Nutcracker Suite Board (Print)

A visually dazzling multi-tiered board featuring vibrant, color-organized sections with varied textures and flavors.

# Ingredients:

→ Red Section

01 - 1 cup hulled and halved strawberries
02 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes
03 - 1/2 cup pomegranate arils
04 - 8 ounces red pepper hummus, served in a bowl
05 - 1/2 cup dried cranberries
06 - 6 ounces sliced spicy soppressata
07 - 6 ounces red wax Gouda, cubed

→ Green Section

08 - 1 cup green grapes, halved
09 - 1 cup sugar snap peas
10 - 1/2 cup Castelvetrano olives, pitted
11 - 8 ounces pesto dip, in a small bowl
12 - 1/2 cup roasted pistachios, shelled
13 - 6 ounces sliced cucumber
14 - 6 ounces herbed goat cheese, sliced into coins

→ Gold/Yellow Section

15 - 1 cup golden cherry tomatoes
16 - 1 cup fresh pineapple, cubed
17 - 1/2 cup dried apricots
18 - 8 ounces honeycomb or honey drizzle
19 - 6 ounces smoked cheddar, cubed
20 - 1/2 cup Marcona almonds
21 - 6 ounces thin-sliced prosciutto

→ White Section

22 - 1 cup cauliflower florets
23 - 1 cup white cheddar cubes
24 - 1/2 cup yogurt-covered pretzels
25 - 8 ounces whipped ricotta, in a small bowl
26 - 1/2 cup macadamia nuts
27 - 1/2 cup white chocolate bark, broken into shards
28 - 6 ounces sliced turkey breast (optional)

→ Accompaniments

29 - 1 large baguette, sliced and toasted
30 - 1 box assorted crackers (neutral and seeded)
31 - 1 bunch fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, mint) for garnish
32 - Edible flowers (pansies, nasturtiums) for decoration

# Directions:

01 - Arrange pedestals and multi-tiered stands on a sturdy surface. Position the tallest pedestal centrally or at the rear, placing shorter stands in front to create a cascading effect. Cover surfaces with parchment or cheese paper for cleanliness.
02 - Divide the display into four zones: red, green, gold/yellow, and white. Place dips or spreads in small bowls to anchor each section distinctly.
03 - Position red pepper hummus in a bowl at the center of the red area. Arrange strawberries, cherry tomatoes, and pomegranate arils around it. Intermix slices of soppressata and red wax Gouda cubes. Fill spaces with dried cranberries and garnish with edible flowers.
04 - Place pesto dip in a decorative bowl. Arrange halved green grapes and sugar snap peas in arcs nearby. Position Castelvetrano olives and herbed goat cheese coins neatly. Sprinkle roasted pistachios and garnish with fresh mint sprigs.
05 - Set honeycomb or honey drizzle in a bowl as the focal point. Fan golden cherry tomatoes and pineapple cubes around it. Add smoked cheddar cubes and folded prosciutto slices. Incorporate dried apricots and Marcona almonds. Garnish with thyme sprigs.
06 - Anchor the section with whipped ricotta in a bowl. Cluster cauliflower florets and white cheddar cubes. Add yogurt-covered pretzels and white chocolate bark shards. Nestle macadamia nuts and optional turkey breast slices. Finish with rosemary sprigs and white edible flowers.
07 - Insert toasted baguette slices and crackers throughout the board for accessibility. Distribute fresh herbs and edible flowers to unify the presentation. Adjust height and placement for balanced symmetry.
08 - Present at room temperature for optimal flavor and texture. If not serving immediately, loosely cover and refrigerate for up to two hours. Ensure the display remains aromatic and visually captivating with varied textures.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It's a showstopper that looks like you spent all day preparing it, but the actual assembly is quite manageable—and so much fun to arrange.
  • Every guest finds something they love because you've included textures, flavors, and colors across the spectrum, from sweet to savory, crunchy to creamy.
  • The theatrical presentation transforms a simple appetizer board into a statement piece that people photograph and remember long after the party ends.
02 -
  • Keep meats and cheeses refrigerated until the last possible moment before assembly. They'll stay fresher, their colors will be more vibrant, and you'll avoid any food safety concerns. This is the one rule I learned the hard way after hosting a summer party.
  • Don't assemble the board more than 2 hours before serving. The fresh elements will begin to wilt, the nuts will soften slightly, and any moisture from cut fruits will weep into surrounding ingredients, muddying your carefully considered color zones.
  • Halve your grapes and tomatoes, even though it takes extra time. Whole grapes roll around and look accidental. Halved grapes stay put, show off their interior, and give you twice the visual presence on a board that demands impact.
  • Place your dips and spreads in individual bowls rather than directly on the board. This creates visual structure, prevents cross-contamination of flavors, and makes replenishment during the party infinitely easier.
03 -
  • If you're serving outdoors or in a warm space, place shallow ice packs or even small bowls of ice beneath your boards and pedestals to keep cheeses firm and fresh elements chilled without refrigeration showing.
  • Arrange the board in sections—red, then green, then gold, then white—working methodically rather than randomly. This prevents decision fatigue and ensures each color zone gets equal attention and intention.
  • Keep a small decorative pitcher of extra dip nearby during the party so you can refresh the bowls as guests enjoy them. This keeps the board looking abundant and fresh throughout the evening.
  • Rotate or reposition elements subtly during the party if guests have created obvious gaps. This keeps the board looking intentional and full, not depleted.
  • If any element wilts or softens slightly during serving, remove it and replace it with a fresh piece from your backup ingredients. Guests will never know, and your board will maintain its pristine appearance.
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