Charcuterie for a vampire

Celebrate the lunar eclipse with a blood red cheese board

Originally created for our 2017 Vampire Lair Halloween party, this cheese tray summons blood red colors from fruits and veggies to create a platter that is sensual and sinister. What a better night to bring it back than tonight’s lunar eclipse when the deepest and darkest part of Earth’s shadow, called the umbra, moves over the Moon? Sunlight scattering through Earth’s atmosphere will tint the Moon orange then red at the moment of complete eclipse evoking that same sense of beauty and dread.

Ingredients

Pomegranate

Pomegranate balsamic vinegar

Maple balsamic and thyme strawberry jam (or other red colored jam)

Red grapes

Roasted tomato

Pickled beets

Sweet peppers

Mozzarella bocconcini

Wensleydale & Cranberries cheese

Brie or other semi-ripened farmers cheese

Black sesame crackers

First, arrange the cheese. The bocconcini look delightfully spooky in red depression glass.

Place the the farmers cheese and Wensleydale opposite the mozzarella.

Add small bowls to hold the pickled peppers, tomatoes, and beets to prevent the juices from making the other items on the board soggy.

Next, cut the top off the pomegranate and score down the side to pop open the fruit. Lay out the pomegranate and grapes around the cheeses.

Fill in any open spaces on the board with crackers.

For a finishing touch of red and burst of flavor, spoon the jam over top of the brie/farmers cheese. Drizzle the mozzarella with balsamic vinegar and sprinkle with pomegranate seeds.