Crimson & Gold Gala (Printable Version)

A colorful appetizer featuring cherries, wine cheese, roasted peppers, and gold-topped crackers.

# What You Need:

→ 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 - 12–16 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, for crackers)
12 - Fresh basil or microgreens
13 - 1 tbsp olive oil (for roasted peppers)
14 - Freshly ground black pepper

# How To Make:

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

# Cooking Tips:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent all day arranging it, but comes together in under 30 minutes—the secret weapon for last-minute entertaining.
  • The color blocking creates such drama and sophistication that guests immediately feel the occasion is special, even for casual gatherings.
  • It naturally accommodates different tastes: wine lovers gravitate toward the wine-soaked cheeses, fruit enthusiasts pile their plates with cherries and pomegranate, and the crackers give everyone something to anchor their bites.
02 -
  • Roast the peppers all the way until the skin is almost entirely charred and blistered—this caramelizes the sugars and gives them a depth that raw peppers simply cannot match. Underdone peppers will taste thin and ordinary.
  • Arrange your board no more than 30 minutes before serving. Cheese begins to weep and crackers start to soften once they meet humidity and the warmth of other elements. A board made two hours in advance looks tired by the time guests arrive.
03 -
  • If you can't find edible gold leaf or it feels intimidating, a light dusting of turmeric over the crackers creates an almost identical visual effect and actually adds a subtle, earthy warmth to the bite.
  • Arrange your board on a surface that's slightly elevated or tilted toward the viewer—this isn't just about presentation, it actually makes it easier for guests to reach everything without leaning awkwardly.
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