Zenith Point Artisanal Cheese Salad (Printable Version)

Fresh arugula, cherry tomatoes, pomegranate seeds, and walnuts arranged around a cheese centerpiece.

# Components:

→ Fresh Produce

01 - 2 cups baby arugula
02 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 1/2 cucumber, thinly sliced
04 - 1 small watermelon radish, thinly sliced
05 - 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds

→ Nuts & Seeds

06 - 1/4 cup toasted walnuts

→ Dressing

07 - 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
08 - 1 tbsp white balsamic vinegar
09 - 1 tsp honey
10 - 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Cheese Centerpiece

12 - 1 small artisanal cheese wheel (approx. 8.8 oz) such as Saint-Marcellin, Brie, or local soft-ripened cheese

# Method Steps:

01 - Place the cheese wheel on a small pedestal or plate in the corner of a large serving platter or board.
02 - Arrange baby arugula in a sweeping arc radiating outward from the cheese wheel to create directional lines.
03 - Place halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced cucumber, and watermelon radish in orderly rows angled toward the cheese wheel.
04 - Distribute pomegranate seeds and toasted walnuts along the arranged ingredients following the directional pattern.
05 - Whisk together extra-virgin olive oil, white balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
06 - Drizzle the dressing lightly over the salad, avoiding the cheese wheel.
07 - Serve immediately, inviting guests to cut from the cheese wheel and combine with the arranged ingredients.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a showstopper that arrives complete and ready to impress, no last-minute plating stress.
  • The cheese becomes an interactive centerpiece that guests naturally gravitate toward and share.
  • Every bite contains a dialogue between the fresh, clean vegetables and that rich, creamy anchor point.
02 -
  • Slice your vegetables no more than 30 minutes ahead or they'll start releasing water and your careful lines will become soggy and sad.
  • The cheese wheel needs to be cold when you assemble; if it's warm it softens too fast and loses its structural integrity when people try to cut from it.
  • Don't skimp on the size of your platter—a crowded zenith point loses all its power, so think bigger than feels necessary.
03 -
  • If your watermelon radish is reluctant to slice thin, freeze it for 15 minutes first and it'll become cooperative and dramatically more vibrant in appearance.
  • Keep a squeeze of lemon nearby on serving night—sometimes the dressing needs just a whisper more brightness depending on which vegetables came out that day.
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