Diamond Inlay Elegant Appetizer (Printable)

A creamy cheese ring with caviar or tapenade center for sophisticated gatherings.

# What You’ll Need:

→ 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 for pescatarian)
06 - 1.5 oz black olive tapenade (optional for vegetarian)

→ Garnish & Serving

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

# How-To Steps:

01 - Combine cream cheese, sour cream, lemon juice, and salt in a mixing bowl. Blend until smooth and fluffy.
02 - Place an approximately 3-inch diameter ring mold or cookie cutter on the serving platter.
03 - Use a spoon or piping bag to create a thick, even ring of the cream cheese mixture around the inside edge of the mold, leaving the center hollow.
04 - Spoon black caviar or tapenade into the hollow center, smoothing it into a diamond-like shape.
05 - Carefully lift and remove the ring mold to display the clean cream cheese and center filling pattern.
06 - Sprinkle chopped chives or dill over the top for color and aroma.
07 - Present immediately with crackers, blinis, or toasted baguette slices.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • It tastes absolutely luxurious but takes just 15 minutes, making you look like a culinary genius without the stress.
  • The creamy, briny contrast feels restaurant-quality yet uses ingredients that live in most fridges.
  • It works for either the fancy caviar version or a vegetarian olive tapenade moment, depending on your mood and budget.
02 -
  • Cold cream cheese is your enemy—if it's straight from the fridge, it will tear and lump instead of spreading, ruining the smooth ring you're after.
  • Assemble this just before serving if you're using caviar, because it can get weepy or lose its pop if it sits too long.
  • The ring mold is non-negotiable for that clean, geometric look; without it, you're just making a dip.
03 -
  • If you don't have a ring mold, a clean tuna or pâté can works, or even a biscuit cutter in a pinch—the shape matters less than the thought behind it.
  • Make the cream cheese mixture the night before and store it covered; assemble the final presentation just before serving to keep everything looking pristine.
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