Artistic Sundial Cheese Platter

# What You Need:

→ Cheese

01 - 1 thick wedge (5.3 oz) aged hard cheese (e.g., Parmigiano-Reggiano, aged Gouda, or Manchego)

→ Balsamic Glaze

02 - 3 tbsp high-quality balsamic glaze

→ Nut Clusters

03 - 1/3 cup roasted almonds

04 - 1/3 cup roasted walnuts

05 - 1/3 cup roasted pecans

06 - 1/3 cup roasted hazelnuts

07 - 2 tbsp dried cranberries (optional, for color)

→ Garnishes (optional)

08 - Fresh grapes or figs

09 - Edible flowers or microgreens

# How To Make It:

01 - Place the wedge of hard cheese upright in the center of a large round serving platter, with the pointed end oriented outward to resemble a sundial gnomon.

02 - Drizzle a thick line of balsamic glaze extending outward from the cheese wedge to mimic the shadow of a sundial.

03 - Distribute 12 small clusters of mixed roasted nuts evenly around the cheese, forming a circle to represent the hours on a clock face. Include dried cranberries with some clusters for visual contrast if desired.

04 - Enhance the platter's appearance with fresh grapes, figs, edible flowers, or microgreens as preferred.

05 - Provide cocktail picks or small forks to facilitate sharing.

# Expert Tips:

01 -

It's pure showstopper energy with zero cooking required—just arrangement and a steady hand.
Your guests will talk about this platter long after the cheese is gone because it's impossible to forget.

02 -

The cheese wedge needs to be thick and substantial enough to stand on its own; thin slices will topple, and your whole concept collapses with them.
Balsamic glaze matters more than you'd think—regular balsamic vinegar is too thin and runny; the glaze clings and creates that dramatic shadow line that makes people say 'wow.'

03 -

Assemble this no more than an hour before serving so the cheese stays firm and the nuts stay crisp; humidity and time soften everything.
If your balsamic glaze is too thick to drizzle smoothly, warm it gently for 10 seconds—it'll flow like ink and create that perfect shadow line.