1 thick slice of fontina or white cheddar for the star
1/2 cup salted almonds or pecans
Instructions
Choose a large rectangular wooden board or a flat serving platter. Start at the bottom of the board and place a small row of pecans or almonds to act as the “soil” or the base of the tree. This helps anchor the shape and provides a clear starting point for your rows.
Begin building the tree by placing a wide horizontal row of cheddar cheese cubes just above the nuts. Follow this with a row of folded turkey salami. To fold the meat, simply fold each circle in half and then half again, tucking them tightly together so they stay upright. As you move upward, make each subsequent row slightly narrower than the one below it to create the iconic triangular tree shape.
Continue layering by adding a row of green grapes, followed by a row of mozzarella pearls. Add a row of turkey pepperoni and then a row of red grapes or cherry tomatoes. The contrast between the white cheese and the bright red fruit creates a beautiful “ornament” effect against the greenery you will add later.
Finish the tip of the triangle with a few final pieces of cheese or a single blackberry. Use a star-shaped cookie cutter to cut a star out of your thick slice of fontina or white cheddar. Place this star at the very top of the triangle to complete the tree silhouette.
Take your fresh rosemary sprigs and tuck them into the gaps between the rows. Let the leaves peek out from the sides and between the cheese cubes to resemble evergreen branches. This step is essential for giving the board its Christmas tree appearance and adds a wonderful herbal aroma to the platter.
