Diamond Inlay Appetizer (Printer View)

Elegant appetizer with creamy cheese and a luxurious caviar or tapenade center, ideal for sophisticated gatherings.

# Components:

→ Cream Cheese Layer

01 - 7 oz cream cheese, softened
02 - 1 tbsp sour cream
03 - 1 tsp lemon juice
04 - Pinch of salt

→ Center Diamond

05 - 1.5 oz black caviar (optional)
06 - 1.5 oz black olive tapenade (vegetarian option)

→ Garnish & Serving

07 - 1 tbsp finely chopped chives or dill
08 - Crackers, blinis, or toasted baguette slices

# Method:

01 - In a mixing bowl, blend the cream cheese, sour cream, lemon juice, and salt until the mixture is smooth and fluffy.
02 - Place a round ring mold or cookie cutter approximately 3 inches in diameter on the serving platter.
03 - Using a spoon or piping bag, pipe a thick, even ring of the cream cheese mixture around the inside edge of the mold, leaving the center empty.
04 - Carefully spoon the black caviar or olive tapenade into the center, smoothing it to form a diamond shape.
05 - Gently lift and remove the ring mold to reveal the clean and defined diamond inlay.
06 - Sprinkle with chopped chives or dill for color and serve immediately with crackers, blinis, or toasted baguette slices.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours when you actually spent fifteen minutes, which is the definition of a confident appetizer.
  • The creamy-briny-bright flavor combination tastes expensive but costs far less than it appears.
  • You can pivot between caviar and tapenade depending on your mood, your budget, or what your guests eat.
02 -
  • If you assemble this more than 30 minutes before serving, the cream cheese will start to sweat and the caviar will begin to weep, dulling that precious jewel effect.
  • The mold or cutter must be absolutely clean and dry before you use it, or the cream cheese will stick frustratingly and ruin your reveal moment.
03 -
  • If you're nervous about the reveal, practice with the mold on a small plate before assembly day so you know exactly how much pressure to apply and which direction to wiggle.
  • Make the cream cheese mixture up to 2 hours ahead, but assemble the final plated version no more than 30 minutes before guests arrive.
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