Yin Yang Balance Board (Printable Version)

A balanced platter with dark and light ingredients creating a harmonious blend of flavors and textures.

# What You Need:

→ Dark Side

01 - 1 cup pitted black olives
02 - 2.8 oz dark rye crackers
03 - 2.8 oz aged balsamic-glazed mushrooms, sliced (optional)
04 - 2.1 oz black grapes or blackberries
05 - 1.76 oz dark chocolate squares (70% cacao or above)

→ Light Side

06 - 4.2 oz white cheese (goat cheese, brie, or mozzarella), sliced or cubed
07 - 2.8 oz rice crackers or water crackers
08 - 2.1 oz raw cashews or blanched almonds
09 - 1.76 oz dried apricots or white grapes
10 - 1 tablespoon honey, for drizzling (optional)

# How To Make:

01 - Place a large, round serving board or platter on your work surface.
02 - Using a small bowl or circular cutter as a guide, lightly mark an S-shaped curve down the center to create the yin-yang division.
03 - On one half of the board, neatly arrange the black olives, dark rye crackers, balsamic mushrooms, black grapes or blackberries, and dark chocolate pieces.
04 - On the opposite half, place the white cheese, rice or water crackers, cashews or almonds, dried apricots or white grapes, and drizzle with honey if desired.
05 - Use a small round cheese ball or olive as the dot in each swirl to mimic the yin-yang symbol for visual balance.
06 - Present immediately and encourage guests to enjoy both sides for contrasting flavors and textures.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • No cooking required—just pure creativity and about 20 minutes to make something that looks like you spent hours in the kitchen
  • The yin and yang design is an absolute conversation starter that actually means something, not just for show
  • Every bite is a tiny surprise because you're constantly discovering new flavor combinations as you move across the board
  • It's naturally vegetarian and incredibly flexible, so you can adapt it to whatever's in your pantry without losing the magic
02 -
  • Don't arrange this more than 10 minutes before serving—the crackers will start absorbing moisture from the cheese and lose their crispness. This board is meant to be fresh and immediate.
  • The yin and yang curve is just a guide; your version doesn't need to be perfect. I spent my first attempt obsessing over symmetry until I realized that imperfection is actually more beautiful and approachable.
03 -
  • Arrange the board vertically if you can—lean it slightly toward your guests so they can see the whole composition and it becomes part of the visual story of the meal
  • Use odd numbers when grouping items; three mushrooms look intentional, two look accidental, and four feels like you weren't sure
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