Tuscan Sunburst Appetizer (Printable)

Bright yellow peppers paired with lemon goat cheese and crisp breadsticks create a refreshing appetizer.

# What Goes In:

→ Vegetables

01 - 3 large yellow bell peppers, seeded and sliced into thin strips

→ Cheese Mixture

02 - 7 oz fresh goat cheese, softened
03 - 1 tablespoon lemon zest (from 1–2 lemons)
04 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
05 - 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
06 - 1 tablespoon fresh chives, finely chopped
07 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Bread

08 - 12 grissini (Italian breadsticks)

# How to Make It:

01 - Combine goat cheese, lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, chives, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl and mix until smooth and creamy.
02 - Place yellow bell pepper strips in a circular pattern on a large serving platter, leaving the center open to form sun rays.
03 - Spoon the lemon-infused goat cheese into the center of the platter, shaping it into a neat circle or dome.
04 - Arrange breadsticks around the platter, radiating outward from the cheese center to resemble sun rays.
05 - Serve immediately, using the breadsticks and bell peppers to scoop the cheese.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks restaurant-worthy but takes less time than scrolling through your phone, which means you can actually enjoy your guests instead of stressing in the kitchen.
  • The brightness of those yellow peppers against the creamy cheese is exactly what summer gatherings need—it lifts the whole mood of a table.
  • Goat cheese and lemon are a pairing that tastes fancy without pretending to be anything it's not.
02 -
  • If your goat cheese is cold and won't blend smoothly, it'll look grainy instead of luxurious—always let it come to room temperature first, even if it takes fifteen minutes.
  • The moment you add the lemon zest is when everything transforms; don't skip it or substitute it, because that's what makes this taste like something intentional rather than just cheese on a plate.
03 -
  • Chill your platter for ten minutes before arranging if your kitchen is warm—this keeps everything fresher and the cheese doesn't soften too quickly.
  • If you want a little more flavor, roast the pepper strips under the broiler for two minutes until they blister slightly, then cool them before arranging; it adds a subtle char that deepens everything.
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