Diamond Inlay Appetizer (Print View)

Creamy cheese ring encircles a luxe caviar or tapenade center for sophisticated starters.

# Components:

→ Cream Cheese Layer

01 - 7 oz cream cheese, softened
02 - 1 tbsp sour cream
03 - 1 tsp lemon juice
04 - Pinch of salt

→ Center Diamond

05 - 1.5 oz black caviar (optional, for pescatarian)
06 - 1.5 oz black olive tapenade (vegetarian alternative)

→ Garnish & Serving

07 - 1 tbsp finely chopped chives or dill
08 - Crackers, blinis, or toasted baguette slices

# Method:

01 - In a mixing bowl, blend cream cheese, sour cream, lemon juice, and salt until smooth and fluffy.
02 - Place an 3-inch diameter ring mold or cookie cutter on the serving platter.
03 - Using a spoon or piping bag, pipe a thick, even ring of the cream cheese mixture along the inside edge of the mold, leaving the center empty.
04 - Spoon black caviar or black olive tapenade carefully into the center, smoothing it to create a diamond shape.
05 - Gently remove the ring mold to reveal a clean diamond inlay shape.
06 - Sprinkle with chopped chives or dill for color and serve immediately with crackers, blinis, or toasted baguette slices.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes sophisticated but comes together in 15 minutes, so you can stop stressing and start enjoying your guests.
  • The contrast of cool, tangy cream cheese against the briny pop of caviar (or the olive depth of tapenade) creates a moment of flavor that people actually pause to appreciate.
  • You can make this vegan by swapping cream cheese, or keep it humble with tapenade—it scales to whatever your crowd and budget allow.
02 -
  • Cold cream cheese will not blend smoothly no matter how hard you work it—soften it at room temperature for 30 minutes, and suddenly everything becomes easier and more professional looking.
  • The center will absorb flavor from whatever surrounds it, so if you assemble too far ahead, the caviar's brine will bleed into the cream cheese and muddy the visual impact that makes this dish special.
03 -
  • If you don't have a ring mold, use a clean can with both ends removed or even a large pastry cutter turned sideways—anything circular and sturdy will work.
  • Run the outside of the mold under warm water for five seconds before unmolding and you'll remove it even more smoothly, reducing any sticking or dragging.
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