Fossil Soft Cheese Herbs

# What You'll Need:

→ Cheese

01 - 9 oz soft cheese (goat cheese, cream cheese, or ricotta)

→ Herbs & Imprints

02 - 1 small bunch fresh herbs (parsley, dill, cilantro, chervil, or mixed)

03 - 1 tbsp olive oil (optional, for brushing)

→ Nuts

04 - 3.5 oz assorted nuts (walnuts, pecans, almonds, hazelnuts), preferably in shell

05 - 1/2 tsp sea salt (optional, for sprinkling)

# Directions:

01 - Line a small tray or plate with parchment paper for easy removal.

02 - Spread the soft cheese about 3/4 inch thick into a rough oval or round shape on the tray, smoothing the top with a spatula.

03 - Press fresh herb sprigs, leaves, or fronds gently into the cheese surface to form fossil-like imprints. Carefully lift the herbs away to reveal detailed impressions.

04 - Lightly brush the cheese surface with olive oil for added sheen, if desired.

05 - Scatter cracked nuts and some shell fragments decoratively around the cheese for an archeological aesthetic.

06 - Sprinkle sea salt over the nuts and cheese if preferred.

07 - Serve immediately accompanied by crackers or fresh bread, or refrigerate until serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -

It looks like you spent hours on it but takes less time than brewing coffee.
People genuinely gasp when they see it, then realize it's something they can actually eat.
Naturally vegetarian and gluten-free, so it works for almost every table.

02 -

If the cheese is too warm it spreads like butter; if it's cold from the fridge it cracks—room temperature is the sweet spot.
Herbs release water as they sit, so press them just before serving rather than hours ahead, or they'll blur into the cheese like a smudged photograph.

03 -