Polished Pebble Cheeses Almonds (Printable Version)

Smooth oval cheeses paired with roasted almonds create an elegant, playful appetizer arrangement.

# What You Need:

→ Cheeses

01 - 7 oz oval-shaped mini mozzarella balls
02 - 7 oz oval goat cheese medallions (or soft cheese cut into ovals)
03 - 5.3 oz babybel cheese, peeled and halved

→ Nuts

04 - 3.5 oz whole raw almonds

→ Garnishes

05 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
06 - 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt
07 - Small handful fresh basil leaves
08 - Microgreens or edible flowers (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread almonds evenly on a baking tray and roast for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring once, until golden and fragrant. Remove and allow to cool.
02 - Drain mozzarella balls and goat cheese medallions; pat dry with paper towels to achieve a polished appearance.
03 - On a large serving platter or wooden board, arrange cheeses and roasted almonds in an organic, flowing pattern resembling a streambed of pebbles, alternating types for visual appeal.
04 - Drizzle the arrangement lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with flaky sea salt.
05 - Decorate with fresh basil leaves, microgreens, and edible flowers to create a garden-inspired presentation.
06 - Present immediately with cocktail picks or small forks for ease of enjoyment.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks impossibly fancy but takes barely twenty minutes, letting you spend your energy on the moment instead of the kitchen.
  • The contrast between creamy cheeses and the satisfying crunch of roasted almonds hits that sweet spot where texture matters as much as flavor.
  • It's a conversation starter disguised as appetizer—people actually pause to appreciate the arrangement before diving in.
02 -
  • Moisture is the silent saboteur—any wet surface will catch light unevenly and look accidental instead of curated, so those paper towels aren't optional.
  • The arrangement matters more than perfection; a meandering pattern that looks effortless actually guides the eye better than military rows, so embrace the organic mess.
03 -
  • Room temperature cheese tastes better and looks silkier than cold cheese pulled straight from the fridge—pull it out fifteen minutes before serving and watch how the flavors open up.
  • A wooden board ages beautifully with use and feels warmer than marble or ceramic; if you use the same one repeatedly, it develops character and tells its own story.
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