Crimson & Gold Gala Platter (Printable)

Vibrant platter contrasting deep reds and golds with roasted peppers, cheeses, and fresh fruits for a stunning start.

# 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 - ½ cup dried cranberries
04 - ½ cup red grapes, halved
05 - ¼ 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 - ¼ cup golden raisins
10 - ½ 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

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Place whole yellow bell peppers on a baking sheet and roast for 10 to 12 minutes, turning occasionally until skins are charred and blistered. Transfer to a bowl, cover tightly, and let steam for 5 minutes. Peel skins, discard seeds, slice into strips. Drizzle with olive oil and season with black pepper; set aside to cool.
02 - If using, gently apply edible gold leaf to crackers according to package instructions.
03 - On a large serving platter or board, arrange cherries, wine-soaked cheese slices, dried cranberries, halved red grapes, and pomegranate seeds in a compact block on one side.
04 - Opposite the crimson block, create a contrasting cluster with roasted yellow pepper strips, cubed aged cheddar or gouda, gold leaf crackers, golden raisins, and halved yellow cherry tomatoes.
05 - Decorate the platter with fresh basil or microgreens for brightness and color contrast.
06 - Present immediately, inviting guests to combine flavors and colors as desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It's effortlessly elegant without requiring any real cooking skill—mostly assembly, which means you can pull it together while chatting with friends.
  • The color contrast is so striking that it becomes the conversation starter before anyone even tastes it.
  • Each bite surprises you with unexpected flavor combinations when guests naturally mix the reds and golds together.
02 -
  • Don't skip the steaming step for your roasted peppers—it makes peeling them so much easier and less frustrating. A covered bowl for just 5 minutes does wonders.
  • Taste your wine-soaked cheese before you buy it if possible. Some versions are more wine-forward than others, and you want one that feels special to you, not just gimmicky.
03 -
  • Arrange this platter no more than 30 minutes before serving. Fruits can start to weep, and cheeses taste best when they're closer to room temperature, which they'll reach naturally while guests are admiring the presentation.
  • The secret to making this feel luxurious on a budget is choosing just a few really good ingredients rather than many mediocre ones. One excellent wine-soaked cheese beats three forgettable ones every time.
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