Shooting Star Cheese Board

# What You'll Need:

→ Cheese

01 - 7 oz firm cheese (cheddar, gouda, or manchego), cut into star shape

→ Nuts

02 - 1.8 oz almonds

03 - 1.8 oz pecan halves

04 - 1.8 oz walnuts

→ Berries

05 - 3.5 oz fresh blueberries

06 - 3.5 oz fresh raspberries

07 - 3.5 oz fresh blackberries

08 - 1.8 oz dried cranberries

→ Accompaniments

09 - Gluten-free crackers or baguette slices

10 - Fresh mint leaves for garnish

# How to Make It:

01 - Cut the block of cheese into a star using a star-shaped cookie cutter or sharp knife. Place the star near the top of a large serving board or platter.

02 - Arrange the almonds, pecans, and walnuts in a diagonal line extending from the star to mimic a shooting star's tail.

03 - Intermingle fresh blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and dried cranberries among the nuts to create a colorful cascading effect.

04 - Fill any empty spaces with additional nuts or berries to achieve a full, abundant appearance.

05 - Place gluten-free crackers or sliced baguette to the side, if desired, and garnish with fresh mint leaves for a touch of green.

06 - Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

# Expert Tips:

01 -

It looks like you spent hours in the kitchen when it actually takes twenty minutes flat.
Every guest becomes a kid again, reaching for berries and nuts like they're following a treasure map.
It's naturally vegetarian and can be entirely gluten-free with the right crackers.

02 -

Cheese cuts cleanest when it's been in the fridge for at least an hour—warm cheese crumbles and ruins the star shape.
Raspberries will bruise if you handle them more than necessary, so add them literally last and warn guests they're delicate.

03 -

Chill your serving board in the freezer for ten minutes before arranging—it keeps everything fresher and the cheese stays firmer longer.
Assemble this right before serving whenever possible; the longer it sits, the more the berries leak juice and the nuts absorb moisture.