Checkerboard Cheese Herb Squares (Printer View)

Creamy cheeses paired with fresh herbs, arranged artfully for an elegant starter or centerpiece.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cheeses

01 - 5.3 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced
02 - 5.3 oz ricotta cheese
03 - 5.3 oz feta cheese, sliced

→ Herb Mixtures

04 - 1 cup fresh basil leaves
05 - 1 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley
06 - 2 tbsp chopped chives
07 - 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
08 - 1 small garlic clove
09 - 1 tsp lemon zest
10 - Salt and pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

11 - Microgreens or edible flowers (optional)
12 - Freshly ground black pepper

# Method Steps:

01 - Combine basil, parsley, chives, olive oil, garlic, lemon zest, salt, and pepper in a food processor and blend to a smooth paste. Adjust seasoning as preferred.
02 - Line a square or rectangular tray with parchment paper to facilitate removal.
03 - Slice mozzarella and feta into even squares of uniform size using a ruler or cutter for precision if desired.
04 - Use a small offset spatula or piping bag to form ricotta into even squares of matching size with clean edges.
05 - Alternately arrange the cheese squares and herb paste in a checkerboard pattern on the tray, maintaining clean lines and neat presentation.
06 - Garnish with microgreens, edible flowers, or a sprinkle of black pepper as desired. Chill for 10 to 15 minutes before serving.
07 - Present alongside crackers, toasted bread, or fresh crudités.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a conversation starter that doesn't require you to actually cook anything—just arrange and chill.
  • Those crisp herb squares give you a flavor punch that makes each bite interesting.
  • You can prep it hours ahead and have more time to actually enjoy your guests instead of sweating in the kitchen.
02 -
  • Your cheeses must be cold and your tools must be clean—any warmth or smudging breaks the visual magic that makes this dish worth making in the first place.
  • The herb mixture can turn brown-green if you over-process it or let it sit too long; blend it just before assembly and work quickly, or the whole point of that vibrant color disappears.
  • The checkerboard pattern only looks perfect if your squares are actually square and roughly the same size; take the extra minute to measure or trace them with a cutter.
03 -
  • Keep everything cold; warm cheeses and herb paste are your enemy for clean, crisp visuals and proper texture.
  • A piping bag transforms this from fussy to elegant—the herb mixture pipes like a dream and gives you the cleanest edges without any extra effort.
Return