Compass Rose Meat Platter (Printable Version)

A flavorful assortment of four meats arranged around a luscious creamy dip, perfect for entertaining guests.

# 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 - ½ cup pickled vegetables (cornichons, pearl onions)
11 - ½ cup assorted olives
12 - Fresh herbs (parsley, dill) for decoration
13 - Crackers or sliced baguette (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - In a bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, chopped chives, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth. Transfer to a small serving bowl and place at the center of a large platter.
02 - Fan 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 - Place pickled vegetables and assorted olives between the meat sections to fill the gaps evenly.
04 - Decorate the platter with fresh parsley and dill for color and aroma.
05 - Offer crackers or sliced baguette on the side as an optional accompaniment.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It feels like a showstopper but comes together in half an hour, leaving you time to pour a drink and relax before guests arrive.
  • Every bite is different depending on which meat and dip combination you choose, so it keeps people coming back to the platter.
  • The visual arrangement does the entertaining for you—guests are so charmed by the compass concept that they barely notice you didn't cook anything.
02 -
  • Slice your meats just before assembly—they'll look fresher, hold their shape better, and taste more vibrant than if you prep them hours ahead.
  • Cold is your friend here; everything should come straight from the fridge to the platter, especially the cream cheese dip, which becomes too soft at room temperature.
  • The compass directions matter more for visual storytelling than strict precision—aim for the spirit of north, south, east, and west rather than a surveyor's accuracy.
03 -
  • Ask your butcher to slice everything on the same day and store it in separate containers so you can assemble without stress right before serving.
  • A squeeze of fresh lemon juice on the salmon just before assembling keeps it looking bright and prevents oxidation that can dull its color.
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