Victorian Cameo Cheese Tapenade (Printable)

Creamy cheese medallions with black olive tapenade and fresh herbs, ideal for refined appetizers.

# What You Need:

→ Cheese

01 - 7 oz fresh goat cheese (chèvre) or cream cheese

→ Tapenade

02 - 2.8 oz black olive tapenade (store-bought or homemade)

→ Garnish & Base

03 - 4 slices rustic baguette or gluten-free crackers (optional)
04 - Fresh herbs (e.g., thyme or chives), finely chopped
05 - Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Form the cheese into four oval medallions approximately 0.8 inches thick each. Arrange on serving plates or atop bread/crackers if using.
02 - Using the back of a spoon or small spatula, gently spread a thin layer of black olive tapenade over each cheese medallion to create a cameo effect. Utilize a stencil or freehand as desired.
03 - Drizzle extra virgin olive oil around each medallion and sprinkle with finely chopped fresh herbs.
04 - Present immediately with additional baguette slices or gluten-free crackers on the side, if preferred.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours in the kitchen, but takes just 15 minutes from start to plating.
  • No cooking required, so your kitchen stays cool and calm while you impress everyone.
  • Naturally vegetarian and gluten-free friendly, so nobody gets left out of the moment.
02 -
  • Temperature matters more than you'd think—if your cheese comes straight from a cold refrigerator, let it sit for five minutes so it softens enough to accept the tapenade without cracking or sliding around.
  • Homemade tapenade tastes sharper and more alive than store-bought, but if you're short on time, a quality store version will never disappoint; the real secret is using olives that actually taste good.
03 -
  • The silhouette is where the magic lives—spend a moment on presentation because your eyes eat first, always.
  • Quality matters here more than quantity; one excellent olive makes a bigger difference than perfect technique on mediocre ingredients.
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