Clockwork Orange Citrus Cheese (Printable)

A vibrant citrus and cheese platter arranged in a clock formation, perfect for serving at social events.

# What You Need:

→ Citrus

01 - 1 large orange
02 - 1 blood orange
03 - 1 grapefruit
04 - 2 clementines
05 - 1 lemon
06 - 1 lime

→ Cheese

07 - 5.3 oz firm goat cheese or manchego
08 - 3.5 oz aged cheddar or gouda

→ Garnishes

09 - 2 tablespoons honey
10 - 2 tablespoons chopped pistachios or walnuts (optional)
11 - Fresh mint leaves (optional)
12 - Crackers or crusty bread, to serve

# Directions:

01 - Slice all citrus fruits into thin, even rounds, removing seeds where necessary.
02 - Place the citrus slices in a circular pattern on a large round serving platter, alternating colors for a vibrant visual effect. Position one slice at each hour from 1 to 12 as on a clock face.
03 - Cut cheeses into long, narrow strips. Form two strips to resemble clock hands and position them at the center of the platter pointing to your desired time.
04 - Drizzle honey over the center cheese arrangement and sprinkle with chopped pistachios or walnuts if using.
05 - Garnish with fresh mint leaves to enhance color and aroma.
06 - Serve immediately alongside crackers or crusty bread.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks absolutely stunning without requiring any actual cooking skills or stress.
  • The whole thing comes together in twenty minutes, leaving you plenty of time to handle everything else on party day.
  • Fresh citrus and creamy cheese is a flavor combination that works for breakfast, lunch, or an evening reception.
02 -
  • Slice your citrus no more than an hour before serving—the longer they sit, the drier the edges become and the less vibrant they look.
  • Use a very sharp knife for clean, even cuts; a dull blade will tear the delicate fruit and create ragged edges that don't photograph or taste as good.
  • If your cheese is too soft to cut cleanly into strips, chill it for fifteen minutes before slicing and it will hold its shape perfectly.
03 -
  • A mandoline makes perfectly even citrus slices if you have one, but a very sharp chef's knife and a steady hand work just as well.
  • Arrange your citrus slices slightly overlapping rather than flat against the platter—this creates dimension and makes everything look even more intentional.
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