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.
My granddaughter and I made this for her birthday party. Easy, fun to make and delicious💕
So happy your granddaughter tried this recipe !