Golden Chessboard Salad
Based on:
TypeStarter
Serves4 people
DateSeptember 28, 2026
Golden croutons and cheese form a chessboard, with eggs as pieces: a winning starter.
A crisp starter with golden croutons and cheese cubes arranged as a chessboard. Four halved quail eggs stand as chess pieces, referencing the youngest chess grandmaster. A fresh, light appetizer that brings a sense of victory to the table.
Ingredients
- 8 slices white sandwich bread
- 150 g young Gouda cheese
- 4 quail eggs
- 1 head baby romaine lettuce
- 1 small cucumber
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp mustard
- Salt and pepper
Method
- Preheat the oven to 200°C.
- Cut the bread into 2x2 cm cubes. Drizzle with 2 tbsp olive oil and bake until golden, 8-10 minutes.
- Cut the cheese into 2x2 cm cubes.
- Boil the quail eggs for 4 minutes, cool in cold water, peel, and halve.
- Slice the cucumber into thin ribbons with a peeler.
- Mix lemon juice, mustard, 2 tbsp olive oil, salt and pepper for the dressing.
- Arrange lettuce leaves in a square on the plate. Place croutons and cheese cubes in a chessboard pattern (4x4).
- Place a halved quail egg on four random corners as chess pieces. Drape cucumber ribbons playfully around the board.
- Drizzle with dressing just before serving.
Serving notes
- Serve on a large, square white plate for maximum chess effect.
- Add some edible gold glitter to the cheese cubes for extra show.