Candy Cane Zigzag Board (Printer View)

Bold red and white layers with cheeses, meats, grapes, and garnishes arranged in a candy cane shape.

# Components:

→ Cheeses

01 - 7 oz mozzarella cheese, sliced or bocconcini
02 - 3.5 oz goat cheese, sliced or crumbled (optional)

→ Meats

03 - 7 oz dry-cured salami, sliced
04 - 3.5 oz prosciutto, rolled (optional)

→ Accompaniments

05 - 3.5 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced into strips
07 - 1.75 oz pomegranate seeds (for garnish)
08 - 3.5 oz green or red grapes
09 - Fresh basil or rosemary sprigs (for garnish)

→ Crackers & Breads

10 - 5 oz assorted crackers or gluten-free crackers
11 - 1 small baguette, sliced (optional)

→ Dips & Spreads

12 - Small bowl of whole-grain mustard or honey
13 - Small bowl of cranberry chutney or fig jam

# Method:

01 - On a large rectangular or oval serving board, arrange the salami and mozzarella alternately in overlapping slices to form a bold, curving S-shape resembling a candy cane, starting at one corner and curving toward the center before arching to the opposite side.
02 - Fill the curve with additional cheese, such as goat cheese if using, and rolled prosciutto to enhance color and texture.
03 - Place halved cherry tomatoes and strips of red bell pepper alongside the red sections to introduce vibrant holiday colors.
04 - Distribute grapes, pomegranate seeds, and fresh herb sprigs around the board to add visual interest and freshness.
05 - Position assorted crackers and sliced baguette along the board’s edge or in a separate basket for accessibility.
06 - Place small bowls containing whole-grain mustard or honey and cranberry chutney or fig jam on the board or nearby for dipping.
07 - Tuck sprigs of basil or rosemary throughout the arrangement for a festive finishing touch and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a showstopper that requires zero cooking—just beautiful knife skills and a little creativity with arrangement
  • Guests always photograph it first, then eat it second, which means you've already won half the battle
  • You can prep it in about twenty minutes, which means more time to enjoy the party instead of being stuck in the kitchen
02 -
  • The difference between a board that impresses and one that falls flat is in the overlapping—each piece should partially cover the one before it, creating visual flow and depth rather than looking scattered and random
  • Room temperature is your friend; pull cheeses out of the fridge at least 15 minutes before serving so flavors are bright and textures are creamy, not cold and muted
  • Arrange your board no more than two hours before serving to keep everything fresh, and cover loosely with plastic wrap if you need to prep ahead
03 -
  • Slice your cheeses and meats just before assembling—they oxidize and dry out faster than you'd think, so timing is everything
  • If a piece of salami won't stay curved, briefly warm the underside over a candle flame or dip it in warm water for a second; it becomes pliable enough to position perfectly
  • Arrange from largest elements down to smallest details; this prevents you from accidentally disrupting your beautiful work when placing the final pomegranate seeds
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