A TASTE OF CRIME FICTION: THE ULTIMATE SUMMER PLATTER

Escaping the Tension of the Sean McPherson Thrillers with the Perfect, No-Cook Afternoon Dip

Niall MacCullough (of Sean McPherson crime thriller fame) has been busy in the main house kitchen at Pines & Quill. When he isn't navigating high-stakes suspense, he's perfecting a gorgeous, savory dip that's absolutely tailor-made for warm summer afternoons.

The best part? It takes minutes to assemble and requires zero cooking. Here is how he pulls it together:

The Base

Bring a round of Boursin cheese to room temperature so it is soft and pliable. Niall opts for the classic Garlic & Fine Herbs flavor, but any variety works beautifully. Smooth it out evenly across your favorite serving platter using the back of a spoon to create an inviting canvas.

The Toppings

Layer the following ingredients generously over the cheese base to create a vibrant, texturized mosaic:

The Olives & Peppers: Red Peppadew peppers, green olives, and black olives (to taste), sliced in half lengthwise for the perfect bite.

The Charcuterie: Savory prosciutto ham, torn or chopped into bite-sized ribbons.

The Freshness: A handful of aromatic, freshly torn basil leaves.

The Crunch: Chopped pistachio nuts scattered across the top (toasted cashews make an excellent substitute).

The Finish

The Oil: Drizzle with high-quality olive oil. Niall infuses extra flavor by using a basil and sundried tomato blend, but a premium plain extra virgin olive oil works perfectly too.

The Sweet Heat: Drizzle liberally with honey—Niall highly recommends hot honey to add a subtle kick that cuts through the rich creaminess of the cheese.

To Serve

Surround the platter with crisp crostini (thin, golden slices of toasted or grilled bread) and let your guests dig right in.

Are you a fan of sweet heat, or do you prefer a classic honey drizzle? Let me know how you would customize Niall's summer platter in the comments below!