# Ingredient List:
→ 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, create two long, parallel, gently twisting lines by alternating ingredients such as black olives on one line and cherry tomatoes on the other to provide color contrast.
02 - Intersperse additional lines with cucumber, roasted red peppers, or smoked salmon/marinated tofu strips to enhance color contrast and fill out the strands.
03 - Place perpendicular rungs of mozzarella and cheddar cheese at regular intervals connecting the two parallel lines, mimicking the base pairs of a DNA double helix.
04 - Tuck fresh basil leaves along the lines to add aroma and a pop of green color.
05 - Drizzle lightly with olive oil and season with freshly ground black pepper. Serve with crackers on the side if desired.
