Compass Rose Four Meats (Print Version)

Four meats arranged with a creamy dip, garnished with pickles and herbs for an elegant starter.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 3.5 oz smoked salmon
02 - 3.5 oz spicy chorizo, sliced
03 - 3.5 oz prosciutto, thinly sliced
04 - 3.5 oz roast beef, thinly sliced

→ Central Dip

05 - 7 oz cream cheese, softened
06 - 2 tbsp sour cream
07 - 2 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
08 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
09 - Salt and pepper, to taste

→ Garnishes and Accompaniments

10 - 1/2 cup pickled vegetables (cornichons, pearl onions)
11 - 1/2 cup assorted olives
12 - Fresh herbs (parsley, dill) for decoration
13 - Crackers or sliced baguette (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Combine cream cheese, sour cream, chives, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Stir until smooth. Transfer the mixture to a small serving bowl and place it at the center of a large platter.
02 - Fan the smoked salmon above the dip pointing upward (North). Place sliced chorizo below the dip pointing downward (South). Lay prosciutto to the right of the dip pointing right (East). Arrange roast beef to the left of the dip pointing left (West).
03 - Fill the spaces between the meat arrangements with pickled vegetables and assorted olives to enhance visual appeal and flavor balance.
04 - Decorate with fresh parsley and dill to add color and aroma to the presentation.
05 - Present the platter with crackers or baguette slices on the side if desired.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It looks impressive enough to make people think you spent hours planning, when really you spent twenty minutes arranging.
  • Every guest finds their favorite direction—some gravitate toward the briny salmon, others toward the spicy chorizo heat.
  • The creamy center dip ties everything together in a way that makes each meat taste even better.
  • It's naturally gluten-free if you skip the crackers, making it friendly for almost any dietary preference.
02 -
  • Room temperature meats taste better than cold ones—pull them out of the fridge fifteen minutes before serving so flavors actually sing.
  • The dip will separate slightly if made too far ahead, so mix it within an hour of serving or give it a quick stir right before guests arrive.
03 -
  • Slice all your meats moments before arranging if possible; they look fresher and taste better when not exposed to air.
  • If the dip seems a touch thick, a splash of heavy cream loosens it without diluting the flavors.
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