Artistic sundial cheese platter (Printable Version)

A striking cheese wedge adorned with nut clusters and balsamic glaze forming a sundial design.

# The Ingredients You'll Need:

→ Cheese

01 - 1 thick wedge (approximately 5.3 oz) aged hard cheese (Parmigiano-Reggiano, aged Gouda, or Manchego)

→ Balsamic Glaze

02 - 3 tbsp high-quality balsamic glaze

→ Nut Clusters

03 - 1/3 cup roasted almonds
04 - 1/3 cup roasted walnuts
05 - 1/3 cup roasted pecans
06 - 1/3 cup roasted hazelnuts
07 - 2 tbsp dried cranberries (optional, for color)

→ Garnishes (optional)

08 - Fresh grapes or figs
09 - Edible flowers or microgreens

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - Place the wedge of hard cheese upright in the center of a large round serving platter, orienting the pointed end outward to simulate a sundial gnomon.
02 - Using a spoon, carefully drizzle a thick line of balsamic glaze extending outward from the cheese wedge to mimic the sundial’s shadow.
03 - Evenly distribute 12 small clusters of mixed roasted nuts around the cheese, forming a clock-face circle. Incorporate dried cranberries within some clusters for a visual accent.
04 - Enhance the presentation by garnishing the platter with fresh grapes, figs, or edible flowers as desired.
05 - Provide cocktail picks or small forks alongside for convenient serving and sharing.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It looks impossibly fancy but takes about 15 minutes, which means you can spend more time with your guests instead of in the kitchen.
  • No cooking involved, so it's perfect for warm weather entertaining or when your oven is already full.
  • The balsamic shadow detail always gets a reaction—people lean in to look, which instantly makes your spread feel intentional and special.
02 -
  • The cheese wedge needs to be truly sturdy—if it wobbles, your whole composition feels precarious; slice a small flat base if needed so it sits confidently upright.
  • Arrange everything just before serving because the balsamic glaze can weep slightly as it sits, and the nuts can scatter if guests arrive before you're truly ready to welcome them.
03 -
  • If your cheese feels soft or won't stand upright, carve a small flat base on the bottom—even a slightly imperfect wedge works perfectly once it's stable and positioned.
  • The balsamic glaze creates the most dramatic shadow when applied as a thick, confident line rather than a thin drizzle; don't be timid with it.
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