Festive Masquerade Mask Platter (Printable Version)

Vibrant platter arranged like a masquerade mask with fresh vegetables, cheese, nuts, and fruits for parties.

# Needed Ingredients:

→ Base & Eye Openings

01 - 2 large green or black olives, pitted
02 - 2 small firm cheese cubes (cheddar or gouda)

→ Vegetables & Fruits

03 - 1 cup cucumber slices, thinly sliced
04 - 1 cup assorted bell pepper strips (red, yellow, orange)
05 - ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - ½ cup red radish slices
07 - ½ cup baby carrots, halved lengthwise
08 - ½ cup seedless grapes (red or green)

→ Cheeses & Accompaniments

09 - 1 cup assorted cheese cubes (cheddar, gouda, Swiss)
10 - ½ cup mini mozzarella balls
11 - ½ cup mixed nuts (walnuts, almonds, or pistachios)
12 - ¼ cup dried fruits (apricots, cranberries, or figs)
13 - ½ cup crackers or breadsticks (optional)

→ Garnishes

14 - Fresh herbs (parsley, basil, dill)
15 - Edible flowers (optional)

# Preparation Steps:

01 - Select a large oval or rectangular serving board as the foundation.
02 - Arrange two olives or cheese cubes near the top center, spaced horizontally to represent eyes.
03 - Fan vegetable slices, bell pepper strips, and fruits above and around the eyes in wide symmetrical arcs resembling ornate feathers.
04 - Nestle assorted cheese cubes and mozzarella balls among the vegetables and fruits to add texture and color.
05 - Fill remaining gaps with mixed nuts and dried fruits for additional flavor and visual interest.
06 - Optionally, arrange crackers or breadsticks along the lower edges or sides of the board.
07 - Decorate with fresh herbs and edible flowers to enhance presentation.
08 - Present immediately for optimal freshness and effect.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks absolutely showstopping but takes only 20 minutes—your guests will think you spent hours
  • Every ingredient is raw and fresh, so you can prep it hours ahead and let it chill
  • It's endlessly flexible; use whatever vegetables and cheeses speak to you and your table
  • The arrangement itself becomes the conversation starter, turning a simple appetizer into edible art
02 -
  • Pat every ingredient dry before arranging. Moisture is the enemy of presentation and will make everything look tired by the time guests arrive.
  • Assemble no more than 2 hours before serving if you're not keeping things chilled. The longer it sits at room temperature, the more the vegetables begin to wilt and lose their crisp beauty.
  • Symmetry is your friend. When in doubt, mirror what you've done on one side of the board on the other side. It doesn't have to be perfect, but the intention creates harmony.
03 -
  • Use a dark board as your base—it makes every color sing and photographs beautifully, which your guests will definitely want to capture
  • Slightly chill your vegetables before arranging them. They'll stay crisper longer and feel refreshing to eat
  • The 'eyes' are everything—if those olives or cheese cubes feel off-balance or poorly spaced, the whole mask falls apart visually. Get those right first, and everything else follows
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