Roman Colosseum Snack Platter (Print)

Crisp crackers circle mixed olives centerpiece, garnished with parsley and optional cheese or tomatoes.

# Components:

→ Crackers

01 - 3.5 to 4.25 ounces (40 to 50 pieces) round or oval crackers

→ Gladiators

02 - 1 cup (150 grams) mixed pitted olives, green and black

→ Garnishes

03 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
04 - 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

→ Accompaniments

05 - 1.75 ounces cubed cheese such as aged provolone or mozzarella
06 - 1.75 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved

# Directions:

01 - Select a large, round serving platter or board to serve as the Colosseum base.
02 - Place crackers upright or slightly overlapping in concentric circles around the platter edge, creating two to three layers to mimic tiered seating.
03 - Form a mound of mixed olives at the center of the platter to represent gladiators in the arena.
04 - Distribute cubed cheese and halved cherry tomatoes around the olives for added color and flavor if desired.
05 - Sprinkle finely chopped parsley over the olives and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil.
06 - Present immediately as an interactive, visually striking centerpiece for your gathering.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours in the kitchen when really you invested fifteen minutes and a creative eye.
  • Everyone can customize their bite by choosing their own cracker-to-olive ratio like they're building something personal.
  • It sparks conversation and becomes the centerpiece that people actually want to photograph.
  • No cooking required means your hands stay clean and your kitchen stays cool on warm days.
02 -
  • Pitted olives are non-negotiable unless you enjoy watching guests awkwardly spit pits into napkins mid-conversation.
  • If your crackers start going soft, the whole aesthetic falls apart—so assemble this as close to serving time as possible, ideally within ten minutes of presentation.
03 -
  • Arrange your crackers the night before and store them in an airtight container, then assemble the full platter just before serving—the crackers stay crisp and you avoid last-minute stress.
  • If your olives are very briny, drain them well and pat dry with paper towels so they don't weep liquid onto your crackers and turn them soggy.
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