Serengeti Sunset Apricot Gouda

# What You'll Need:

01 - 12 dried apricots, plump and deep orange

02 - 7 oz smoked Gouda cheese, sliced into thin rectangles

03 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives

04 - 1 tablespoon toasted pumpkin seeds

05 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

01 - Place parchment paper or a serving platter on a clean work surface.

02 - Arrange dried apricots in a horizontal row with slight overlap to form the first band.

03 - Position a layer of sliced smoked Gouda just above the apricot band, allowing edges to touch and overlap slightly.

04 - Continue layering apricots and smoked Gouda, creating at least three bands of each for a layered sunset effect.

05 - Gently press each layer to keep bands neat and aligned.

06 - Sprinkle chopped chives, toasted pumpkin seeds, and freshly ground black pepper over the top as desired.

07 - Serve immediately using a sharp knife for clean slices or provide cocktail picks for easy handling.

01 -

Zero cooking required—seriously, this comes together in fifteen minutes with just your hands and a knife.
The contrast between the chewy sweetness of apricots and the rich smokiness of Gouda feels unexpectedly sophisticated.
It looks like you spent hours arranging it, which means the compliments feel way out of proportion to the effort.

02 -

The quality of your cheese matters more than you'd think—a flavorless smoked Gouda will make this taste flat, so taste before you commit.
Room temperature is your friend here; everything tastes better and the flavors are more pronounced when nothing is cold.

03 -

A sharp knife makes all the difference when slicing—a dull blade will tear the cheese and crumble the apricots, so take thirty seconds to sharpen before you start.
If Gouda feels too pricey for your needs, good smoked cheddar is a genuine substitute that doesn't compromise the soul of the dish.