Industrial Slate Appetizer Platter (Printable Version)

Cold meats and sharp cheeses composed on a hefty stone slab for a bold, modern starter.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Cold Meats

01 - 3.5 oz smoked prosciutto
02 - 3.5 oz soppressata
03 - 3.5 oz coppa
04 - 3.5 oz mortadella

→ Sharp Cheeses

05 - 3.5 oz aged cheddar, sliced
06 - 3.5 oz Manchego, sliced
07 - 3.5 oz Gruyère, sliced
08 - 3.5 oz blue cheese, sliced or crumbled

→ Accompaniments

09 - 1 small bunch seedless red grapes
10 - 1.75 oz cornichons
11 - 1.75 oz whole grain mustard
12 - 1.75 oz mixed olives (green and black)
13 - Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Place a large, heavy, unpolished stone or slate serving board on your workspace.
02 - Arrange smoked prosciutto, soppressata, coppa, and mortadella in straight, parallel lines on one side of the board, keeping each type separated and visually distinct.
03 - On the opposite side, place aged cheddar, Manchego, Gruyère, and blue cheese in straight lines grouped by type.
04 - Fill the spaces between meats and cheeses with small bunches of seedless red grapes, cornichons, and mixed olives.
05 - Place small dollops of whole grain mustard in neat lines or in a small dish at a corner of the slate.
06 - Lightly sprinkle freshly cracked black pepper over the meats and cheeses to enhance aroma.
07 - Serve immediately, allowing guests to enjoy the minimalist, industrial presentation.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It looks sophisticated but takes less time than a proper appetizer, which means you actually get to enjoy your guests instead of stress-cooking.
  • The cool stone keeps everything fresh and chilled naturally, giving you that restaurant-quality edge without any fancy equipment.
  • Arranging it is weirdly meditative—straight lines and clear sections feel calming, like you're creating order in your kitchen for a moment.
02 -
  • Buy your meats and cheeses from a place where they're willing to slice them fresh, not pre-packaged; the difference in texture and flavor is immediate and worth the few extra minutes.
  • Chill your slate if you can—it's not required, but it transforms the whole experience, keeping everything cool and making the board feel intentional rather than lazy.
03 -
  • Buy a real slate board if you can; cheap boards won't feel the same, and this is one of those investments that gets better every time you use it.
  • Arrange everything no more than 30 minutes before serving to keep the cold, fresh feeling that makes this dish sing.
Return