Secret Garden Appetizer (Printable Version)

A vibrant appetizer with cubes of cheese nestled under colorful edible flowers and fresh microgreens, perfect for gatherings.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cheeses

01 - 3.5 oz aged cheddar, cubed
02 - 3.5 oz goat cheese, cubed
03 - 3.5 oz Gruyère, cubed

→ Greens & Flowers

04 - 2.6 oz microgreens (pea shoots, radish greens, or mixed micro herbs)
05 - 1 cup edible flowers (nasturtiums, pansies, violets, borage, calendula, etc.)

→ Garnish & Extras

06 - 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (optional, for drizzling)
07 - Flaky sea salt, to taste
08 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Steps:

01 - Place the cheese cubes evenly on a large serving board or platter, spacing each type distinctly.
02 - Scatter microgreens liberally over and around the cheese cubes to partially obscure them.
03 - Nestle edible flowers among the microgreens to craft a vibrant, garden-like display.
04 - Lightly drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the greens and flowers if desired.
05 - Sprinkle flaky sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
06 - Present immediately, inviting guests to discover cheese morsels hidden beneath foliage.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours on it, but honestly takes about twenty minutes from start to serving.
  • Your guests become active participants instead of passive eaters, turning an appetizer into an experience.
  • The cheese stays at room temperature and actually tastes better, while the edible flowers add zero calories but infinite elegance.
02 -
  • Only use flowers that are explicitly labeled edible and pesticide-free—never guess or improvise with flowers from a florist or garden center.
  • Cut your cheese cubes right before serving so they don't sweat or oxidize, which makes them look tired and ruins the visual impact you worked for.
03 -
  • Arrange everything on a board that's been at room temperature for at least an hour—cold surfaces make cheese taste muted and flowers wilt faster from the temperature shock.
  • Keep your edible flowers and microgreens in separate containers in the fridge until assembly, then work quickly so condensation doesn't make everything soggy and sad.
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