Description
Create a festive and visually stunning Halloween appetizer with this spooky meat and cheese platter. Featuring a variety of cheeses, assorted charcuterie, fresh and dried fruits, nuts, olives, and sweet preserves, this platter delivers an enticing mix of flavors and textures perfect for entertaining guests with minimal prep time.
Ingredients
Cheeses
- 5 ounces blue cheese
- 6 ounces pub cheese
- 5 ounces triple cream cheese
- 4 ounces cheddar cheese
- 8 ounces brie
Fruits
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1/2 cup dried blueberries
- 1 cup blackberries
- 8 figs
- 1 pound purple grapes
- 8 ounces dried cherries
- 2 plums, sliced
Meats and Accompaniments
- 9 ounces assorted charcuterie
- 8 ounces marinated olives
- 1 cup marcona almonds
- 1 cup candied walnuts
- 1 cup cornichons
- 4 ounces honey comb
- 4 ounces blackberry preserves (or dark cherry preserves)
Crackers and Snacks
- 8 ounces crackers
- 2 ounces pretzel sticks
Instructions
- Prepare the base: Get out a large cutting board or platter, ideally around 18″ by 15″. This will serve as the foundation for your meat and cheese arrangement.
- Place the cheeses: Arrange blocks of cheese on the board, typically placing some in the four corners and one in the middle, but feel free to stagger and vary placement for visual interest.
- Add small bowls: Set small bowls on the platter to hold the marinated olives and honeycomb, distributing them evenly around the larger cheese blocks.
- Arrange meats and fruits: Begin adding the assorted charcuterie meats around the cheeses and bowls. Then place the larger fruits like purple grapes around the platter to fill empty spaces.
- Fill in with berries and nuts: Scatter handfuls of blueberries, dried blueberries, blackberries, figs, dried cherries, sliced plums, marcona almonds, and candied walnuts to fill in gaps and create a balanced, colorful presentation.
- Add pickled and sweet accompaniments: Include cornichons and spoon blackberry or dark cherry preserves on the platter for complementary flavors.
- Finish with crackers and pretzels: Place crackers and pretzel sticks around the perimeter or in remaining gaps, making sure everything is easy to grab for guests.
Notes
- Use a sizable platter or wooden board with plenty of surface area to accommodate all ingredients comfortably.
- Feel free to customize the meats, cheeses, and fruits based on personal preference or seasonal availability.
- Arrange items with a mix of colors and textures to make the platter visually appealing.
- Serve at room temperature for the best flavor experience, especially the cheeses.
- Provide small serving utensils or toothpicks for easy picking.
- Leftovers can be stored refrigerated and enjoyed within 2-3 days.
