A striking horse-shaped platter featuring cheeses, fruits, nuts, and charcuterie for gatherings and celebrations.
# Components:
→ Cheeses
01 - 3.5 oz aged cheddar, cubed
02 - 3.5 oz brie, sliced
03 - 3.5 oz gouda, cubed
04 - 3.5 oz blue cheese, crumbled
→ Charcuterie
05 - 3.5 oz prosciutto, thinly sliced
06 - 3.5 oz salami, sliced
07 - 3.5 oz smoked turkey, sliced
→ Fresh Fruits
08 - 1 cup red grapes, halved
09 - 1 cup green grapes, halved
10 - 1 apple, thinly sliced
11 - 1 pear, thinly sliced
12 - 0.5 cup dried apricots
→ Vegetables
13 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
14 - 1 cup cucumber, sliced
15 - 0.5 cup baby carrots
→ Crackers & Bread
16 - 2 cups assorted crackers
17 - 1 baguette, sliced
→ Nuts & Extras
18 - 0.5 cup roasted almonds
19 - 0.5 cup walnuts
20 - 0.25 cup olives (black or green)
21 - 0.25 cup cornichons or small pickles
22 - 0.25 cup honey or fig jam
# Method Steps:
01 - Lay a large, clean serving board or tray and outline the shape of a horse using parchment paper or a template to guide the arrangement.
02 - Place cubed and sliced cheeses to form the horse’s head, mane, and body, alternating colors and shapes for visual contrast.
03 - Layer the sliced prosciutto, salami, and smoked turkey to define the mane, legs, and contours, or omit for a vegetarian option.
04 - Fill in remaining spaces with halved grapes, apple and pear slices, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, baby carrots, and dried apricots to create natural curves and accents.
05 - Arrange assorted crackers and baguette slices around the edges or as the horse’s ground base for structure.
06 - Scatter roasted almonds, walnuts, olives, and cornichons in small clusters to add textural interest and fill gaps within the design.
07 - Use a small dish of honey or fig jam positioned as the eye or decorative detail, then adjust the overall layout to ensure the horse shape is distinct and colors are balanced.
08 - Present immediately with cheese knives and serving utensils for guests to enjoy.
