Compass Rose Four Meats (Printable)

An elegant starter with four meats arranged around a creamy dip, garnished with olives and fresh herbs for vibrant flavors.

# What You 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 (e.g., cornichons, pearl onions)
11 - ½ cup assorted olives
12 - Fresh herbs (e.g., parsley, dill) for decoration
13 - Crackers or sliced baguette (optional)

# How-To:

01 - Combine cream cheese, sour cream, chives, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl until smooth. Transfer to a small serving bowl and place at the center of a large platter.
02 - Fan the smoked salmon above the dip pointing north. Position chorizo slices below the dip pointing south. Lay prosciutto to the right pointing east. Arrange roast beef on the left pointing west.
03 - Fill spaces between the meat sections with pickled vegetables and assorted olives.
04 - Garnish the platter with fresh herbs for added color and aroma.
05 - Present with crackers or baguette slices on the side if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks stunning on the table without requiring any real cooking skill—just thoughtful arrangement.
  • Four distinct meats mean everyone finds something they crave, and the communal dip brings it all together.
  • Prep happens entirely ahead of time, so you can actually enjoy your guests instead of fussing in the kitchen.
02 -
  • The dip must be at room temperature or it will firm up and become hard to spread—take it out of the fridge 15 minutes before serving if you've chilled it.
  • Cured meats release moisture as they sit, so arrange them just 1 to 2 hours before your guests arrive to keep them from getting slippery or losing their shape.
03 -
  • Cold meats from the deli counter will gradually warm and release their flavors as they sit—this is actually desirable, so don't stress if the platter isn't ice cold when service begins.
  • If you want the platter to last longer than two hours, keep the dip separate and arrange the meats on dry platters, bringing them together just before guests arrive.
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