Tartan Plaid Appetizer (Printer-Friendly)

Savory jerky and creamy cheese woven into a vibrant tartan plaid for fun appetizers or snacks.

# What You Need:

→ Jerky

01 - 2 oz beef jerky, cut into thin strips
02 - 2 oz turkey jerky, cut into thin strips
03 - 2 oz pork jerky, cut into thin strips

→ Cheese

04 - 2 oz sharp cheddar cheese, sliced into thin strips
05 - 2 oz Monterey Jack cheese, sliced into thin strips
06 - 2 oz smoked gouda, sliced into thin strips

→ Garnish

07 - Fresh parsley or chives, finely chopped (optional)

# Steps:

01 - Arrange a clean cutting board or serving platter as your workspace.
02 - Place half of the jerky strips vertically, alternating colors to create a plaid effect.
03 - Weave strips of cheese horizontally over and under the jerky, alternating cheese types to form a woven pattern starting from one edge.
04 - Continue weaving the remaining jerky and cheese strips, alternating directions and colors to mimic a tartan plaid.
05 - Gently press the woven layers to help maintain their shape.
06 - Trim edges if desired to achieve a neat presentation.
07 - Sprinkle with chopped parsley or chives for added color and freshness, if using.
08 - Serve immediately as part of a charcuterie board or sliced into squares for individual servings.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It looks impressive and hand-crafted, but honestly takes less time than plating a dessert.
  • No cooking required means you can actually enjoy your guests instead of being stuck in the kitchen.
  • The combination of salty jerky and creamy cheese hits both savory cravings at once.
  • It's naturally gluten-free and low-carb, so everyone at the table can dive in without worry.
02 -
  • Moisture is your enemy—pat your jerky and cheese dry with a paper towel before weaving, or everything starts slipping and the pattern falls apart.
  • Let your cheese come to room temperature for five minutes before cutting, because cold cheese shatters into splinters instead of slicing into clean strips.
  • The type of jerky brand matters more than you'd think; some are too brittle and crack when you bend them, while others stay pliable enough to weave without breaking.
03 -
  • Freeze your knife for ten minutes before slicing cheese to get cleaner cuts without tearing or crumbling.
  • Pair this with something acidic like white wine or apple cider to cut through the richness and refresh your palate between bites.
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