The Tartan Plaid Appetizer (Printer-friendly)

Savory jerky and creamy cheeses woven into a colorful tartan pattern, perfect for sharing and snacking.

# What You Need:

→ Jerky

01 - 2 oz beef jerky, cut into thin strips
02 - 2 oz turkey jerky, cut into thin strips
03 - 2 oz pork jerky, cut into thin strips

→ Cheese

04 - 2 oz sharp cheddar cheese, sliced into thin strips
05 - 2 oz Monterey Jack cheese, sliced into thin strips
06 - 2 oz smoked gouda, sliced into thin strips

→ Garnish

07 - Fresh parsley or chives, finely chopped (optional)

# Steps:

01 - Arrange a clean cutting board or serving platter as your workspace.
02 - Position half of the jerky strips vertically, alternating colors to create a plaid effect.
03 - Weave strips of cheese horizontally over and under the jerky, alternating cheese types to form a woven pattern.
04 - Continue alternating the directions and colors of jerky and cheese strips, replicating a tartan plaid pattern.
05 - Gently press the woven assembly to help it retain its shape.
06 - Trim the edges if desired for a cleaner presentation.
07 - Sprinkle with finely chopped parsley or chives if using, for freshness and color.
08 - Serve immediately on a charcuterie board or cut into squares for individual servings.

# Top Tips:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours in the kitchen when it actually takes 20 minutes and zero cooking.
  • Your guests will Instagram it before eating it, and honestly, you deserve that moment.
  • The combination of textures and flavors makes everyone ask how you thought of it.
02 -
  • The thickness of your strips matters more than you'd think—too thick and it won't weave cleanly, too thin and everything tears as you handle it.
  • Slightly room-temperature cheese is your friend here; cold cheese straight from the fridge fights you every step of the way.
03 -
  • Room temperature everything about 10 minutes before you start arranging so your strips cooperate instead of fighting you.
  • If you mess up a weave, just pause, take a breath, and start that row again—no one will see the imperfect part if it's in the middle.
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