Floating Island Cheese Wheel (Printable View)

A cheese wheel surrounded by blue yogurt dip and grapes creates a dramatic party centerpiece.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cheese

01 - 1 large wheel soft-ripened cheese (Brie or Camembert), approximately 1.1 lbs

→ Dip

02 - 14 oz plain Greek yogurt
03 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
04 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
06 - Blue food coloring (gel or natural), quantity as needed

→ Garnishes

07 - 9 oz seedless black or red grapes
08 - Fresh herbs (optional, for decoration)

# How To Make It:

01 - Place the cheese wheel at the center of a large serving platter to serve as the island.
02 - In a medium mixing bowl, combine Greek yogurt, lemon juice, garlic powder, and salt. Stir until smooth.
03 - Add blue food coloring gradually, stirring continuously until a deep, lake-like blue hue is achieved.
04 - Carefully spoon the blue-tinted yogurt mixture around the cheese wheel to form a surrounding lake.
05 - Decorate the edge of the yogurt lake with seedless grapes, forming an attractive border.
06 - If desired, adorn the cheese island with fresh herbs or edible flowers for enhanced presentation.
07 - Present immediately alongside crackers or bread for accompaniment.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks so impressive that people assume you spent hours creating it, when really it takes fifteen minutes.
  • The tangy, garlicky dip pairs beautifully with creamy cheese and sweet grapes in a way that feels balanced and sophisticated.
  • You can make it entirely ahead of time and just pull it from the fridge moments before guests arrive.
02 -
  • If your yogurt breaks or separates, that means you mixed too aggressively or your yogurt was already a bit past its prime; start fresh with a new batch and stir gently next time.
  • The cheese will soften slightly as it sits, especially if your kitchen is warm, so this is actually perfect for spreading and softening the first layer for guests.
03 -
  • If you're worried about the yogurt spreading too much, chill your platter in the freezer for ten minutes before assembly so everything stays exactly where you put it.
  • Always taste your yogurt dip before the guests arrive; one person's preferred saltiness is another's bland, so season to your liking and trust your palate.
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