Checkerboard Chalet Cheese Meats (Printable)

A playful arrangement of cubed cheese and meats forming a visual chalet centerpiece.

# What Goes In:

→ Cheeses

01 - 7 oz sharp cheddar cheese, cut into 0.6-inch cubes and slices
02 - 7 oz Swiss cheese, cut into 0.6-inch cubes and slices

→ Meats

03 - 7 oz smoked ham, cut into 0.6-inch cubes and slices
04 - 7 oz salami, cut into 0.6-inch cubes and slices

→ Garnishes & Extras

05 - 16 small fresh chives for logs or roof beams
06 - 8 cherry tomatoes, halved (optional, for decoration)
07 - 1 small bunch flat-leaf parsley for greenery
08 - 8 toothpicks or short skewers for stability

# How to Make It:

01 - Slice all cheese and meats into uniform cubes and slices measuring approximately 0.6 inches to achieve a precise checkerboard pattern.
02 - Arrange cheese slices (cheddar, Swiss) and meat slices (ham, salami) alternately in a 4 by 4 grid on a large serving platter, placing pieces tightly to clearly define the pattern.
03 - On one side of the base, stack alternating cheese and meat cubes in a square layout of 4 cubes per layer, forming 3 to 4 layers high; reinforce stability using toothpicks or skewers as needed.
04 - Position cheese slices or cubes angled atop the stacked layers to form a roof and secure decorative beams using the fresh chives.
05 - Surround the chalet with halved cherry tomatoes and parsley to simulate a garden or pathway.
06 - Present immediately with small forks or cocktail picks for convenient self-serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a conversation starter that actually tastes incredible, not just pretty.
  • Takes less than half an hour but looks like you spent hours plotting and scheming in the kitchen.
  • Naturally gluten-free and low-carb, so it works for almost any crowd without feeling like a compromise.
02 -
  • Don't assemble this more than a couple hours ahead or the cheese will start sweating and the whole thing gets slippery—it's a fresh-assembly dish, best made right before guests arrive.
  • If your chalet leans, tilt it back immediately and wedge a toothpick in at a different angle; it's easier to fix when you catch it early than to rebuild it.
03 -
  • Chill your cheese cubes for 30 minutes before assembly so they hold their shape better and stack more reliably.
  • Use toothpicks at slightly different angles for stability—one straight up isn't enough; cross them or wedge them in at angles for a structure that won't wobble.
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