Fruit-and-Cheese Hors D'oeuvres

Slices of tangy fruit paste turn ordinary cheese and crackers into sophisticated hors d'oeuvres; arranged artistically on a tray, they're fit for a wedding. We paired white cheddar with plum paste on stoned-wheat crackers. Fruit pastes are also made from pear, apricot, fig, and quince and are available at gourmet stores. Choose any sharp cheese you like; slice to size of cracker, and top with a sliver of the paste -- the flavor is concentrated, so a little goes a long way. (Plum fruit paste by 34 Degrees.)