Victorian Cameo Cheese Olive (Printable Format)

Creamy cheese ovals topped with black olive tapenade, drizzled with olive oil and fresh herbs.

# What's Needed:

→ Cheese

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

→ Tapenade

02 - 3 oz black olive tapenade (store-bought or homemade)

→ Garnish & Base

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

# How To Make It:

01 - Form the cheese into four thick oval medallions approximately ¾ inch thick each and arrange them on serving plates or atop bread or crackers if using.
02 - Carefully spread a thin layer of black olive tapenade over each cheese oval using the back of a spoon or a small spatula to create a cameo effect; optionally use a stencil for decorative shapes.
03 - Drizzle extra virgin olive oil around each cheese medallion and sprinkle with finely chopped fresh herbs.
04 - Present immediately alongside additional bread or gluten-free crackers if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks expensive and complex but genuinely takes under twenty minutes, which means you'll actually make it on a busy evening.
  • The contrast between cool, tangy cheese and briny olive depth tastes unexpectedly balanced, like you've uncovered a flavor combination that was always meant to be.
  • You can prep everything minutes ahead and assemble right before guests arrive, which is the only way I can stay calm when hosting.
02 -
  • Cold cheese holds its shape infinitely better than room-temperature cheese—I learned this the hard way when my first attempt turned into a creamy puddle under the tapenade.
  • If you're making your own tapenade, pulse it just until it comes together; over-blending creates a bitter, separated mess that tastes nothing like the bright, textured version you're aiming for.
03 -
  • If your cheese is too soft to shape, chill it in the freezer for fifteen minutes before you start—this small step prevents frustration and ensures clean, defined ovals.
  • The visual drama of this dish comes from the color contrast, so don't be timid with your tapenade layer; a thin smear looks intentional, while a barely-there whisper reads as hesitant.
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