Double Helix Appetizer (Printable)

A colorful, fresh appetizer featuring layered vegetables and cheese arranged in a twisting double helix.

# What You Need:

→ Base Lines

01 - 3.5 oz black olives, pitted and sliced
02 - 3.5 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 3.5 oz cucumber, cut into thin half-moons
04 - 3.5 oz roasted red peppers, sliced
05 - 3.5 oz smoked salmon or marinated tofu strips (optional)

→ Cheese Rungs

06 - 5.3 oz mozzarella cheese, cut into thin strips or small cubes
07 - 3.5 oz cheddar cheese, cut into thin strips or small cubes

→ Accompaniments

08 - 1.8 oz fresh basil leaves
09 - 1.8 oz crackers or gluten-free crackers (optional)
10 - 1 tbsp olive oil
11 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Steps:

01 - On a large serving board or platter, draw two long, parallel, gently twisting lines using alternating ingredients such as black olives on one line and cherry tomatoes on the other to create color contrast.
02 - Place additional lines with cucumber, roasted red peppers, or smoked salmon/marinated tofu strips to deepen the contrast and build out the helix strands.
03 - Connect the two parallel lines at regular intervals using mozzarella and cheddar cheese strips arranged perpendicularly to imitate DNA base pair rungs.
04 - Tuck fresh basil leaves along the lines to add color and aroma.
05 - Drizzle lightly with olive oil and season with freshly ground black pepper according to taste.
06 - Offer crackers or gluten-free crackers on the side as an accompaniment if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like edible art, and everyone will assume you spent hours in the kitchen—spoiler: you only need 25 minutes
  • No cooking required, so your kitchen stays cool and your stress stays low
  • It's naturally vegetarian, gluten-free friendly, and works for almost any dietary need with simple swaps
  • The visual impact makes it perfect for themed parties, science lovers, or anyone who appreciates a little whimsy with their appetizers
02 -
  • Cut your vegetables just before assembly. If you prep too early, the moisture from tomatoes and cucumber will start to weep, creating wet spots on your board that look less intentional.
  • The cheese pieces don't need to be perfectly uniform—slightly irregular cuts actually look more artisanal and interesting. Precision is for the arrangement, not the prep.
  • If your olive oil is particularly robust, go easy with it. This isn't a dressed salad; it's just a whisper of moisture to tie flavors together.
03 -
  • Mini skewers or toothpicks aren't just functional—they keep cheese rungs in place and give guests a graceful way to remove pieces without collapsing the structure
  • If you're concerned about presentation stability, you can very lightly mist the board with water mixed with a tiny bit of lemon juice before arranging—this creates just enough grip for vegetables to stay put without looking damp
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