Southwest Mesa Cheese Stacks

# Required Ingredients:

→ Crackers

01 - 24 assorted crackers (multigrain, wheat, rye, or seeded; varying shapes and sizes)

→ Cheeses

02 - 3.5 oz cheddar cheese, sliced

03 - 3.5 oz pepper jack cheese, sliced

04 - 3.5 oz Monterey Jack cheese, sliced

05 - 1.75 oz smoked gouda, sliced

06 - 1.75 oz blue cheese, cubed (optional)

→ Garnishes

07 - 1 small red bell pepper, thinly sliced

08 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves

09 - 1 small jalapeño, thinly sliced (optional)

10 - 1 tablespoon toasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas)

# Preparation Steps:

01 - Slice cheeses slightly smaller than the crackers to facilitate stacking and enhance presentation.

02 - On a large serving platter, construct stacks by alternating crackers and cheese slices, varying types and layers between 3 and 7 to evoke rock formations.

03 - Incorporate different cheese varieties within each tower for visual interest and diverse flavors.

04 - Insert bell pepper, cilantro, and jalapeño slices between layers or place atop stacks to simulate vegetation and add color.

05 - Sprinkle toasted pumpkin seeds around the base of each stack to resemble desert floor textures.

06 - Serve immediately, or cover loosely and refrigerate until ready to serve.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -

It looks like you spent hours in the kitchen when really you just assembled things artfully.
The contrast of crispy crackers, creamy cheese, and bright peppers makes every bite feel intentional.
You can customize each tower to your taste without a single recipe measurement argument.

02 -

Room-temperature cheese tastes infinitely better and spreads more forgivingly on crackers than cold cheese straight from the fridge.
Your cracker choice matters more than you'd think—a sad, soft cracker will collapse under even modest weight, so pick ones with actual structure.

03 -