Apple Slices With Cheese Cubes

Ingredients

• 2 apples – firm, sweet-tart variety such as Honeycrisp, Gala, or Pink Lady; cored and sliced
• 6 ounces cheddar cheese – cut into 0.75-inch cubes
• 1 tablespoons lemon juice – fresh, for tossing apples to prevent browning
• 1 teaspoons honey – optional, for drizzling before serving
• 0.25 teaspoons ground cinnamon – optional, light sprinkle over apples for serving

Instructions

1. Rinse and dry the apples, then cut each apple into quarters, remove the core, and slice each quarter into thin wedges about 0.25–0.5 inch thick.
2. Place the apple slices in a medium bowl and drizzle with the lemon juice. Toss gently to coat all the slices so they stay crisp-looking and do not brown.
3. Cut the cheddar cheese into cubes about 0.75 inch on each side so they are easy to pick up and pair with the apple slices.
4. Arrange the apple slices in a circular pattern or rows on a platter. Add the cheese cubes in the center of the platter or in small clusters alongside the apples.
5. If using honey, lightly drizzle it over the apples, being careful not to coat the cheese so it is easy to handle. If using cinnamon, sprinkle a small pinch evenly over the apples.
6. Serve the apple slices with cheese cubes immediately, or cover the platter and refrigerate for up to 1 hour before serving for the best texture and color.