Compass Rose Four Meats (Printable)

Four meats arranged in a compass layout with a creamy dip at the center and savory garnishes.

# 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 (e.g., cornichons, pearl onions)
11 - 1/2 cup assorted olives
12 - Fresh herbs (e.g., parsley, dill) for decoration
13 - Crackers or sliced baguette (optional)

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Combine cream cheese, sour cream, chives, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl until smooth. Transfer to a small serving dish and position at the center of the serving platter.
02 - Fan the smoked salmon above the dip pointing north, place chorizo slices below pointing south, lay prosciutto to the right pointing east, and arrange roast beef to the left pointing west.
03 - Fill the spaces between each meat section with pickled vegetables and assorted olives to create variety and balance.
04 - Decorate the platter with fresh herbs to enhance color and aroma.
05 - Present alongside crackers or sliced baguette if desired to provide accompanying texture.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours planning when it actually takes thirty minutes flat.
  • Each guest finds their favorite flavor without you having to make four separate dishes.
  • The visual arrangement does half the talking for you—people photograph it before they even taste it.
02 -
  • Don't assemble this more than two hours before serving; the meats can start to curl at the edges and lose that fresh, glossy appeal.
  • If your cream cheese isn't already soft, it'll resist mixing and create a lumpy dip—let it sit at room temperature for at least an hour first.
03 -
  • Buy your meats from the deli counter and ask them to slice everything paper-thin—it makes a visible difference in how elegant the final platter looks.
  • A light squeeze of fresh lemon juice over the smoked salmon just before serving prevents it from oxidizing and keeps it looking brilliant pink.
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