Polished Pebble Oval Cheeses (Print Version)

Whimsical appetizer featuring oval cheeses and roasted almonds in an artful, stream-bed-inspired arrangement.

# Components:

→ Cheeses

01 - 7 oz oval-shaped mini mozzarella balls
02 - 7 oz oval goat cheese medallions or similar soft cheese cut into ovals
03 - 5.3 oz babybel cheese, peeled and halved

→ Nuts

04 - 3.5 oz whole raw almonds

→ Garnishes

05 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
06 - 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt
07 - Small handful fresh basil leaves
08 - Microgreens or edible flowers (optional)

# Method:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spread almonds on a baking tray and roast for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring once, until golden and aromatic. Remove and let cool.
02 - Drain mozzarella balls and goat cheese medallions, then pat dry with paper towels to achieve a polished appearance.
03 - On a large serving platter or wooden board, arrange cheeses and roasted almonds in an organic, winding pattern resembling a stream-bed of pebbles, alternating cheese varieties and nuts for visual interest.
04 - Drizzle lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with flaky sea salt.
05 - Decorate with fresh basil leaves, microgreens, and edible flowers to evoke a natural, garden-inspired aesthetic.
06 - Present immediately with cocktail picks or small forks for easy serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like edible art but takes just 20 minutes, so you can spend your energy actually enjoying people instead of staying glued to the kitchen.
  • The contrast between creamy cheeses and toasty, crunchy almonds keeps every bite interesting and never feels heavy.
02 -
  • Moisture is the enemy of elegance here — I learned this the hard way when mozzarella balls released water onto my beautiful board and everything started sliding around like a traffic accident.
  • Room temperature cheese tastes better and looks creamier; take everything out of the fridge 30 minutes before serving so the flavors actually have a chance to sing instead of sitting there muted and cold.
03 -
  • Toast your almonds in a dry pan on the stovetop if you're short on oven space — you'll have more control and can watch them turn golden while your kitchen fills with that irresistible smell.
  • A wooden board absorbs some of the olive oil and gives the arrangement warmth that a ceramic platter can't quite match, so choose that if you have it.
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