Crimson Tide vibrant appetizer (Printable)

A striking blend of spiced chorizo, sweet cherries, and roasted peppers atop crisp white crackers.

# What You Need:

→ Red Ingredients

01 - 4.2 oz cured chorizo sausage, thinly sliced
02 - 3.5 oz fresh cherries, pitted and halved
03 - 1 large roasted red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
04 - 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped (optional, for garnish)

→ Crackers

05 - 32 plain white crackers (e.g., water crackers, rice crackers)

→ Dressing

06 - 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
07 - 1 tsp balsamic glaze
08 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Directions:

01 - Arrange the white crackers closely together on a large serving platter, forming a base layer.
02 - Form a flowing S-shape over the crackers by layering overlapping slices of chorizo, roasted red pepper strips, and cherry halves, alternating for color and texture.
03 - Lightly drizzle extra virgin olive oil and balsamic glaze over the arranged ingredients.
04 - Add freshly ground black pepper to taste.
05 - Optionally garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks restaurant-worthy but comes together in under 25 minutes without any fussy techniques.
  • The spicy-sweet-savory balance hits every taste bud, and nobody can stop eating just one.
  • You can prep the components ahead and arrange it moments before guests arrive, which feels like a cheat code for entertaining.
02 -
  • Room temperature is your friend here—if everything is cold, the flavors taste muted and the texture of the chorizo becomes rubbery, so let your components sit out for 10 minutes before assembling.
  • The S-curve isn't just pretty; it's actually functional because it guides people to pick up a perfectly balanced bite of crackers, spice, sweetness, and savory all at once.
03 -
  • Slice your chorizo at an angle rather than straight across—it creates longer, more elegant pieces that flow better in the S-curve and catch the light.
  • If you want the oil and glaze to shine visually, apply it right before serving with a small spoon, letting it pool in the cracks between crackers for drama.
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