Crimson Gold Gala Platter (Print Version)

Vibrant appetizer combining cherries, wine-soaked cheese, roasted peppers, and gold leaf crackers in bold color blocks.

# What You'll 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

# Cooking Steps:

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 char and blister. Transfer to a bowl, cover, and let steam for 5 minutes. Peel off 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 sheets to crackers following package instructions.
03 - Arrange cherries, wine-soaked cheese, dried cranberries, halved grapes, and pomegranate seeds in a tight cluster on one side of a large serving platter or board.
04 - Create a contrasting block on the opposite side featuring roasted yellow peppers, aged cheddar or gouda cubes, gold leaf–topped crackers, golden raisins, and halved yellow cherry tomatoes.
05 - Garnish the platter with fresh basil or microgreens for vibrant color and freshness. Serve immediately, encouraging guests to enjoy a mix of flavors and colors.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a showstopper that requires almost no cooking skill—just arrangement and intention, which means you can focus on hosting instead of stress
  • The contrast of sweet cherries and wine-soaked cheese against crispy peppers and aged cheddar creates this unexpected harmony that surprises every palate
  • It's naturally vegetarian, naturally elegant, and naturally forgiving—if you swap one ingredient for another, the colors still sing
02 -
  • Roasting peppers yourself rather than using jarred ones changes the entire texture and depth—jarred peppers are softer and more acidic, while roasted-fresh are silky and sweet, which matters when they're the star of the gold side
  • Wine-soaked cheese is non-negotiable for this recipe's concept; regular cheese will work, but it won't have that subtle wine undertone that makes people pause and ask what you did
  • Timing your roasted peppers so they're completely cool before arranging prevents them from weeping liquid onto the other ingredients and keeps everything picture-perfect
03 -
  • Arrange everything except basil and microgreens up to 2 hours ahead, cover loosely with plastic wrap, and add fresh herbs only moments before guests arrive—this keeps everything crisp while reducing last-minute stress
  • If you're nervous about gold leaf application, skip it entirely or use it purely as decoration on empty spaces rather than directly on crackers—the platter is stunning without it
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