Zenith Point Salad Cheese (Printable Version)

Artfully arranged salad with fresh produce, nuts, and a striking cheese centerpiece for a vibrant experience.

# What You'll Need:

→ Fresh Produce

01 - 2 cups baby arugula
02 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 1/2 cucumber, thinly sliced
04 - 1 small watermelon radish, thinly sliced
05 - 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds

→ Nuts & Seeds

06 - 1/4 cup toasted walnuts

→ Dressing

07 - 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
08 - 1 tbsp white balsamic vinegar
09 - 1 tsp honey
10 - 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Cheese Centerpiece

12 - 1 small artisanal cheese wheel (approximately 8.8 oz), such as Saint-Marcellin, Brie, or similar soft-ripened cheese

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Place the artisanal cheese wheel on a small pedestal or plate at one corner of a large serving platter or board.
02 - Lay baby arugula in a sweeping arc radiating outward from the cheese wheel to create directional lines converging on the cheese.
03 - Arrange cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, and watermelon radish slices in orderly rows angled toward the cheese wheel.
04 - Evenly scatter pomegranate seeds and toasted walnuts along the arranged ingredients, maintaining the directional pattern toward the cheese.
05 - Whisk together olive oil, white balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a small mixing bowl until emulsified.
06 - Lightly drizzle the dressing over the arranged ingredients, taking care to avoid the cheese wheel.
07 - Present immediately, inviting guests to cut from the cheese wheel and combine it with the salad components.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It's a conversation starter that looks like it took hours but honestly only needs 20 minutes.
  • The cheese becomes the hero instead of a side note, and that soft, creamy center transforms every bite.
  • You get to feel like you're hosting something special without the stress of actual cooking.
02 -
  • Assemble this as close to serving as possible because arugula and tomatoes will start to weep if they sit with the dressing too long.
  • The cheese wheel needs to be at room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving so it's actually spreadable, not hard—this changes everything about how people interact with it.
03 -
  • Chill your platter or board in the freezer for 10 minutes before arranging—cold surfaces help everything stay crisp and in place longer.
  • If your watermelon radish isn't as visually striking as you'd hoped, shave it even thinner on a mandoline so the pink rings are more prominent, or substitute with another colorful vegetable you love.
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