Tuscan Sunburst with Goat Cheese (Printable Version)

Bright yellow peppers paired with zesty lemon goat cheese and crisp breadsticks for a flavorful starter.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 3 large yellow bell peppers, seeded and sliced into thin strips

→ Cheese Mixture

02 - 7 oz fresh goat cheese, softened
03 - 1 tablespoon lemon zest
04 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
05 - 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
06 - 1 tablespoon fresh chives, finely chopped
07 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Bread

08 - 12 Italian breadsticks (grissini)

# Directions:

01 - In a medium bowl, blend the goat cheese, lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, chives, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
02 - Lay the yellow bell pepper strips in a circular pattern on a large serving platter to mimic sun rays, leaving the center clear for the cheese.
03 - Spoon the lemon-infused goat cheese into the center of the platter, shaping it into a neat circle or dome.
04 - Place the breadsticks around the platter, extending outward from the cheese like sun rays.
05 - Offer immediately, encouraging guests to use breadsticks and peppers to scoop the cheese.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It looks restaurant-worthy but takes less time than you'd spend scrolling through your phone.
  • The brightness of the lemon goat cheese against golden peppers feels like summer on a platter.
  • Everyone at the table reaches for more, and you get to watch them discover the breadsticks work perfectly as little edible spoons.
02 -
  • Room-temperature goat cheese is non-negotiable; it's the difference between silky and grainy, and people will taste the difference.
  • Cut your pepper strips thin and uniform so they actually look like sun rays instead of random vegetable pieces—it matters more than you'd think for how satisfying the dish feels.
03 -
  • Slice your peppers ahead of time and store them in a damp paper towel in the fridge; they stay crisp and you're one step ahead when guests arrive.
  • The real magic happens when people gather around and start scooping—it's interactive food that brings people together, which is worth more than perfect presentation.
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