Crimson Gold Gala Platter (Print Version)

Vivid red and golden ingredients arranged in tight blocks for striking color and taste contrast.

# Components:

→ 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 - 12-16 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 tablespoon olive oil (for roasted peppers)
14 - Freshly ground black pepper

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Place whole yellow bell peppers on a baking sheet and roast for 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until skins are charred and blistered. Transfer to a bowl, cover, and let steam for 5 minutes. Peel skins, remove seeds, slice into strips, drizzle with olive oil, and season with black pepper. Allow to cool.
02 - If using, carefully apply edible gold leaf to crackers following package instructions.
03 - On a large serving board or platter, arrange cherries, wine-soaked cheese, dried cranberries, red grapes, and pomegranate seeds tightly in a block on one side.
04 - Form a contrasting block on the opposite side with roasted yellow peppers, cubed aged cheese, gold leaf crackers, golden raisins, and halved yellow cherry tomatoes.
05 - Garnish entire presentation with fresh basil or microgreens for color contrast and a fresh aroma.
06 - Present immediately, encouraging guests to enjoy combining the vibrant flavors and textures.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a conversation starter that looks like you spent hours planning when it really takes just 35 minutes from start to table
  • The color blocking makes a humble cheese board feel like edible art, turning a simple appetizer into the centerpiece of your gathering
  • You get that satisfying mix of textures and flavors—creamy cheese, juicy fruit, crisp crackers, and charred peppers—all in one elegant bite
02 -
  • Roasting peppers yourself is the difference between a good platter and a memorable one—jarred peppers lose the subtle caramelized sweetness that makes this work
  • Arrange the colors tightly, not spread out—the visual impact comes from the density and contrast, not white space
  • Serve immediately after assembly; this is not a board that improves sitting around for an hour, so time your roasting and prep accordingly
03 -
  • Buy your cheese from a real cheese counter and ask them to slice the wine-soaked cheese thick enough to show the color—thin slices lose the visual drama
  • Yellow peppers roasted low and slow taste sweeter than those blasted at high heat, so resist the urge to turn up the temperature; patience makes the difference
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