Celtic Cross Cheese Platter (Printer View)

A visually appealing cheese selection with four distinct quadrants and a creamy central dip, perfect for sophisticated entertaining.

# What you'll need:

→ Cheeses

01 - 3.5 oz Irish cheddar, cubed
02 - 3.5 oz Brie, sliced
03 - 3.5 oz Blue cheese, crumbled
04 - 3.5 oz Manchego, sliced

→ Central Dip

05 - 5.3 oz sour cream or Greek yogurt
06 - 1 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
07 - 1 tsp lemon juice
08 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Accompaniments

09 - 2.8 oz seedless red grapes
10 - 2.8 oz dried apricots
11 - 1.8 oz walnuts
12 - 1.8 oz honey

→ Crackers & Bread

13 - 3.5 oz rustic crackers
14 - 1 small baguette, sliced

# Method:

01 - Combine sour cream or Greek yogurt with chopped chives, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Transfer mixture into a small round bowl.
02 - Position the bowl of dip at the center of a large, round serving platter.
03 - Visually divide the platter into four quadrants and arrange each cheese variety in its own section, fanning or grouping attractively around the dip.
04 - Fill the spaces between cheese quadrants with seedless grapes, dried apricots, and walnuts for color and texture variation.
05 - Lightly drizzle honey over the blue cheese quadrant to enhance flavor contrast.
06 - Arrange rustic crackers and sliced baguette around the platter’s outer edge for convenient serving.
07 - Present immediately, ensuring cheeses are at room temperature for optimal taste.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks stunning without requiring any fancy plating skills—the cross pattern does the heavy lifting for you.
  • Four different cheeses mean everyone finds something they love, from sharp blues to creamy brie.
  • You can have it ready in twenty minutes, but guests will think you spent hours planning.
02 -
  • Room temperature is non-negotiable—pull your cheeses out of the fridge at least thirty minutes before serving, or you'll lose half the flavor and creamy texture you worked to showcase.
  • The cross pattern only works if you commit to it; don't scatter cheeses randomly or you've just made a cheese board, not this particular board with intention behind it.
03 -
  • Toast your walnuts lightly in a dry pan for five minutes before scattering them—the warmth brings out their earthiness and adds dimension to every bite.
  • If blue cheese feels intimidating to your guests, place it strategically and pair small slices with a dab of honey and a walnut; that combination converts skeptics into believers.
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