Cobblestone Courtyard Platter

# What You'll Need:

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

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

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

01 - Choose a large serving platter or charcuterie board to serve as the courtyard foundation.

02 - Place the round crackers closely together on the platter in a random, overlapping pattern to resemble cobblestones.

03 - Fill the gaps between crackers with assorted olives, positioning them snugly to mimic mortar and enhance the visual texture.

04 - Optionally, sprinkle chopped fresh herbs and crumbled cheese evenly over the top for added flavor and color.

05 - Drizzle extra virgin olive oil lightly over the assembled arrangement to add shine and richness.

06 - Present immediately as an interactive appetizer centerpiece.

01 -

It comes together in 10 minutes but looks like you spent the afternoon arranging it.
The overlapping pattern actually makes people want to dig in rather than leave it alone.
It's the rare appetizer that works equally well as a casual snack or an elegant starter.

02 -

Pit your olives beforehand unless you enjoy watching your guests navigate that surprise; no one wants to announce an olive pit in their mouth to a dinner party.
Assemble this platter no more than 30 minutes before serving, or the crackers will soften and lose their satisfying snap.

03 -

Roasted almonds or marcona almonds tucked between the crackers add surprising crunch and richness without stealing focus from the main event.
If you're feeling adventurous, marinated artichokes or cherry tomatoes can fill certain gaps and add a pop of color that catches the eye before the first bite.