Midnight Orchard Fruit Cheese (Print-Friendly)

A stunning combination of dark cherries, ripe plums, grapes, and creamy black-ashed goat cheese.

# What You'll Need:

→ Fruit

01 - 1 cup dark cherries, pitted and halved
02 - 2 ripe plums, sliced into wedges
03 - 1 cup purple grapes, halved

→ Cheese

04 - 7 oz black-ashed goat cheese, sliced or crumbled

→ Garnishes

05 - 2 tbsp toasted walnuts (optional)
06 - 1 tbsp honey (optional)
07 - Fresh thyme sprigs for decoration

# How To Make It:

01 - Place dark cherries, plum wedges, and purple grapes on a large serving platter, grouping each fruit separately for an appealing presentation.
02 - Arrange slices or crumbles of black-ashed goat cheese alongside the fruit on the platter.
03 - Sprinkle toasted walnuts over the fruits and cheese if desired, then drizzle with honey for sweetness.
04 - Garnish with fresh thyme sprigs to enhance visual appeal.
05 - Present immediately, allowing guests to create their own flavor combinations.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours in the kitchen when it actually takes fifteen minutes flat.
  • The goat cheese cuts through the sweetness of the fruit in a way that makes each bite feel balanced and sophisticated.
  • No cooking means no stress, just pure assembly and showing off.
02 -
  • Bring the goat cheese out thirty minutes before serving; cold cheese is difficult to spread and tastes muted, while room temperature cheese is creamy and lets its tangy flavor shine.
  • Arrange the platter only when guests are minutes away from arriving; fruit oxidizes and can look tired if it sits too long.
03 -
  • Toast your own walnuts just before serving; the warmth brings out a depth that transforms the whole platter.
  • Use a large platter so everything breathes; cramped food looks less inviting, and people are more likely to move things around on a full surface.
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