Pomegranate Jewel Cascade Board (Printable)

A colorful cascade of cheeses, meats, fruits, and nuts embellished with bright pomegranate seeds.

# What You Need:

→ Cheeses

01 - 3.5 oz creamy goat cheese, sliced
02 - 3.5 oz aged Manchego, sliced
03 - 3.5 oz blue cheese, crumbled

→ Cured Meats

04 - 2.8 oz prosciutto, thinly sliced
05 - 2.8 oz spicy salami, thinly sliced

→ Fresh Fruits

06 - 1 large pomegranate, arils only
07 - 1 small bunch red grapes, halved
08 - 1 ripe pear, thinly sliced
09 - 1 small apple, thinly sliced

→ Dried Fruits & Nuts

10 - 1.8 oz dried apricots, halved
11 - 1.4 oz dried figs, sliced
12 - 1.4 oz toasted pistachios
13 - 1.4 oz roasted almonds

→ Accompaniments

14 - 1 small piece honeycomb
15 - 1 small jar fig jam
16 - 1 crusty baguette, sliced
17 - 2.8 oz artisan crackers

→ Garnish

18 - Fresh mint leaves

# Directions:

01 - Position a large serving board or platter with a diagonal cascade running from the top left to the bottom right corner.
02 - Lay the sliced and crumbled cheeses along the diagonal, alternating types to enhance visual appeal.
03 - Fold and arrange the prosciutto and salami between cheese sections, allowing edges to overlap attractively.
04 - Intermingle slices of pear, apple, halved grapes, dried apricots, and dried figs along the cascade, maintaining the flowing line.
05 - Generously scatter pomegranate seeds over the entire diagonal, emphasizing clusters for a jewel-like appearance.
06 - Distribute toasted pistachios and roasted almonds evenly to introduce crunch.
07 - Place honeycomb and fig jam in small bowls at both ends of the cascade.
08 - Fan out baguette slices and artisan crackers alongside both edges of the display for easy serving.
09 - Decorate with fresh mint leaves for color and fragrance, then serve immediately at room temperature.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours in preparation, but honestly takes just 25 minutes and requires zero cooking
  • It's the kind of board that gets compliments before anyone even tastes it, making you look like a culinary artist
  • Everyone finds something they love—whether they're a cheese devotee, fruit lover, or charcuterie enthusiast
02 -
  • Slice your fresh fruits just 30 minutes before serving, not earlier. Pears and apples will oxidize and brown, and you'll lose that fresh, dewy appearance that makes the board sing.
  • The diagonal arrangement isn't just decoration—it actually guides the eye and makes the board feel intentional. I learned this the hard way after arranging a board randomly and having guests seem confused about where to start eating.
  • Room temperature is crucial. Take cheeses out of the refrigerator 20 minutes before serving. Cold cheese tastes muted and lacks the complexity that makes this board special.
03 -
  • Buy your cheese from a real cheese counter where they let you taste before buying—a knowledgeable cheesemonger is worth their weight in gold and will steer you toward pieces that are at their peak
  • The secret that changed everything for me was learning that the first thing people look at is color and light play, not taste. Make sure you have variation in color throughout—this is why the pomegranate arils are so essential. They catch light like nothing else and make the whole board glow
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