Victorian Cameo Cheese Tapenade (Printable)

Creamy cheese paired with black olive tapenade forms an elegant oval accent, ideal for elegant starters.

# What You Need:

→ Cheese

01 - 7 oz fresh goat cheese (chèvre) or cream cheese

→ Tapenade

02 - 2.8 oz black olive tapenade (store-bought or homemade)

→ Garnish & Base

03 - 4 slices rustic baguette or gluten-free crackers (optional)
04 - Fresh herbs (thyme or chives), finely chopped
05 - Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling

# Directions:

01 - Form the cheese into four thick oval medallions approximately 3/4 inch thick. Arrange each on individual serving plates or on bread/crackers if using.
02 - Use the back of a spoon or small spatula to spread a thin layer of black olive tapenade over each cheese oval, crafting a silhouette or cameo design.
03 - Drizzle extra virgin olive oil around each cheese cameo and sprinkle finely chopped fresh herbs over them.
04 - Present immediately with additional bread or gluten-free crackers as desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours perfecting something when it actually takes minutes, which is the best kitchen magic.
  • Everyone comments on how elegant it is, but then realizes they can actually make this themselves at home.
02 -
  • Don't spread the tapenade too thick or it overwhelms the delicate cheese—a thin layer is all you need, and it lets both flavors stay visible and distinct.
  • Make these as close to serving time as you can, because cheese at room temperature is creamy and cooperative, but cold cheese gets stubborn and resists the spoon.
03 -
  • Room temperature cheese is non-negotiable—pull it out 30 minutes before you plan to serve so it's soft and cooperative when you're spreading the tapenade.
  • If you're making tapenade at home, pulse it by hand with a fork instead of over-blending in a food processor, which can turn it into an oily paste and destroy the texture you want.
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