Cobblestone Courtyard Platter (Printable)

An elegant platter featuring round crackers and assorted olives arranged for visual appeal.

# Components:

→ Crackers

01 - 36 to 40 round crackers (water crackers, multigrain, or rice crackers)

→ Olives

02 - 1 cup assorted pitted olives (Castelvetrano, Kalamata, black)

→ Garnishes (optional)

03 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (parsley, thyme, or rosemary)
04 - ¼ cup crumbled feta or goat cheese
05 - 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

# Directions:

01 - Select a large serving platter or charcuterie board to serve as the base.
02 - Place round crackers closely together in a random overlapping pattern, mimicking cobblestones.
03 - Nestle assorted pitted olives into the spaces between crackers to simulate mortar and add visual contrast.
04 - Sprinkle chopped fresh herbs and crumbled cheese over the top if desired.
05 - Lightly drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the assembled platter for flavor and shine.
06 - Present immediately for an interactive, edible centerpiece.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It takes ten minutes and somehow feels like you've been cooking all afternoon.
  • Everyone leans in closer because it genuinely looks like edible art, and suddenly appetizers become the most interesting thing on the table.
  • You can prep it while guests arrive without ever turning on a stove.
02 -
  • Pit your olives before assembly—a guest trying to spit out a pit mid-appetizer will remember your platter for all the wrong reasons.
  • Vary the size and color of both crackers and olives; uniformity looks staged, while variety looks like you discovered this on a European street corner.
03 -
  • Mix two or three types of crackers in different colors and textures—the visual complexity makes the whole thing feel more intentional and restaurant-quality.
  • If you're worried about olives rolling, pat them dry with a paper towel before tucking them in; this also helps them stay put and lets them catch the light better.
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