Pomegranate Jewel Cascade Board (Printable version)

A vibrant platter featuring creamy cheeses, fresh fruits, and crunchy nuts accented by glossy pomegranate seeds.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Cheeses

01 - 3.5 oz creamy goat cheese, sliced
02 - 3.5 oz aged Manchego, sliced
03 - 3.5 oz blue cheese, crumbled

→ Cured Meats

04 - 2.8 oz prosciutto, thinly sliced
05 - 2.8 oz spicy salami, thinly sliced

→ Fresh Fruits

06 - 1 large pomegranate, arils only
07 - 1 small bunch red grapes, halved
08 - 1 ripe pear, thinly sliced
09 - 1 small apple, thinly sliced

→ Dried Fruits & Nuts

10 - 1.75 oz dried apricots, halved
11 - 1.4 oz dried figs, sliced
12 - 1.4 oz toasted pistachios
13 - 1.4 oz roasted almonds

→ Accompaniments

14 - 1 small piece honeycomb
15 - 1 small jar fig jam
16 - 1 crusty baguette, sliced
17 - 2.8 oz artisan crackers

→ Garnish

18 - Fresh mint leaves

# Directions:

01 - Visualize a diagonal cascade from the top left to the bottom right corner on a large serving board or platter.
02 - Place the sliced and crumbled cheeses alternately along the diagonal for visual variety.
03 - Fold cured meats gently and arrange them between cheese sections, allowing edges to overlap attractively.
04 - Intermingle fresh pear and apple slices, grape halves, and dried fruits along the diagonal cascade maintaining the flowing line.
05 - Generously sprinkle pomegranate seeds over the entire cascade, focusing on creating clusters for a jewel-like effect.
06 - Tuck toasted pistachios and roasted almonds throughout the cascade for added crunch.
07 - Position honeycomb and fig jam in small bowls at either end of the diagonal arrangement.
08 - Fan out baguette slices and artisan crackers along both sides of the board for easy serving.
09 - Finish with fresh mint leaves for color and aroma. Serve immediately at room temperature.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours in the kitchen when you've really just spent 25 minutes arranging beautiful ingredients—that's the kind of confidence boost we all need
  • The pomegranate arils add a burst of tart sweetness that plays beautifully against creamy cheeses and salty cured meats, creating flavor combinations that surprise and delight
  • It's endlessly flexible; you can swap cheeses or fruits based on what you find at the market, making it feel fresh and seasonal every single time
02 -
  • Temperature matters more than you'd think—assemble your board no more than 2 hours before serving, and keep it at room temperature. Cold cheese is dense and loses its creaminess; warm cheese loses its structure. Room temperature is the sweet spot where everything sings.
  • Pomegranate arils oxidize and lose their jewel-like quality if you add them too early. They're the last thing to go on, added just before guests arrive or no more than 30 minutes before serving. This single choice is what keeps your board looking luminous and fresh.
03 -
  • Keep pomegranate arils on hand for moments when you want to elevate any board or dessert—they're visual magic and practical flavor enhancement in one.
  • Arrange your board on something larger than you think you'll need. White or neutral-toned surfaces make colors pop; busy patterns compete with your gorgeous ingredients.
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