Midnight Orchard Fruit Cheese (Print View)

A striking mix of dark cherries, plums, grapes, and creamy black-ashed goat cheese ideal for an elegant appetizer.

# Components:

→ 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

# Method:

01 - Arrange the dark cherries, plum wedges, and purple grapes on a large serving platter, grouping each fruit for visual appeal.
02 - Place slices or crumbles of black-ashed goat cheese alongside the fruit.
03 - Sprinkle toasted walnuts over the platter if using, and drizzle lightly with honey for added sweetness.
04 - Garnish with fresh thyme sprigs.
05 - Serve immediately, allowing guests to create their own pairings.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours in the kitchen when it actually takes fifteen minutes and zero cooking.
  • The contrast between tart goat cheese and sweet fruit creates this little flavor surprise with every bite.
  • It's the kind of thing that makes people think you're fancy, but you're really just arranging beautiful ingredients.
02 -
  • Don't pit the cherries too far in advance or they'll start to oxidize and lose their jewel-like appearance—do it within an hour of serving.
  • If your plums aren't quite ripe, a gentle dip in warm water for a minute softens them just enough without cooking them.
03 -
  • Toast your own walnuts in a dry skillet for two minutes right before serving—the warmth releases their oils and makes the whole platter smell incredible.
  • Use a very sharp knife for the plums and cheese; clean cuts look elegant, while rough cuts feel rushed.
Return