Black and White Formal Affair (Printable)

Elegant black and white platter with olives, mozzarella, rye bread, and almonds for sophisticated gatherings.

# Ingredient List:

→ Black Elements

01 - 3.5 oz pitted black olives (Kalamata or Niçoise)
02 - 8 slices dark rye bread
03 - 1 tablespoon black sesame seeds
04 - 8 black mission figs, halved (optional)

→ White Elements

05 - 7 oz fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini or ciliegine), drained
06 - 8 thin slices fresh mozzarella (large ball, sliced)
07 - 1 vanilla bean, seeds scraped
08 - 1 tablespoon white sesame seeds
09 - 16 peeled blanched almonds

→ Garnish and Assembly

10 - 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
11 - Flaky sea salt, to taste
12 - Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Cut dark rye bread slices into squares, triangles, or rectangles. Arrange in alternating rows or patterns on a large platter.
02 - Place black olives and mozzarella balls in alternating lines or circles to create a striking black-and-white contrast.
03 - Slice the large mozzarella ball and arrange slices in geometric shapes alongside the bread pieces.
04 - Sprinkle black sesame seeds over the white mozzarella and white sesame seeds over the rye bread for texture and visual interest.
05 - If desired, halve black mission figs and place them strategically for contrast and sweetness.
06 - Distribute peeled blanched almonds in minimalist clusters or lines as additional white accents.
07 - Drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the cheese and bread. Season lightly with flaky sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper if preferred.
08 - Scrape vanilla seeds from the pod and dot them artistically atop mozzarella slices for an elegant aromatic touch.
09 - Serve immediately to preserve crispness or cover and refrigerate for up to 1 hour before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours preparing, but honest confession—it takes less than 30 minutes and mostly involves beautiful arranging.
  • Every ingredient is a star player; nothing gets lost or forgotten on the plate.
  • It's a conversation starter that somehow makes you look like you attended culinary school, even if you're just good at placing things in straight lines.
02 -
  • Pat your mozzarella completely dry before arranging. Even the smallest amount of moisture will break your geometric spell by making things slide and weep. I learned this after my first attempt ended with everything slowly migrating across the platter like a failed art installation.
  • The vanilla bean is polarizing, and that's okay. Some people find it revelatory; others think savory and sweet shouldn't meet on an appetizer. Trust your guests and your instincts—you can absolutely skip it if you prefer pure savory sophistication.
03 -
  • Assemble this no more than 2 hours before serving. The rye bread will gradually absorb moisture and lose its structural integrity, and the mozzarella will begin to pool liquid. Timing is everything with something this visually dependent.
  • Use a large platter—white or neutral colored, nothing too busy. Your black and white elements need breathing room to be the stars. I learned this when I used a patterned platter and suddenly my careful arrangement felt lost and confused.
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