Crimson & Gold Gala (Print)

A colorful starter with cherries, roasted peppers, wine-soaked cheese, and golden crackers in contrasting blocks.

# 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 to 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)
12 - Fresh basil or microgreens
13 - 1 tablespoon olive oil (for roasted peppers)
14 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 425°F. Place whole yellow bell peppers on a baking sheet and roast for 10 to 12 minutes, turning occasionally, until skins are charred and blistered. Transfer to a bowl, cover, and steam for 5 minutes. Peel skins, remove seeds, and slice into strips. Drizzle with olive oil and season with black pepper. Let cool.
02 - If using, carefully apply edible gold leaf to crackers according to package instructions.
03 - On a large serving platter, arrange cherries, wine-soaked cheese, dried cranberries, halved grapes, and pomegranate seeds in a tight block on one side.
04 - Create a contrasting block opposite the reds with roasted yellow peppers, cheddar or gouda cubes, gold leaf crackers, golden raisins, and halved yellow cherry tomatoes.
05 - Garnish with fresh basil or microgreens to enhance color contrast and freshness. Serve immediately, inviting guests to mix flavors and colors.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a conversation starter that requires almost no cooking skills, just an eye for beauty and balance
  • The high-contrast arrangement means your platter photographs beautifully, even on a phone
  • Wine-soaked cheeses paired with fresh fruit create flavor moments that linger long after the party ends
  • You can prep everything ahead and assemble just before guests arrive, which feels like a magic trick
02 -
  • The roasted peppers must cool completely before assembly or their steam will wilt everything around them and blur your beautiful color blocks
  • Room temperature cheese tastes infinitely better than cold cheese. Take it out of the refrigerator 20 minutes before serving and the flavors will open up
  • If you're worried about pomegranate seeds staining your board, you can add them literally minutes before serving. They're worth the small inconvenience
  • Edible gold leaf isn't just decoration—it signals to your guests that this moment matters. Even if it's just Tuesday night
03 -
  • If edible gold leaf feels intimidating or unavailable, a pinch of turmeric or a few saffron threads scattered over the gold section gives you the same warm glow without the delicacy
  • For a vegan version, plant-based aged cheeses now exist in enough variety to hold their own against this arrangement. Choose ones with depth and character, not just mild substitutes
  • A light drizzle of honey over the gold section moments before serving transforms good into unforgettable—the sweetness catches against the roasted pepper and aged cheese in ways that feel planned and generous
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