Midnight Orchard Fruit Cheese (Print)

A sophisticated mix of dark cherries, plums, grapes, and black-ashed goat cheese for elegant serving.

# 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 tablespoons toasted walnuts (optional)
06 - 1 tablespoon honey (optional)
07 - Fresh thyme sprigs for decoration

# How To Make It:

01 - Place the dark cherries, plum wedges, and purple grapes on a large serving platter, grouping each fruit separately for an attractive presentation.
02 - Position slices or crumbles of black-ashed goat cheese alongside the arranged fruit.
03 - If desired, sprinkle toasted walnuts over the platter and lightly drizzle with honey to enhance sweetness.
04 - Garnish the platter with fresh thyme sprigs to add aromatic appeal.
05 - Present immediately, allowing guests to assemble their preferred combinations.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in minutes, which means you can actually enjoy your guests instead of sweating in the kitchen.
  • The play between tart cheese and sweet fruit feels indulgent without requiring any real cooking.
  • It looks like you spent hours thinking about it, which is the best kind of deception.
02 -
  • Cherries and plums oxidize once cut, so slice them as close to serving time as you can. If you must prepare early, toss them gently with a tiny squeeze of lemon juice—it keeps them from browning and adds brightness.
  • Cold cheese tastes flat. Let your goat cheese sit out for 20 minutes before plating so you actually taste the creamy texture and tangy notes instead of just the texture.
03 -
  • Invest in a really good knife for clean fruit slices. A dull blade bruises fruit and makes everything look less intentional.
  • If you're serving this in warm weather, chill your platter in the fridge for 10 minutes before plating. Cold fruit against room-temperature cheese creates a pleasant textural contrast.
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