Yin Yang Balance Board (Print View)

A visually striking platter featuring dark olives, cheeses, nuts, and fruits arranged in yin-yang style.

# Components:

→ Dark Side

01 - 1 cup pitted black olives
02 - 2.8 oz dark rye crackers
03 - 2.8 oz aged balsamic-glazed mushrooms, sliced (optional)
04 - 2.1 oz black grapes or blackberries
05 - 1.8 oz dark chocolate squares (70% cacao or above)

→ Light Side

06 - 4.2 oz white cheese (goat cheese, brie, or mozzarella), sliced or cubed
07 - 2.8 oz rice crackers or water crackers
08 - 2.1 oz raw cashews or blanched almonds
09 - 1.8 oz dried apricots or white grapes
10 - 1 tablespoon honey, for drizzling (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Place a large, round serving board or platter on your work surface.
02 - Use a small bowl or circular cutter as a guide to lightly mark an S-shaped curve down the center, creating the yin and yang division.
03 - On one half of the board, arrange the black olives, dark rye crackers, balsamic-glazed mushrooms, black grapes or blackberries, and dark chocolate squares to fill the dark side.
04 - On the opposite half, place the white cheese, rice or water crackers, cashews or almonds, dried apricots or white grapes, and drizzle with honey if desired.
05 - For a finishing touch, place a small round cheese ball or olive as the dot in each swirl to mimic the yin-yang symbol.
06 - Serve immediately, inviting guests to enjoy the contrasting flavors and textures of both sides.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a showstopper that requires zero cooking—perfect for when you want to impress without stress
  • The contrasting flavors and textures create a surprisingly sophisticated tasting experience, from creamy cheese to crispy crackers to bursts of sweetness
  • Guests become part of the experience, choosing their own flavor journey by mixing dark and light elements
02 -
  • Temperature matters more than you'd think—if your cheese is too warm or your chocolate has softened, the board loses its visual impact, so arrange it no more than 30 minutes before serving
  • The arrangement isn't fixed; this is a board meant to be eaten from, so embrace the natural chaos that follows as people enjoy it
03 -
  • Arrange your board on a chilled platter for the first 15 minutes before serving—this keeps everything fresh and prevents cheese from getting too soft
  • The secret that changed everything for me was using a very sharp knife for cheese and letting crackers breathe slightly between items, which prevents everything from blending together visually and makes each element distinct
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