Cobblestone Courtyard Platter

# What You'll Need:

01 - 36–40 round crackers (water crackers, multigrain, or rice crackers)

02 - 1 cup assorted pitted olives (Castelvetrano, Kalamata, black olives)

03 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (parsley, thyme, rosemary)

04 - 1/4 cup crumbled feta or goat cheese

05 - 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

01 - Select a large serving platter or charcuterie board to serve as the base.

02 - Place round crackers closely together in an overlapping, random pattern resembling cobblestones.

03 - Nestle assorted pitted olives in the gaps between crackers to create a mortar effect.

04 - Optionally sprinkle chopped herbs and cheese crumbles evenly over the arrangement.

05 - Lightly drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the top for flavor and shine.

06 - Present immediately as an interactive and visually appealing appetizer.

01 -

It looks so impressive that people assume you fussed over it for hours, when really you just needed 10 minutes and a sense of playfulness.
Every bite tastes a little different depending on which combination of crackers and olives you grab, making it feel interactive and fun.
Works perfectly for unexpected guests because you likely have most of these pantry staples already on hand.

02 -

Arrange this platter as close to serving time as possible—crackers begin softening after 20 minutes, especially if the olives release their brine into the surface.
Choose olives that are already pitted or pit them yourself just before assembling; pre-pitted olives from jars sometimes lose their integrity and become mushy.

03 -

Choose crackers with interesting edges and varied surface texture—they photograph better and feel more rustic when stacked together.
Warming your platter slightly in the oven before assembly helps any cheese melt just enough to soften its crumbles while keeping everything visually distinct.