Cobblestone Courtyard Platter (Print Version)

Round crackers and mixed olives arranged beautifully for a visually appealing starter.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Crackers

01 - 36 to 40 round crackers (e.g., water crackers, multigrain, or rice crackers)

→ Olives

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

→ Garnishes (optional)

03 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (parsley, thyme, or rosemary)
04 - ¼ cup crumbled feta or goat cheese
05 - 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

# How to Make It:

01 - Select a large serving platter or board to serve as the courtyard base.
02 - Place round crackers closely together in a random overlapping pattern to resemble cobblestones.
03 - Nestle assorted pitted olives into the gaps between crackers to create a mortar effect and enhance presentation.
04 - Optionally sprinkle chopped fresh herbs and crumbled cheese evenly over the arrangement.
05 - Drizzle extra virgin olive oil lightly across the top for flavor and shine.
06 - Present immediately as an interactive and visually appealing appetizer centerpiece.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It looks restaurant-worthy but takes just 10 minutes, making you feel like a host with actual free time.
  • Everyone gravitates toward it instantly because it's beautiful enough to photograph and honest enough to actually enjoy eating.
02 -
  • Pit those olives before assembly—discovering a pit while eating someone else's food at a party is nobody's favorite moment, and it only takes a few extra minutes to prevent it.
  • The real magic happens when you vary your cracker and olive sizes intentionally, creating visual rhythm that feels deliberate rather than random.
03 -
  • Prepare everything in advance and assemble just before guests arrive—this platter holds perfectly for 30 minutes and tastes exactly the same, but it gives you time to breathe before the evening starts.
  • Buy your olives from a deli counter if possible and taste a few first, because quality varies wildly and one exceptional olive makes the difference between good and memorable.
Go Back