shape. Place a large piece of aluminum foil underneath the tortilla wrap so it’s easier to wrap around once it’s done.

Standard Folding Method

The standard folding method is what most people go with.

• Start with the fillings in the middle of your tortilla wrap, making sure it doesn’t cover more than a third of the surface area.
• Fold the left and right edges of the wrap towards the center over the ingredients.
• Bring the bottom of the tortilla wrap up towards the center.
• Using a fork or spoon, pack the filling tighter so the remainder of the wrap surface has more empty space.
• As you tuck the filling in, continue rolling the wrap from the bottom until you reach the end.
• Just before you completely wrap it, add a bit of sauce onto the tortilla wrap to act as a sealant for the wrap.
• Press down on the wrap and hold it in place to help it keep the shape.
• Tuck in the sides to make it look a little more appealing.
• Cut diagonally across the middle and serve!

Cylinder Roll Method

This method is faster and generally preferred if you plan to eat the wrap immediately.

• Place the filling horizontally across the middle of your tortilla wrap. Make sure there’s no filling on the edges of the tortilla wrap because it will spill out.
• Fold the bottom edge of the tortilla wrap towards the center, tucking in any of the fillings you have leftover.
• Roll the wrap, making sure to tuck in any filling that spills out.
• As you reach the end, spread some sauce over the remainder of the tortilla wrap to help it seal.
• Once you finish rolling, tuck in the edges of the tortilla wrap to help secure the wrap.
• You can cut it diagonally here if you want, but you want to ensure the side with the fold stays at the bottom to prevent it from unraveling.

Envelope Fold Method

This creates a much shorter wrap but allows for more filling.

• Place your filling into the center of the tortilla wrap. You can be a little more liberal with your filling using this method, but not don’t overdo it!
• Fold the left and right sides into the middle. It should overlap a bit over the filling.
• Pick up the bottom side of the tortilla wrap and bring it up towards the center starting from the bottom. You should use a folding motion here and not a roll.
• With each fold, make sure you secure the filling by pressing it down gently. This should be done in about two or three swift motions before the wrap is complete.
• Once you’re done, you can cut the wrap to serve it. Since there’s a lot of filling in this one, it’s a great way to present your wrap.

Common Mistakes That People Make When Wrapping

Hopefully, the methods above should have given you a good idea of how you can successfully make your own wraps at home.

However, if you’re still having trouble, here are some common mistakes that people make.

Buying a Low-Quality Tortilla Wrap

The tortilla wrap itself should be fairly decent in quality. Low-quality tortilla wraps are likely to tear, even if you’re being careful.

A thicker or more pliable tortilla wrap is going to be much easier to work with.

Consider purchasing tortilla wraps that are easy to work with and help give you an easier time wrapping, such as a reputable brand like Toufayan.

Forgetting to Heat the Wrap

Most people keep their wraps in the fridge which makes them difficult to work with. Since they’re cold, it makes them more brittle and thus prone to splitting and tearing.

It’s recommended that you heat the wrap in the microwave or place them on a dry hot skillet for a few seconds.

Adding Too Much Filling

If you feel like your wraps are always bursting and can barely hold anything, then you’re probably using far too much filling.

We’d suggest following a wrap recipe to get a better idea of how much you should be filling the wrap, and also to get some more ideas on what you can put in your wraps.

Using a Small Tortilla Wrap

Alternatively, you could just be using a tortilla wrap that’s too small for your needs.

If you want to use a lot of filling, make sure your tortilla wrap is large enough. You should be using no more than a third of the surface area for fillings.

Wrapping Up

That's a wrap! We hope that these tips have convinced you to give wraps another try.

When done correctly, a wrap should never fall apart and become a mess. It’s easy to do once you’ve practiced a little, and it’s a convenient way to enjoy a healthier alternative to some sandwiches.

If you want to try out our wraps and see for yourself how these tips work, we encourage you to check out our store locator, or place an order on Amazon.

by TOUFAYAN BAKERIES