Checkerboard Appetizer: The Viral TikTok Recipe with Comté and Blackberries
You might have seen, just like I did, this viral TikTok recipe: cubes of feta and watermelon arranged in a checkerboard for an elegant starter. When I came across it, I immediately thought of trying a more French version with my favorite cheese, Comté, paired with blackberries! The result looks amazing, and I know it’s going to become a classic every time I host friends.
An elegant starter inspired by a viral recipe
I’m not really one to follow viral recipes… and yet, this appetizer caught my eye because it’s so pretty! I confess, I’d never have come up with the idea for this checkerboard without social networking.
In fact, it was thanks to Instagram and TikTok that I discovered other great recipes, like the famous Baked Feta Pasta that I still make regularly today. Incidentally, one of my own recipes has also gone viral: my Tarte Tatin with caramelized onions. A must-try, why not with this comté checkerboard as a starter!
Recipe card
Checkerboard Appetizer: The Viral TikTok Recipe with Comté and Blackberries
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Ingredients
- 1½ cup of Comté cheese 150 g
- 15 blackberries
- 1 drizzle extra-virgin olive oil
- A few sprigs of fresh thyme
Instructions
- Using a sharp knife, remove the rind from the Comté and cut into 2 cm cubes.
- Arrange the comté cheese cubes and blackberries on a plate, alternating them to form a pretty checkerboard pattern.
- Just before serving, drizzle with olive oil and place a few thyme leaves on each Comté cube.
- Pepper lightly and serve immediately, accompanied by slices of toast.
Nutrition
My Tips for a Pretty Aperitif Checkerboard!
This recipe is super simple but I still have a few tips to give you:
- Make-ahead: Prepare the checkerboard a few hours in advance and keep in a cool place. Just add the oil and thyme at the last minute.
- Variation ideas:
- Cheeses: replace comté with feta cheese (as in the original TikTok recipe), brie, small mozzarella balls or Emmental.
- Fruits/vegetables: try cubes of watermelon, melon, olives or even cucumber.
If you’re looking for other elegant starter ideas, try my salmon rillettes, my cold melon, basil and mint soup, perfect for a refined summer meal, or my savory herb and parmesan cookies, ideal for a chic aperitif!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can assemble the checkerboard a few hours beforehand, but add the oil and thyme just before serving.
Use a sharp knife to cut evenly-sized cubes and line them up neatly on your dish.
You can replace the blackberries with cubes of watermelon, melon, grapes, olives or even cherry tomatoes.
delicious and easy…great seasonal appy!
Thank you Mona!
My granddaughter and I made this for her birthday party. Easy, fun to make and delicious💕
So happy your granddaughter tried this recipe !