Elegant Gilded Edge Board (Printable Version)

Premium cheeses, meats, and fruits artistically arranged on a board’s perimeter with elegant flair and festive appeal.

# Ingredient List:

→ Cheeses

01 - 4.2 oz triple-cream Brie, cut into slim wedges
02 - 4.2 oz aged Manchego, sliced
03 - 3.5 oz blue cheese, crumbled or sliced
04 - 3.5 oz goat cheese, formed into small rounds

→ Charcuterie

05 - 3.5 oz prosciutto, folded into ribbons
06 - 4.2 oz thinly sliced salami
07 - 3.5 oz coppa or bresaola

→ Fresh Fruit

08 - 1 small bunch red grapes
09 - 1 small bunch green grapes
10 - 1 ripe pear, thinly sliced
11 - 1 crisp apple, thinly sliced
12 - 1 small handful dried apricots

→ Accompaniments

13 - 1/4 cup Marcona almonds
14 - 1/4 cup salted pistachios
15 - 1/4 cup Castelvetrano olives
16 - 1/4 cup cornichons
17 - 1/4 cup fig jam or quince paste
18 - Honeycomb or drizzle of honey

→ Crackers & Bread

19 - 1 baguette, thinly sliced and lightly toasted
20 - 1 box assorted crackers

# Directions:

01 - Select an elegant, large round or oval board with a prominent rim.
02 - Arrange all cheeses, charcuterie, fruits, accompaniments, and crackers exclusively along the outer perimeter of the board, carefully following its shape.
03 - Leave the entire center section empty to highlight the board’s form and create a striking presentation.
04 - Alternate colors and textures for visual appeal, nestling items closely together along the edge.
05 - Place ramekins or small bowls for jam, honey, and olives as part of the perimeter.
06 - Serve immediately with cheese knives and tongs.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours preparing, but it's ready in just 25 minutes—your secret's safe with me
  • Every guest feels like they're being treated to something special without any pretense or fuss
  • The dramatic empty center of the board becomes a conversation starter, and people genuinely marvel at how simple elegance can be
02 -
  • The empty center isn't lazy—it's the entire point. It forces your eye to follow the rim, and it tells guests that this isn't about abundance, it's about intention and design
  • Room temperature is non-negotiable. Cold cheese is tight and won't give up its flavor; take your board out of the fridge 20 minutes before serving and watch how much more generous the flavors become
  • Quality matters here because there's nowhere to hide. One mediocre ingredient disrupts the entire presentation. Taste before you buy, and don't compromise
03 -
  • Keep everything slightly overlapping along the rim rather than spaced apart—crowded and intentional reads as elegant; spread out and sparse reads as incomplete
  • The jam or honey should sit in its own small bowl rather than spread on the board itself; it prevents colors from running together and lets guests control how much they use
  • If you're making this ahead, assemble everything except fruit, then add sliced apples, pears, and any delicate items in the last 10 minutes before serving
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