Diamond Inlay Appetizer Elegant

# What You'll Need:

→ Cream Cheese Layer

01 - 7 oz cream cheese, softened

02 - 1 tbsp sour cream

03 - 1 tsp lemon juice

04 - Pinch of salt

→ Center Diamond

05 - 1.5 oz black caviar (optional for pescatarian version)

06 - 1.5 oz black olive tapenade (vegetarian option)

→ Garnish & Serving

07 - 1 tbsp finely chopped chives or dill

08 - Crackers, blinis, or toasted baguette slices

# Step-by-Step Directions:

01 - In a mixing bowl, blend cream cheese, sour cream, lemon juice, and salt until smooth and fluffy.

02 - Place an 3-inch diameter round cookie cutter or ring mold on the serving platter.

03 - Using a small spoon or piping bag, create a thick, even ring of the cream cheese mixture around the inside edge of the mold, leaving the center hollow.

04 - Spoon caviar or tapenade into the center, smoothing it to form a diamond shape.

05 - Gently lift the ring mold to reveal a clean inlay of the cream cheese ring surrounding the center filling.

06 - Sprinkle chopped chives or dill over the top for color and freshness.

07 - Serve immediately with crackers, blinis, or toasted baguette slices.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -

It looks impossibly fancy but requires zero cooking skill or heat, just a steady hand and a mold.
You can make it vegetarian with tapenade or go full luxury with caviar depending on what feels right that day.

02 -

If you're using real caviar, assemble this right before serving—warm hands and time are its enemies, and the pearls can burst if handled carelessly.
The cream cheese mixture must be completely smooth with zero lumps, or when you remove the mold, bits will crumble away and ruin your lines.

03 -