Polished Pebble Cheeses Almonds (Print Version)

An elegant appetizer of smooth oval cheeses paired with roasted almonds, styled to mimic polished pebbles.

# Components:

→ Cheeses

01 - 7 oz oval-shaped mini mozzarella balls
02 - 7 oz oval goat cheese medallions (or 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 tbsp olive oil
06 - 1 tsp flaky sea salt
07 - Small handful fresh basil leaves
08 - Microgreens or edible flowers (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread almonds on a baking tray and roast for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring once, until golden and fragrant. Allow to cool.
02 - Drain mozzarella balls and goat cheese medallions. Pat dry with paper towels to achieve a polished appearance.
03 - Place cheeses and roasted almonds on a large serving platter or wooden board, arranging them in an organic, meandering pattern to mimic a stream-bed of pebbles. Alternate cheese types and almonds for visual variety.
04 - Drizzle the arrangement lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with flaky sea salt evenly.
05 - Decorate with fresh basil leaves, microgreens, and edible flowers to evoke a natural, garden-inspired look.
06 - Present immediately with cocktail picks or small forks for ease of serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours designing it, but you'll have everything ready in fifteen minutes flat.
  • People eat with their eyes first, and this dish stops conversations mid-sentence.
  • There's no heat lamp anxiety or last-minute plating stress—it just gets more beautiful as people nibble around it.
02 -
  • Wet cheese looks sad—the paper towel step isn't optional if you want that polished, intentional appearance.
  • Room temperature matters more than you'd think; cheese straight from the fridge has a dull look, so arrange everything about thirty minutes before guests arrive.
  • Roast your almonds the same day—they lose their crunch and that toasted aroma if they sit around too long.
03 -
  • Arrange everything on a wooden board rather than a ceramic platter—something about the natural material makes the whole thing feel more intentional and collected.
  • If you're serving this at a party where it will sit for a while, keep the basil and microgreens separate and add them only as the board starts to look picked-over—they freshen up the entire arrangement.
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