Victorian Cameo Elegant Appetizer (Printable)

Creamy cheese ovals topped with bold olive tapenade, garnished with fresh herbs and olive oil drizzle.

# Ingredient list:

→ Cheese

01 - 7 oz fresh goat cheese (chèvre) or cream cheese

→ Tapenade

02 - 3 oz black olive tapenade (store-bought or homemade)

→ Garnish & Base

03 - 4 slices rustic baguette or gluten-free crackers (optional)
04 - Fresh herbs, finely chopped (thyme or chives)
05 - Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling

# How-to:

01 - Scoop or form the cheese into four thick oval medallions, approximately 0.8 inch thick each. Arrange each on a serving plate or atop a bread slice or cracker if using.
02 - Using the back of a spoon or a small spatula, gently spread a thin layer of black olive tapenade onto each cheese oval to create a cameo effect. Optionally, use a stencil or freehand a decorative profile.
03 - Drizzle a small amount of extra virgin olive oil around each piece and sprinkle with finely chopped fresh herbs.
04 - Serve immediately accompanied by extra bread or crackers if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks twice as complicated as it actually is, making you seem effortlessly sophisticated without stress.
  • Comes together in minutes with pantry staples, so you can entertain without losing hours to prep.
  • The combination of creamy cheese and salty olive richness hits every note your guests will remember.
02 -
  • The cheese will soften if it sits at room temperature for more than a few minutes, so shape it close to serving time or keep it cool until the last moment.
  • Homemade tapenade, made by blending 100 g pitted black olives with one small garlic clove, a teaspoon of capers, a teaspoon of lemon juice, and a tablespoon of olive oil, tastes significantly better than you'd expect and changes how the dish feels.
03 -
  • If your tapenade is particularly loose or oily, drain it briefly on a paper towel before spreading it; this keeps the cheese from sliding around on the plate.
  • A small offset spatula or even a clean butter knife works better than a spoon for creating clean lines and deliberate patterns that make the cameo effect unmistakable.
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