Pomegranate Jewel Cascade Board (Print)

An artful cascade of cheeses, fruits, nuts, and pomegranate seeds creating a vibrant centerpiece.

# Ingredients:

→ Cheeses

01 - 5 oz brie cheese, chilled
02 - 5 oz manchego cheese, chilled
03 - 3.5 oz blue cheese, chilled
04 - 3.5 oz goat cheese log, chilled

→ Charcuterie

05 - 5 oz sliced prosciutto
06 - 5 oz sliced salami

→ Fruits

07 - 1 large pomegranate
08 - 1 cup red grapes, washed, stems removed
09 - 1 cup strawberries, hulled and halved
10 - ½ cup dried apricots
11 - ½ cup dried figs, halved

→ Nuts & Crunch

12 - ½ cup roasted almonds
13 - ½ cup shelled pistachios
14 - ½ cup candied pecans

→ Crackers & Bread

15 - 1 cup assorted crackers (approx. 20 pieces)
16 - ½ baguette, thinly sliced and toasted

→ Condiments

17 - ¼ cup honey, in a small dish
18 - ¼ cup fig jam, in a small dish

→ Garnish

19 - Fresh mint leaves, for decoration

# Instructions:

01 - Select a large rectangular or oval board or platter at least 18 x 12 inches. Line with parchment or wax paper if desired. Arrange all tools and ingredients within easy reach to maintain efficiency and cleanliness.
02 - Cut brie and manchego into thin wedges. Chop blue cheese into rustic chunks. Slice goat cheese log into coins. Allow cheeses to rest at room temperature for 30 to 40 minutes to bring out optimal texture and flavor.
03 - Halve the pomegranate and tap seeds into a bowl, removing pith. Wash, dry, and halve strawberries. Remove any bruises. Separate red grapes into small clusters. Halve dried figs for bite-sized pieces.
04 - Visualize a diagonal line across the board. Place ramekins with honey and fig jam slightly off-center along this line. Alternate clusters of cheeses and charcuterie along the cascade, balancing colors and textures for visual appeal.
05 - Nestle grapes, strawberries, dried figs, and apricots among cheeses and meats following the diagonal. Scatter roasted almonds, pistachios, and candied pecans to fill gaps, creating a lively, layered appearance.
06 - Arrange assorted crackers and toasted baguette slices fanning out at both ends of the cascade. Keep bread and crackers separate from moist items to maintain crispness.
07 - Heavily sprinkle pomegranate seeds over the cascade, clustering them jewel-like along the diagonal. Tuck fresh mint leaves throughout for color and aromatic lift.
08 - Inspect the board for balanced color and distribution. Wipe edges clean of spills. The arrangement should entice with harmonious flow, vibrant hues, and textural variety.

# Pro Tips:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours in the kitchen when it actually takes just 35 minutes, which is the sweet spot between effort and impact.
  • You get to taste savory, sweet, creamy, and crunchy all in one bite—it's like a flavor adventure on every plate.
  • Everyone finds something they love, whether they're a cheese devotee, a nut enthusiast, or someone who goes straight for the pomegranate seeds.
02 -
  • Cold cheese tastes flat and boring. Room temperature cheese is where all the flavor lives. This one lesson changed every board I ever made.
  • Pomegranate pith is bitter and will ruin your elegant board if you don't remove it carefully. Take your time with this step—it matters.
  • Soggy crackers are a tragedy waiting to happen. Keep them at the edges, away from moist ingredients, and add them last if you're assembling ahead. Your guests deserve crispy vehicles for their cheese.
03 -
  • For extra shine and elegance, very lightly brush some pomegranate seeds with a tiny bit of honey or neutral oil just before scattering them. They'll glisten like actual jewels under the light.
  • If anyone at your gathering has nut allergies, keep a nut-free section of your board or have a separate small board available. Safety and inclusion always come first.
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