Cobblestone Courtyard Platter (Printable)

An artistic platter showcasing crackers and olives for an inviting, flavorful bite.

# What you'll need:

→ Crackers

01 - 36–40 round crackers (e.g., water crackers, multigrain, or rice crackers)

→ Olives

02 - 1 cup assorted pitted olives (Castelvetrano, Kalamata, black)

→ Garnishes (optional)

03 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (parsley, thyme, or rosemary)
04 - 1/4 cup crumbled feta or goat cheese
05 - 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

# Method:

01 - Select a large serving platter or charcuterie board to serve as the base.
02 - Place the round crackers closely together in a random, overlapping pattern to simulate cobblestones.
03 - Nestle assorted pitted olives into the gaps between crackers to create a mortar effect and enhance presentation.
04 - If desired, sprinkle chopped herbs and crumbled cheese evenly over the arrangement.
05 - Lightly drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the top for added flavor and gloss.
06 - Present immediately as an interactive appetizer centerpiece.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks fancy enough to impress without requiring any real cooking—just thoughtful arrangement and a good eye.
  • Guests become part of the experience, breaking crackers and plucking olives right from the board like they're grazing through a Mediterranean street.
  • You can prep it in minutes, then let it sit and soak in olive oil while you pour wine and catch up with people.
02 -
  • Pit your olives ahead of time—nobody wants to crack a tooth or spit out a pit into their napkin while admiring your work, and having them ready means you can focus on the visual arrangement.
  • Don't drizzle the oil until just before serving, or the crackers begin to soften and the whole board loses its crisp, architectural appeal.
03 -
  • Arrange everything at room temperature so flavors taste bright and the board feels inviting—cold crackers can taste stale and flat.
  • Make a mental note of which olive varieties are which so you can guide friends to try different combinations, turning the board into a small tasting adventure rather than just snacking.
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