Checkerboard Chalet Cheese Meats

# Needed Ingredients:

→ Cheeses

01 - 7 oz sharp cheddar cheese, cut into 0.6 inch cubes and slices

02 - 7 oz Swiss cheese, cut into 0.6 inch cubes and slices

→ Meats

03 - 7 oz smoked ham, cut into 0.6 inch cubes and slices

04 - 7 oz salami, cut into 0.6 inch cubes and slices

→ Garnishes & Extras

05 - 16 small fresh chives (for logs or roof beams)

06 - 8 cherry tomatoes, halved (optional, for decoration)

07 - 1 small bunch flat-leaf parsley (for greenery)

08 - 8 toothpicks or short skewers (for stability)

# Steps:

01 - Cut all cheese and meat into uniform 0.6 inch cubes and slices to achieve a precise checkerboard effect.

02 - Create a 4x4 grid on a large serving platter, alternating cheese slices (cheddar, Swiss) with meat slices (ham, salami), arranging tightly for a distinct pattern.

03 - On one side of the base, stack alternating cheese and meat cubes in a square footprint with 4 cubes per layer for 3 to 4 layers, securing with toothpicks or skewers as needed.

04 - Position cheese slices or cubes at an angle atop the chalet, securing them with chives as decorative beams for a roof effect.

05 - Surround the chalet with halved cherry tomatoes and parsley to simulate a garden or pathway.

06 - Serve immediately with small forks or cocktail picks for easy self-service.

# Expert Advice:

01 -

It's a conversation starter that actually tastes incredible, not just looks impressive.
Zero cooking required means you can pull this together while handling a dozen other party tasks.
The flavor combinations from sharp cheddar, Swiss, smoky ham, and salami are genuinely addictive.

02 -

Keep everything refrigerated until the moment you serve—the cheeses will get soft under warm lights and your stacked layers will lose their definition.
Cut your pieces with a sharp knife and wet it between cuts; this keeps the cheese clean and the edges crisp instead of jagged.

03 -