Layered Urban Skyline Appetizer (Print)

Crisp crackers layered with sharp cheddar, gouda, salami, and prosciutto for a dramatic urban presentation.

# Ingredients:

→ Crackers

01 - 18 rectangular whole grain crackers

→ Cheeses

02 - 5.3 oz sharp cheddar, cut into 0.8 inch cubes
03 - 5.3 oz gouda, cut into 0.8 inch cubes

→ Meats

04 - 3.5 oz salami slices
05 - 3.5 oz prosciutto slices

→ Garnishes

06 - 12 fresh chives, cut to various lengths
07 - 2 tbsp pomegranate seeds (optional)

# Instructions:

01 - Place the crackers vertically on a large flat serving platter, spacing them unevenly to resemble a city skyline.
02 - Layer the cheddar and gouda cubes atop the crackers at varying heights, alternating for contrast.
03 - Fold salami and prosciutto slices into loose ribbons or rosettes and insert them between and on top of the cheese stacks to enhance the skyline effect.
04 - Place fresh chives upright among the stacks to mimic antennae and spires.
05 - Sprinkle pomegranate seeds over the assembly for visual pops of color, if desired.
06 - Present immediately, encouraging guests to pull apart sections for sharing.

# Pro Tips:

01 -
  • It looks like it took hours but comes together in 20 minutes, making you look like a culinary genius without the stress
  • Every layer tastes different, from salty prosciutto to sharp cheddar to that satisfying cracker crunch, so no two bites are the same
  • It's the kind of thing that stops conversations at parties because people actually want to photograph their food before eating it
02 -
  • Cut your cheese cubes exactly 2 cm or they'll tumble like badly engineered skyscrapers. I learned this when my towers started collapsing thirty minutes before guests arrived.
  • Assemble this within 30 minutes of serving if possible. The crackers will start absorbing moisture and lose their ability to stand tall and proud, and that's the whole point of the presentation.
03 -
  • Chill your serving platter in the freezer for 10 minutes before assembly so the cheese doesn't start sweating under the warmth of the room and your hands.
  • If you're assembling more than two hours ahead, cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate, then uncover 20 minutes before serving so the flavors can wake up and the crackers stay crisp.
Back