Craft a chalet from meats, cheeses, and crackers as a show-stopping centerpiece for holiday entertaining.
# What You'll Need:
→ Structural Base
01 - 1 box rectangular crackers such as water crackers or flatbread crackers
02 - 1 block sharp cheddar cheese, 8 oz
03 - 1 block cream cheese, softened, 8 oz
→ Meats
04 - 6 oz prosciutto
05 - 6 oz Genoa salami
06 - 4 oz soppressata
→ Cheeses
07 - 6 oz Swiss cheese, sliced
08 - 6 oz Havarti cheese, sliced
09 - 4 oz goat cheese
→ Edible Decorations
10 - 1/2 cup pitted green olives
11 - 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes
12 - 1/4 cup cornichons or small pickles
13 - 1/2 cup seedless red grapes
14 - 1/4 cup fresh rosemary sprigs
15 - 1/4 cup dried cranberries
16 - 1/4 cup sliced almonds
→ Extras and Dips
17 - 1/2 cup whipped cream cheese
18 - 2 tbsp chives or parsley, chopped
19 - 1/2 cup honey or fig jam
20 - Assorted breadsticks or pretzel rods
# Method:
01 - Arrange crackers in a rectangle on a large serving board to form the base of the chalet.
02 - Slice cheddar cheese into even slabs. Use softened cream cheese to bond the slabs together and build four upright walls.
03 - Layer Swiss and Havarti cheese slices in an overlapping pattern to create a shingled roof. Anchor and fill any gaps using additional cream cheese.
04 - Drape prosciutto and Genoa salami along the walls and roof for a rustic finish. Use soppressata slices for doors and window frames.
05 - Position olives and cornichons as bushes around the base. Stand breadsticks or pretzel rods upright for fencing. Distribute rosemary sprigs as miniature trees and scatter grapes, cherry tomatoes, and cranberries for festive color.
06 - Spread or pipe whipped cream cheese along the roof and edges for a snowy effect. Sprinkle sliced almonds over the cream cheese for added texture.
07 - Shape goat cheese into small windowpanes or pathway stones. Garnish with chopped chives or parsley for contrast.
08 - Present with honey or fig jam in small bowls for dipping. Encourage guests to dismantle the chalet and sample each element.
