Save I'll never forget the first time I created a black and white platter for an engagement party. The bride-to-be had requested something striking and minimal, and as I arranged those pristine mozzarella balls against dark olives and rye bread, something magical happened. The geometric precision I was aiming for suddenly felt less like a puzzle and more like edible art. My guests kept photographing it before touching a single piece, and that's when I knew this wasn't just food—it was a moment frozen on a plate.
What I remember most is standing back from that engagement party platter, watching people hesitate before breaking the pattern because they didn't want to ruin the design. That's the real power of this dish—it brings people together by making them pause and appreciate beauty before indulgence.
Ingredients
- Pitted black olives (Kalamata or Niçoise), 100 g: These aren't just flavor bombs—they're your darkest visual anchor. I learned the hard way that brined olives work better than dry ones because they maintain their plump integrity when arranged for hours.
- Dark rye bread, 8 slices: Cut these into geometric shapes before you do anything else—they're your structural foundation and somehow taste better when they've had a few minutes to settle after cutting.
- Fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini or ciliegine), 200 g: The creamier the better. I always drain them well and pat them dry because moisture is the enemy of a crisp, clean presentation.
- Large fresh mozzarella ball, 1 (for slicing): Get the best quality you can find—this is one of your star ingredients and deserves respect.
- Black sesame seeds, 1 tablespoon: These tiny seeds do remarkable visual work. They catch light and add dimension without overwhelming the palate.
- White sesame seeds, 1 tablespoon: A mirror image of the black—they complete the monochromatic story you're telling on that platter.
- Blanched almonds, 16: These act like little white punctuation marks. There's something satisfying about their uniformity when clustered together.
- Black mission figs, 8 halved (optional): I add these when I want to whisper a secret—that bit of natural sweetness surprises people in the best way.
- Vanilla bean, 1 (seeds scraped): This is my coup de grâce. It feels luxurious and tastes subtle—just a hint of something sophisticated that people can't quite name.
- Extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons: Use something you actually love tasting. This isn't cooking oil; this is finishing oil that deserves quality.
- Flaky sea salt: The larger crystals matter here because you'll actually see them nestled against the white cheese.
- Freshly cracked black pepper (optional): If you use it at all, use it sparingly—this platter speaks in whispers, not shouts.
Instructions
- Slice and Shape Your Foundation:
- Take your dark rye bread and, using a sharp knife, cut each slice into squares, triangles, or rectangles—whatever geometric shapes call to you. I like mixing shapes because it feels more like art than architecture. Arrange these on your platter first, creating your base pattern. This is your stage; everything else is the performance.
- Create Your Black and White Dance:
- Now comes the fun part. Start placing those black olives and white mozzarella balls in alternating patterns—I usually do lines or gentle circles, but follow your eye. This is where the magic starts to happen, and you'll feel like you're conducting something beautiful.
- Add Mozzarella Slices in Geometric Glory:
- Take your large mozzarella ball and slice it into thin, elegant rounds. Arrange these alongside your bread, overlapping slightly or layering them in geometric shapes. Each placement matters visually.
- Season with Seeds and Vision:
- Sprinkle black sesame seeds over the white mozzarella where you want depth and drama. Then scatter white sesame seeds over the rye bread for balance. These aren't random—place them with intention, like you're dotting stars across a night sky.
- Introduce Sweet Notes if You Wish:
- If you've chosen the figs, halve them and place them strategically where you want warmth and sweetness to peek through. They're optional, but they're also the moment when guests discover there's more to this platter than meets the eye.
- Add Almond Accents:
- Cluster your blanched almonds in small groups, creating little moments of white texture against the darker elements. Think of them as punctuation marks completing your edible story.
- Finish with Oil and Salt:
- Drizzle your best olive oil over the cheese and bread with the restraint of someone who knows better than to drown beauty. Season with flaky sea salt, letting those crystals catch light. If using black pepper, add just a whisper.
- The Vanilla Swan Song:
- This is the moment that separates good from memorable. Take your vanilla bean, and using the tip of a knife, gently scrape those tiny black seeds. Dot them artistically across your mozzarella slices—they look like caviar and smell like luxury. This is your signature move.
- Present Immediately or Wait Patiently:
- Serve right away to maintain that bread crispness, or cover loosely and refrigerate for up to an hour. Either way, stand back and admire what you've created before your guests dive in.
Save What moved me most was when my grandmother, who'd been quiet the whole party, finally asked me what the vanilla was about. I explained, and she smiled like she'd just been let in on a beautiful secret. That's what this platter does—it creates conversation, wonder, and connection in the most elegant way.
The Art of Visual Simplicity
In my kitchen, I've learned that constraints breed creativity. Working with only black and white ingredients initially felt limiting, but it became liberating. Every element had to earn its place, and that forced intention into every placement. There's something deeply satisfying about creating something that looks complex but is actually straightforward—geometry and restraint doing all the heavy lifting.
Pairings That Complement the Experience
This platter has taught me that what you serve alongside matters almost as much as the platter itself. I've discovered that a dry sparkling wine cuts right through the richness of the cheese while keeping the elegance intact. A crisp Sauvignon Blanc works too—something with a bit of acidity that cleanses and refreshes. Even a simple sparkling water with lemon becomes a moment of clarity between bites.
Making It Your Own
The beautiful thing about a black and white palette is that it forces you to make intentional choices rather than hide behind complexity. I've experimented with thinly sliced daikon radish for extra white crispness, and once added black garlic for depth that surprised everyone. The structure stays the same, but your personality shapes the experience. That's where the real creativity lives.
- For a gluten-free version, quality dark gluten-free bread maintains the contrast and holds the pattern just as beautifully
- Thinly sliced daikon radish adds another white texture and a whisper of spice that wakes up the palate
- Black garlic brings umami depth without breaking your color story—it's a secret ingredient that changes everything
Save This platter has become my favorite way to say welcome and create a moment before the meal even begins. It reminds me that sometimes the most sophisticated dishes are the ones that speak through simplicity rather than complexity.
Saffron Brook Recipe Q&As
- → What types of olives work best for this platter?
Kalamata or Niçoise olives are ideal choices, providing rich color and a balanced savory flavor.
- → Can I use gluten-free bread for the base?
Yes, substituting with gluten-free dark bread maintains the crisp texture while accommodating dietary needs.
- → How do the sesame seeds enhance the dish?
Black and white sesame seeds add a delicate crunch and visual contrast that complement the creamy mozzarella and bread.
- → What is the purpose of the vanilla bean seeds?
The vanilla seeds provide a subtle aromatic note that elevates the overall flavor without overpowering the savory components.
- → How should this platter be served for best texture?
Serve immediately to maintain crispness, or refrigerate for up to 1 hour before serving to keep ingredients fresh.
- → Are there recommended beverage pairings?
A dry sparkling wine or a crisp Sauvignon Blanc pairs beautifully, complementing the contrasting flavors and textures.