Crimson Gold Gala Platter (Printable View)

Vivid platter combining deep reds and bright golds for a visually stunning and flavorful appetizer.

# Ingredient List:

→ Deep Reds

01 - 1 cup fresh sweet cherries, pitted
02 - 4 oz wine-soaked cheese (e.g., Drunken Goat or Merlot BellaVitano), sliced
03 - 1/2 cup dried cranberries
04 - 1/2 cup red grapes, halved
05 - 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds

→ Bright Golds

06 - 2 large yellow bell peppers, roasted, peeled, and sliced
07 - 4 oz aged cheddar or gouda, cubed
08 - 12 to 16 gold leaf–topped crackers or plain water crackers
09 - 1/4 cup golden raisins
10 - 1/2 cup yellow cherry tomatoes, halved

→ Garnish & Extras

11 - Edible gold leaf sheets (optional, for crackers)
12 - Fresh basil or microgreens
13 - 1 tbsp olive oil (for roasted peppers)
14 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# How to Make:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Place whole yellow bell peppers on a baking sheet and roast for 10 to 12 minutes, turning occasionally until skins are charred and blistered. Transfer to a bowl, cover, and let steam for 5 minutes. Peel off skins, remove seeds, and slice into strips. Drizzle with olive oil and season with freshly ground black pepper. Let cool.
02 - If desired, carefully apply edible gold leaf to crackers according to package instructions.
03 - On a large serving platter or board, arrange cherries, wine-soaked cheese, dried cranberries, red grapes, and pomegranate seeds tightly on one side to form a crimson block.
04 - On the opposite side, arrange roasted yellow peppers, cubed aged cheddar or gouda, gold leaf–topped crackers, golden raisins, and halved yellow cherry tomatoes in a tight cluster.
05 - Garnish the board with fresh basil or microgreens for contrast and freshness. Serve immediately, inviting guests to mix and match flavors and colors.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It's a showstopper that takes 35 minutes but looks like you spent hours designing it—your guests will be genuinely impressed
  • Every bite is a flavor surprise with wine-soaked cheese meeting juicy cherries, roasted pepper sweetness playing against crispy gold leaf crackers
  • It's naturally vegetarian and actually gets easier the more you make it, because you start understanding which elements sing together
02 -
  • The roasting step for peppers is non-negotiable. Raw peppers will make your platter taste thin and one-dimensional; roasted peppers add depth and sophistication that transforms the entire experience.
  • Arrange with density and intention. A sparse board looks unfinished; a densely packed one reads as abundant and luxurious. Every gap should be a choice, not an accident.
03 -
  • Cut or prepare everything before you start arranging—once you begin, you want to move with intention and not stop to chop things, breaking your creative flow
  • If the platter sits for longer than 30 minutes before serving, cover it loosely with plastic wrap to prevent the fresh elements from drying out, then unwrap just before people arrive
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