Clockwork Orange Citrus Cheese (Printable Version)

Vibrant citrus slices arranged with creamy cheese hands on a platter for colorful party serving.

# What You Need:

→ Citrus

01 - 1 large orange
02 - 1 blood orange
03 - 1 grapefruit
04 - 2 clementines
05 - 1 lemon
06 - 1 lime

→ Cheese

07 - 5.3 oz firm goat cheese or manchego
08 - 3.5 oz aged cheddar or gouda

→ Garnishes

09 - 2 tablespoons honey
10 - 2 tablespoons chopped pistachios or walnuts (optional)
11 - Fresh mint leaves (optional)
12 - Crackers or crusty bread, to serve

# Steps:

01 - Cut all citrus fruits into thin, even rounds, removing seeds when necessary.
02 - Place the citrus rounds in a circular pattern on a large round platter, alternating colors and positioning one slice at each hour mark on the clock.
03 - Cut the cheeses into long, narrow strips. Shape two pieces to represent clock hands and position them at the center, pointing to your chosen time.
04 - Drizzle honey over the center of the arrangement and sprinkle with chopped pistachios or walnuts if desired.
05 - Decorate with fresh mint leaves to enhance color and aroma.
06 - Serve immediately alongside crackers or crusty bread.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks restaurant-quality but takes just twenty minutes to pull together, making you look like you actually know what you're doing.
  • Everyone eats with their eyes first, and this platter stops conversations before anyone takes a bite.
  • The mix of sweet citrus, salty cheese, and crunchy pistachios means there's something for every mood and palate.
02 -
  • Slice your citrus fruits not more than two hours before serving; they'll start to dry out and lose that fresh, dewy look that makes this whole thing work.
  • The cheese hands need to be sturdy enough to point without flopping, so cut thicker pieces than you think and test them before you commit to the arrangement.
03 -
  • A slightly damp cloth under your platter prevents it from sliding around on the table while you're arranging, and prevents it from moving when guests reach for slices.
  • If your cheese is too soft to cut into clean strips, chill it for thirty minutes and it becomes your best friend; if it's too hard, let it sit on the counter for ten minutes to soften just enough.
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