Ina Garten's Ultimate Cheese Platter

Ingredients

• 4 pieces Fig Leaves (large, flat leaves; washed and dried; keep refrigerated until use)
• 2 bunches Red Seedless Grapes (washed and patted dry)
• 1 pint Fresh Strawberries (washed, hulled, kept whole)
• 8 oz Brie (soft ripening cheese, rind left on)
• 4 oz English Stilton (blue cheese, rind in, cheese facing out for visual appeal)
• 4 oz Pecorino with Truffles (hard Italian cheese infused with truffle flavor)
• 4 oz Fleur de Vaux Goat Cheese (creamy goat cheese coated with herbs)
• 6 pieces Fresh Apricots (washed and sliced)
• 4 tbsp Fig Jam (sweet fig preserve, served in a small bowl)
• 1 piece Dried Fig Ball (dried figs wrapped in fig leaves; cut in half for display)
• 12 oz Assorted Crackers (various shapes and colors; include thin sticks and dark crisp bases)

Instructions

1. Wash and Dry Fig Leaves

   Rinse the fresh fig leaves under cold water, pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel, and set aside on a paper towel to stay crisp.

   Time: PT5M

2. Create the Green Base

   Lay the washed fig leaves (or substitute green leaves) flat on the serving platter, overlapping slightly to cover the surface.

   Time: PT2M

3. Prepare Fresh Fruit

   Wash the grapes and strawberries thoroughly; pat dry. Hull the strawberries if desired.

   Time: PT5M

4. Slice the Cheeses

   Using a sharp chef's knife, cut the Brie into wedges, slice the Stilton into bite‑size cubes, break the Pecorino into shards, and cut the goat cheese into small rounds.

   Time: PT5M

5. Arrange Cheeses Around the Edge

   Place the cheese pieces evenly around the perimeter of the platter, alternating textures and colors.

   Time: PT5M

6. Add Central Bunch of Grapes

   Position a large bunch of grapes in the center of the platter, allowing the vines to drape naturally.

   Time: PT2M

7. Place Fresh Strawberries

   Scatter a generous handful of strawberries around the grapes, keeping them in a loose, casual cluster.

   Time: PT2M

8. Add Apricots and Fig Jam

   Arrange sliced apricots in a small pile and set a small bowl of fig jam with a spoon nearby.

   Time: PT3M

9. Scatter Assorted Crackers

   Distribute the assorted crackers around the platter, filling gaps between cheeses and fruit.

   Time: PT3M

10. Place Dried Fig Ball

    Open the dried fig ball, cut it in half, and arrange the halves on the platter so the interior figs are visible.

    Time: PT2M

11. Add Height to Brie

    Take a small piece of Brie and gently stack it on top of a larger wedge to create a little height variation.

    Time: PT2M

12. Final Touches and Serve

    Give the platter a quick glance, adjust any items for balance, and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.

    Time: PT5M

Nutrition Facts

Calories

250

Protein

10g

Carbohydrates

20g

Fat

15g

Fiber

2g