Yin Yang Cheese Board (Printable Version)

A visually balanced board featuring paired cheeses, fruits, and nuts with fresh blackberries dividing sides.

# Needed Ingredients:

→ Dividing Line

01 - 5.3 oz fresh blackberries

→ Light Side

02 - 3.5 oz goat cheese (chèvre), sliced
03 - 3.5 oz young Manchego or white cheddar, cubed
04 - 1 small pear, thinly sliced
05 - 1.8 oz white grapes
06 - 1.1 oz raw almonds
07 - 1.1 oz rice crackers or light-colored crackers

→ Dark Side

08 - 3.5 oz aged blue cheese, sliced
09 - 3.5 oz aged Gouda or sharp cheddar, cubed
10 - 1 small black plum, thinly sliced
11 - 1.8 oz red or black grapes
12 - 1.1 oz roasted hazelnuts
13 - 1.1 oz dark rye crisps or seeded crackers

→ Garnishes

14 - Fresh mint leaves
15 - Edible flowers (optional)

# Preparation Steps:

01 - Place a large, round serving board on your work surface.
02 - Arrange blackberries in a curved line across the center of the board to mimic the yin-yang divide.
03 - On one side of the blackberry line, neatly arrange goat cheese, Manchego or white cheddar, pear slices, white grapes, almonds, and light-colored crackers.
04 - On the opposite side, arrange aged blue cheese, Gouda or sharp cheddar, plum slices, red or black grapes, hazelnuts, and dark rye crisps or seeded crackers.
05 - Decorate with fresh mint leaves and edible flowers for contrast and freshness.
06 - Present immediately for guests to enjoy the harmonious balance of flavors and colors.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours on it, but you'll actually finish in twenty minutes.
  • Every guest finds something they love because you're offering opposite flavors and textures on each side.
  • It's the kind of thing that makes people take photos and talk about it, which honestly feels better than dessert sometimes.
02 -
  • Temperature matters more than you'd think—cheeses taste better when they've sat out for fifteen minutes, and cold cheese tastes almost mean in comparison.
  • The blackberry line will weep slightly into the board over time, which is actually beautiful, but it means assembling this no more than an hour before serving keeps it pristine.
03 -
  • Chill your board for thirty minutes before assembling if your kitchen is warm—cold surfaces keep cheeses from sweating and looking sad.
  • Slice everything just before arranging so nothing has time to oxidize or dry out, and your pear stays bright white instead of that tired brown.
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