Pink Petal Watercolor Wash (Printable)

A vibrant pink and red layered appetizer platter ideal for spring and elegant brunch occasions.

# Ingredient list:

→ Charcuterie

01 - 3.5 oz prosciutto, thinly sliced and shaped into small roses
02 - 3.5 oz mortadella, thinly sliced

→ Vegetables

03 - 6 to 8 small pink radishes, thinly sliced
04 - 1 watermelon radish, thinly sliced
05 - 1 small cooked beet, thinly sliced

→ Cheeses

06 - 3.5 oz pink-hued cheese (e.g. port wine Derby, rosé goat cheese, or berry-washed rind cheese), sliced
07 - 3.5 oz Brie or Camembert, cut into wedges

→ Bread & Crackers

08 - 1 small baguette, sliced (or gluten-free crackers)
09 - 1 package rice crackers

→ Fruits

10 - 1 cup fresh strawberries, halved
11 - 1 cup raspberries

→ Garnish

12 - Edible rose petals or microgreens (optional)

# How-to:

01 - Arrange a large platter or board as your canvas.
02 - Roll or fold prosciutto slices into rose-like forms and place them in groups evenly across the platter.
03 - Layer thin mortadella slices in gentle folds beside the prosciutto roses.
04 - Scatter thinly sliced pink radish, watermelon radish, and cooked beet in slightly overlapping fanned layers to mimic watercolor brush strokes.
05 - Place pink-hued cheese slices and Brie or Camembert wedges in small clusters, blending colors visually with meats and vegetables.
06 - Arrange baguette slices and rice crackers in gentle curved lines along one edge or intersperse throughout the display.
07 - Add halved strawberries and raspberries in small piles to enhance the pink palette with sweetness.
08 - Finish with edible rose petals or microgreens for an elegant touch.
09 - Present immediately, allowing guests to enjoy a variety of flavors and textures.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like gallery-worthy art but takes only 20 minutes to create, which means you can actually spend time with your guests instead of being trapped in the kitchen
  • Every element is already delicious on its own, so there's zero stress about technique or cooking—you're just arranging flavors you already trust
  • The combination of creamy, salty, fresh, and sweet keeps people reaching back for more, each bite discovering something new
02 -
  • Assemble this no more than an hour before serving—the beet can stain other ingredients if they sit together too long, and bread begins to absorb moisture and soften. You want everything crisp and vibrant when people reach for it.
  • Room temperature is non-negotiable for this platter. Cold cheese becomes firm and less luxurious, and cold meats lose their subtle flavors. Pull everything from the fridge 30 minutes before you arrange it.
03 -
  • Invest in a sharp knife or mandoline for the vegetables—thin, uniform slices are what create that watercolor effect. Thick slices look heavy; thin slices look intentional and artistic.
  • Taste every component before assembly, and trust your instincts about what brings you joy. The best version of this platter is the one that reflects your preferences, not mine.
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