Nautical Anchor Cheese Board (Print Version)

Coastal-themed cheese, fruit, and snack board shaped like an anchor with blue-and-white accents.

# Components:

→ Cheeses

01 - 5.3 oz creamy brie, cut into wedges
02 - 4.2 oz herbed goat cheese, rolled into small balls
03 - 3.5 oz blue cheese, crumbled or sliced

→ Meats (optional)

04 - 4.2 oz smoked salmon slices
05 - 3.5 oz prosciutto

→ Breads & Crackers

06 - 3.5 oz large twisted pretzels (rope-like)
07 - 2.8 oz round water crackers
08 - 2.1 oz baguette slices

→ Fruits

09 - 3.5 oz blueberries
10 - 2.8 oz black grapes
11 - 1 small apple, sliced
12 - 1.8 oz dried apricots

→ Vegetables

13 - 1 small cucumber, sliced
14 - 2.8 oz sugar snap peas
15 - 1.8 oz radishes, halved

→ Dips & Spreads

16 - 2.8 oz whipped cream cheese, tinted light blue with natural food coloring
17 - 2.1 oz tzatziki or herbed yogurt dip

→ Accents & Garnishes

18 - 1.4 oz white chocolate seashells or candies (optional)
19 - Fresh dill sprigs or edible flowers (blue/white)

# Directions:

01 - Select a large wooden board or serving platter to serve as the base for the arrangement.
02 - Arrange large twisted pretzels in the center to create an anchor shape, adjusting and overlapping to mimic rope texture.
03 - Place small bowls of whipped blue cream cheese and tzatziki at the anchor's ends or eye positions.
04 - Fill the anchor outline with alternating clusters of cheeses, smoked salmon, and prosciutto as desired for visual appeal.
05 - Distribute blueberries and black grapes along the anchor outline and fill gaps to add coastal color pops.
06 - Place cucumber slices, sugar snap peas, radishes, and apple slices around the anchor shape, maintaining a blue-and-white theme.
07 - Arrange water crackers and baguette slices outside the anchor for easy accessibility.
08 - Decorate with white chocolate seashells and edible flowers; sprinkle fresh dill sprigs for a seaside accent.
09 - Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to present.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a conversation starter that gets everyone excited before they even reach for food—your guests will pause and admire it first
  • The entire board comes together in just 30 minutes, so you can spend more time enjoying your guests than stressed in the kitchen
  • It naturally adapts to any dietary preference, from fully vegetarian to pescatarian, without feeling like a compromise
  • The blue-and-white palette creates instant summer vibes, even if you're nowhere near the ocean
02 -
  • Arrange your board no more than 2 hours before serving—cheeses will weep if they sit too long, and crackers will soften. The best boards are made with purpose right before your guests arrive.
  • Room temperature cheese tastes infinitely better than cold cheese. Pull your board out of the refrigerator 15 minutes before serving and your guests will taste the difference immediately.
  • The pretzel anchor is your foundation—if you arrange it last, you'll end up rearranging everything else. Always build your board with the anchors outline first, then fill in around it.
03 -
  • Buy your ingredients the day before but arrange your board only 1-2 hours before serving. This is the secret to boards that look pristine and taste fresh.
  • If you're nervous about the color tinting, use a food-safe marker to paint the white seashells with food coloring—it's easier than tinting the entire cream cheese, and just as effective visually.
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