A vibrant horse-shaped platter with cheeses, meats, fruits, nuts and crackers arranged for visually stunning appeal.
# What You'll Need:
→ 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 (omit for vegetarian option)
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 - 1/2 cup dried apricots
→ Vegetables
13 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
14 - 1 cup cucumber, sliced
15 - 1/2 cup baby carrots
→ Crackers & Bread
16 - 2 cups assorted crackers
17 - 1 baguette, sliced
→ Nuts & Extras
18 - 1/2 cup roasted almonds
19 - 1/2 cup walnuts
20 - 1/4 cup olives (black or green)
21 - 1/4 cup cornichons or small pickles
22 - 1/4 cup honey or fig jam
# Steps to Follow:
01 - On a large, clean board or tray, sketch the silhouette of a horse using parchment paper or a horse-shaped template as a guide.
02 - Position the cubed and sliced cheeses to form the horse’s head, mane, and body, varying colors and shapes for visual appeal.
03 - Layer thin slices of prosciutto, salami, and smoked turkey to define contours and add texture, such as the mane and legs.
04 - Fill spaces with halved grapes, sliced apples and pears, cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, dried apricots, and baby carrots for dimension.
05 - Arrange assorted crackers and baguette slices along the outer edges to outline the horse’s ground and frame the board.
06 - Disperse roasted almonds, walnuts, olives, and cornichons in small clusters to add detail and fill gaps.
07 - Use a small dish of honey or fig jam as the horse’s eye or decorative highlight.
08 - Adjust components to enhance the horse shape and ensure balanced colors and textures across the platter.
09 - Present immediately with cheese knives and serving utensils.
