Pink Petal Watercolor Wash (Print-Friendly)

Stunning pink-red platter with meats, cheeses, fruits, and veggies, perfect for spring brunches and gatherings.

# What You'll Need:

→ Charcuterie

01 - 3.5 oz prosciutto, thinly sliced and shaped into small roses
02 - 3.5 oz mortadella, thinly sliced

→ Vegetables

03 - 6 to 8 small pink radishes, thinly sliced
04 - 1 watermelon radish, thinly sliced
05 - 1 small cooked beet, thinly sliced

→ Cheeses

06 - 3.5 oz pink-hued cheese (e.g., port wine Derby, rosé goat cheese, or berry-washed rind cheese), sliced
07 - 3.5 oz brie or camembert, cut into wedges

→ Bread & Crackers

08 - 1 small baguette, sliced or gluten-free crackers as substitute
09 - 1 package rice crackers

→ Fruits

10 - 1 cup fresh strawberries, halved
11 - 1 cup raspberries

→ Garnish

12 - Edible rose petals or microgreens (optional)

# How To Make It:

01 - Arrange a large platter or board to create an appealing presentation base.
02 - Form prosciutto slices into rose-like shapes by rolling or folding and distribute evenly across the platter.
03 - Place mortadella slices in loose folds adjacent to the prosciutto clusters.
04 - Scatter thin slices of pink radishes, watermelon radish, and cooked beet in overlapping, fanned layers to mimic watercolor brush strokes.
05 - Position pink-hued cheese slices and brie or camembert wedges in small groups, blending colors harmoniously with meats and vegetables.
06 - Arrange baguette slices and rice crackers along the edges or interspersed within the platter in gentle curves.
07 - Distribute halved strawberries and raspberries in small piles to complement the pink-themed palette and add sweetness.
08 - Decorate with edible rose petals or microgreens for refined elegance.
09 - Present immediately and invite guests to sample combinations as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It requires zero cooking skills—just the confidence to arrange beautiful things, which somehow feels easier once you begin
  • Your guests will think you've spent the entire morning in the kitchen when really, you just spent twenty mindful minutes creating something Instagram would envy
  • The flavor combinations work because the ingredients actually belong together, from the salty prosciutto roses to the delicate sweetness of fresh berries
  • It's naturally flexible enough to honor dietary preferences without anyone feeling like an afterthought
02 -
  • Slice all your vegetables at the very last moment—they'll oxidize otherwise and lose that fresh, almost translucent quality that makes this platter sing
  • Your prosciutto roses look infinitely better when the meat is truly cold from the refrigerator; warm prosciutto tears and refuses to cooperate, and that matters more than you'd expect
  • Don't arrange this platter on a white surface unless you deliberately want a gallery effect; a wooden board, dark slate, or even a linen cloth makes the pinks absolutely glow
03 -
  • Invest in a sharp knife or, better yet, a mandoline slicer for vegetables—thin slices are what transform everyday ingredients into something that feels luxurious and special
  • Cook your beet at least a few hours ahead, even the day before; it needs time to cool fully and set its color, and you avoid any last-minute cooking stress
  • The prosciutto roses can be shaped an hour ahead and kept between parchment in the refrigerator—this means you're not fumbling with cold meat while trying to arrange the rest
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