Horse-Shaped Grazing Board

A whimsical and impressive appetizer platter arranged in the shape of a horse, featuring a variety of cheeses, charcuterie, fruits, nuts, and accompaniments—perfect for parties or themed celebrations.

This grazing board has always been a conversation starter at my gatherings, impressing guests with its creativity and delicious offerings.

Ingredients

• Cheeses: 100 g aged cheddar cubed, 100 g brie sliced, 100 g gouda cubed, 100 g blue cheese crumbled
• Charcuterie (omit for vegetarian option): 100 g prosciutto thinly sliced, 100 g salami sliced, 100 g smoked turkey sliced
• Fresh Fruits: 1 cup red grapes halved, 1 cup green grapes halved, 1 apple thinly sliced, 1 pear thinly sliced, 1/2 cup dried apricots
• Vegetables: 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved, 1 cup cucumber sliced, 1/2 cup baby carrots
• Crackers & Bread: 2 cups assorted crackers, 1 baguette sliced
• Nuts & Extras: 1/2 cup roasted almonds, 1/2 cup walnuts, 1/4 cup olives (black or green), 1/4 cup cornichons or small pickles, 1/4 cup honey or fig jam

Instructions

Step 1:

On a large, clean board or tray, sketch or outline the shape of a horse using parchment paper, or use a horse-shaped template as a guide.

Step 2:

Begin by arranging the cheeses to define the horses head, mane, and body, varying colors and shapes for visual interest.

Step 3:

Layer charcuterie slices to form contours and add texture, such as the mane or legs.

Step 4:

Fill in with fruits and vegetables, using grape clusters and sliced apples for curves and accents.

Step 5:

Place crackers and baguette slices along the border or as the horses ground.

Step 6:

Scatter nuts, olives, and pickles in small groupings to add detail and fill gaps.

Step 7:

Use a small dish of honey or fig jam as an eye or to accent the board.

Step 8:

Adjust and refine the arrangement for a clear horse shape, ensuring even distribution of colors and textures.

Step 9:

Serve immediately, providing cheese knives and serving utensils.

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This board has brought our family together many times, making each gathering feel special and interactive.

Required Tools

Large serving board or tray Paring knife Cheese knives Small bowls or ramekins Cutting board

Allergen Information

Contains Dairy Tree Nuts Gluten (from bread/crackers) possible Sulfites (in dried fruits cured meats) possible Egg (in some crackers)

Nutritional Information

Calories 340 Total Fat 19 g Carbohydrates 26 g Protein 14 g

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With these tips, you can easily create a stunning horse-shaped grazing board that delights all your guests.

Recipe FAQs

→ How do I create the horse shape on the board?

Use parchment paper or a horse-shaped template to outline the form on your board before arranging ingredients, ensuring a clear and defined shape.

→ What cheeses work best for this platter?

Aged cheddar, brie, gouda, and blue cheese provide varied textures and colors to define different horse parts and add flavor contrast.

→ Can this platter be made vegetarian-friendly?

Yes, simply omit the charcuterie and add extra cheeses, roasted vegetables, or marinated tofu to maintain variety and appeal.

→ How should I arrange fruits and vegetables?

Use grape clusters, sliced apples, pears, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and baby carrots to create curves and add vibrant color throughout the design.

→ What are good accompaniments for serving?

Assorted crackers, sliced baguette, roasted nuts, olives, pickles, and a small dish of honey or fig jam complement flavors and textures beautifully.

→ How long does preparation take?

Allow about 30 minutes to arrange the board carefully and achieve the desired horse shape and balance of ingredients.