Checkerboard Chalet Cheese Meats (Printable)

A playful cheese and cured meat chalet on a checkerboard base, ideal for elegant party platters.

# Ingredient list:

→ Cheeses

01 - 7 oz sharp cheddar cheese, cut into 0.6 in cubes and slices
02 - 7 oz Swiss cheese, cut into 0.6 in cubes and slices

→ Meats

03 - 7 oz smoked ham, cut into 0.6 in cubes and slices
04 - 7 oz salami, cut into 0.6 in cubes and slices

→ Garnishes & Extras

05 - 16 small fresh chives for logs or roof beams
06 - 8 cherry tomatoes, halved (optional for decoration)
07 - 1 small bunch flat-leaf parsley for greenery
08 - 8 toothpicks or short skewers for stability

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Cut all cheeses and meats into uniform 0.6 inch cubes and slices to achieve a precise checkerboard pattern.
02 - Arrange cheese slices (cheddar, Swiss) and meat slices (ham, salami) alternately on a large serving platter, forming a tight 4x4 grid.
03 - Build a chalet on one side of the base by stacking alternating cheese and meat cubes in layers of 4 cubes each, 3 to 4 layers high, securing layers with toothpicks or skewers as needed.
04 - Place cheese slices or cubes at an angle atop the chalet and secure them with chives positioned as beams.
05 - Decorate the chalet area with halved cherry tomatoes and parsley to simulate a garden, then serve immediately with small forks or cocktail picks.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a conversation starter that tastes as good as it looks, giving you an excuse to serve cheese and cured meats without feeling like you took shortcuts.
  • No cooking required, so you can prep it while people arrive and still feel completely in control.
  • The visual impact means guests remember it, and the best part is they think you spent way more time than the thirty minutes it actually takes.
02 -
  • Room temperature cheese is your friend—cold cheese straight from the fridge becomes brittle and won't stack cleanly, but one hour out lets it hold shape while still tasting fresh.
  • The checkerboard base must be tightly arranged or it reads as lazy; think of it as your canvas, and loose pieces pull the whole composition down visually.
03 -
  • Keep a damp paper towel nearby while you work so you can wipe your hands between handling different meats and cheeses—it prevents flavor transfer and keeps your checkerboard looking pristine.
  • If your cheese cubes are slipping, a tiny bead of soft goat cheese or cream cheese between layers acts as edible glue that nobody will notice but everyone will appreciate.
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