Southwest Mesa Cheese Stacks (Printable Version)

Stacked crackers and cheeses with colorful herbs and spices create a vibrant, handheld Southwest-style appetizer.

# Components:

→ Crackers

01 - 24 assorted crackers (multigrain, wheat, rye, or seeded; varying shapes and sizes)

→ Cheeses

02 - 3.5 oz cheddar cheese, sliced
03 - 3.5 oz pepper jack cheese, sliced
04 - 3.5 oz Monterey Jack cheese, sliced
05 - 1.75 oz smoked gouda, sliced
06 - 1.75 oz blue cheese, cut into cubes (optional for variety)

→ Garnishes

07 - 1 small red bell pepper, thinly sliced
08 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves
09 - 1 small jalapeño, thinly sliced (optional for heat)
10 - 1 tablespoon toasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas)

# Preparation steps:

01 - Slice cheeses slightly smaller than crackers to enable neat stacking and enhanced presentation.
02 - On a large serving platter, alternate crackers and cheese slices, creating towers varying from 3 to 7 layers to resemble flat-topped mesas.
03 - Use different types of cheese within each stack to provide both visual appeal and flavor complexity.
04 - Insert slices of red bell pepper, cilantro leaves, and jalapeño between some layers or atop stacks to simulate vegetation and enhance color.
05 - Scatter toasted pumpkin seeds around the base of the stacks to evoke a desert floor effect.
06 - Serve immediately or cover loosely and refrigerate until ready to present.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Takes just 15 minutes but looks like you spent all afternoon on it.
  • Everyone gravitates toward these stacks without thinking, so they disappear fast.
  • You can customize the cheeses based on what's in your fridge, so it never feels repetitive.
02 -
  • Let your cheeses sit out for a few minutes before assembling so they're pliable enough to complement the crackers without cracking or sliding around.
  • The order matters less than variety—make sure each stack has at least two or three different cheeses so the flavors surprise you as you eat.
03 -
  • Room-temperature cheese is nonnegotiable—it's the difference between stacks that hold together and ones that slide apart the moment someone picks them up.
  • The pumpkin seeds aren't just garnish; they're the detail that makes people pause and actually look at what they're eating before they taste it.
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