Pin This I'll never forget the summer afternoon when my friend Sarah pulled out a massive wooden board and started arranging cheeses, crackers, and colorful ingredients into the most unexpected shape—an anchor. We were hosting a casual seaside-themed dinner party, and she transformed what could have been a ordinary charcuterie board into a conversation piece that had everyone gathering around before we'd even sat down to eat. That's when I realized that the best entertaining moments aren't about complicated recipes; they're about the joy of creating something beautiful that brings people together. This anchor board has become my go-to when I want to impress without stress.
I made this board for my daughter's beach-themed birthday party last summer, and the kids were mesmerized by the anchor shape. They kept circling the board, building their own little flavor combinations, and I watched them discover that they loved goat cheese, blueberries, and prosciutto together in ways they never would have at a regular meal. That's when I understood the real magic of a beautiful board—it's not just about feeding people, it's about creating an experience where everyone feels like they're part of something special.
Ingredients
- Creamy brie, 150 g, cut into wedges: Brie brings a luxurious, buttery richness that anchors the board. Cut it into generous wedges rather than cubes—they're more elegant and easier to serve. Let it sit out for 10 minutes before serving so it becomes silky and spreadable.
- Herbed goat cheese, 120 g, rolled into small balls: These tangy little spheres add texture and a pop of brightness. Roll them right before serving to keep them looking fresh and professional.
- Blue cheese, 100 g, crumbled or sliced: The bold, funky flavor of blue cheese makes people pause and appreciate the complexity. If your guests are timid about blue cheese, slice it thinly so they can take just a whisper of flavor.
- Smoked salmon slices, 120 g: The seafood element that ties the whole nautical theme together. Arrange them in loose, casual waves rather than neat stacks—it feels more inviting.
- Prosciutto, 100 g: This adds a salty, delicate flavor that plays beautifully against the sweet fruits. Tear it into pieces rather than leaving it in full slices; it feels more approachable.
- Large twisted pretzels, 100 g: These form the actual anchor outline, so choose pretzels that are sturdy enough to arrange but still flexible enough to bend into the anchor shape. They're your foundation.
- Round water crackers, 80 g: Neutral and crispy, they won't overpower the delicate flavors you're building. They're also sturdy enough to hold spreadable cheeses without breaking.
- Baguette slices, 60 g: Toast them lightly if you make them ahead so they stay crispy. Untoasted they're soft and welcoming, which is equally valid depending on your vibe.
- Blueberries, 100 g: These aren't just garnish—their sweetness balances the salty meats and tangy cheeses. Plus, they're the perfect color for your coastal palette.
- Black grapes, 80 g: They add juiciness and contrast beautifully against the white cheeses. Their slight tartness is really important to the flavor balance.
- Apple, 1 small, sliced: A Granny Smith works best because it's tart and won't brown as quickly. Toss the slices in a tiny bit of lemon juice to keep them looking fresh.
- Dried apricots, 50 g: Their sweetness and chewiness add complexity. They're also a beautiful peachy-orange color that breaks up the blue-and-white theme in the loveliest way.
- Cucumber, 1 small, sliced: Fresh and cooling, these slices remind everyone that vegetables belong on a board too. Slice them just before serving so they stay crisp.
- Sugar snap peas, 80 g: Eat one while you're arranging the board—they're sweet and crunchy and a reward for all your prep work. They add height and visual interest.
- Radishes, 50 g, halved: Their peppery crunch is unexpected and delightful. The pink color adds another layer to your palette.
- Whipped cream cheese tinted light blue, 80 g: Use spirulina or butterfly pea powder for natural color—spirulina is more forgiving. This becomes a dip that guests will love with the crackers and vegetables.
- Tzatziki or herbed yogurt dip, 60 g: Cool and herbaceous, this is the counterpoint to all the rich cheeses. A spoonful with a crispy cracker is pure simplicity.
- White chocolate seashells or candies, 40 g: These are optional but they really complete the nautical story. Use them to decorate the anchor's eye or scattered across the board.
- Fresh dill sprigs or edible flowers: The garnish is what makes people stop and say wow. The dill especially smells coastal and fresh.
Instructions
- Choose your stage:
- Find a large wooden board or serving platter that feels substantial. This is going to be the foundation of your edible art, so choose something you love looking at. I prefer a wooden board because the natural grain adds warmth and makes everything else pop.
- Build your anchor outline:
- Take those large twisted pretzels and start arranging them in the center of your board to form an anchor shape. Don't overthink it—the beauty is in the imperfection. Overlap them generously to create that rope-like effect, letting some pretzels cross over each other. Step back and look at it from above. Adjust as needed. This is the moment where your board becomes a story.
- Create your anchor's focal points:
- Place small bowls of the whipped blue cream cheese and tzatziki at key spots—perhaps where the anchor's eye would be, or at the top. These pools of color and flavor become little destinations on your board. The bowls themselves should be attractive; they're part of the design.
- Fill the anchor with richness:
- Now comes the satisfying part. Start filling in the anchor outline with clusters of your cheeses, salmon, and prosciutto. Alternate them for visual interest—a wedge of brie next to some crumbled blue cheese, then a fold of prosciutto, then a piece of salmon. Think of yourself as an artist and vary the colors and textures. Don't pack things too tightly; you want people to be able to easily pick things up.
- Add your jewel tones:
- Scatter the blueberries and black grapes along the outline and into any gaps. These are your ocean, essentially—they add that crucial coastal color and keep everything feeling cohesive. A handful of blueberries clustered together is more impactful than individual berries scattered everywhere.
- Build the landscape:
- Arrange the cucumber slices, sugar snap peas, radishes, and apple slices around the anchor shape. Keep the blue-and-white theme in mind, but don't be afraid to let the natural colors of the vegetables shine through. This is where your board starts to feel generous and abundant.
- Scatter and support:
- Place crackers and baguette slices around the board outside the anchor shape. These give guests easy entry points and support for the spreadable cheeses and dips. Think of them as little platforms.
- Crown with garnish:
- Scatter the white chocolate seashells and edible flowers across the board. Add fresh dill sprigs tucked between items. Step back and look at the whole thing. This is your moment to add those final details that make it feel special and intentional.
- Serve with joy:
- Serve immediately if you can, while everything is at its freshest. If you need to make it ahead, cover it loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate until your guests arrive. The flavors and textures will still be beautiful.
Pin This My neighbor came over for a casual afternoon and asked if she could take a photo of the board for her food blog. Watching her step back to frame it from different angles made me realize that this board wasn't just food—it was a moment, a memory, something worth capturing. That's when entertaining shifted from feeling like a chore to feeling like sharing art.
Creating the Nautical Aesthetic
The magic of this board is that it tells a story visually. The blue-and-white color palette immediately whispers summer and seaside without being heavy-handed. When you're arranging everything, think about how the colors speak to each other. The deep blue of the blueberries echoes the tinted cream cheese. The white chocolate seashells and pale brie create pockets of lightness. The smoked salmon brings in a subtle grey that feels very coastal. You're not just feeding people; you're transporting them to a beach somewhere, even if that beach is just in their imaginations while they're eating cheese and crackers in your dining room.
The Rhythm of Flavors and Textures
The best charcuterie boards, including this anchor, work because they create a natural rhythm for eating. You might start with something rich like brie on a cracker, then pivot to something tangy like goat cheese and a grape, then explore the salt and smoke of the salmon, then balance it all with cool cucumber. There's a conversation happening between all these flavors, and your job is to make sure they're all represented so guests can discover their own path through the board. No one flavor overwhelms; instead, they all take turns in the spotlight.
Making It Your Own
This board is a template, not a prison. Love olives? Add them. Can't stand blue cheese? Skip it completely. Have access to an amazing local cheese you want to feature? Make it the star. The beauty of a board is that it's infinitely flexible. If you're feeding vegetarians, simply omit the seafood and meats—the board is just as stunning and delicious. If you want to amp up the color, add blue corn tortilla chips or blue potato chips around the edges. If edible flowers stress you out, use fresh herbs instead. The structure is just a helpful guide, not a strict rulebook.
- Always taste as you go—sneak a cracker here, a grape there, make sure everything is as good as it can be
- Prep everything separately and assemble only when you're ready to serve, or up to 30 minutes before, so nothing gets soggy or tired
- If you're nervous about the anchor shape, practice it with just the pretzels first on an empty board
Pin This Every time I make this board, I'm reminded that the best entertaining is when you're having as much fun as your guests are. This anchor board does that—it's playful and impressive without being stressful. Make it, enjoy making it, and watch what happens when people gather around something beautiful.
Recipe FAQ
- → How can I make this board fully vegetarian?
Simply omit the smoked salmon and prosciutto. Consider adding blue corn or blue potato chips for extra color and texture.
- → What is the best way to create the anchor shape?
Use large twisted pretzels arranged as a rope outline on a wooden board, adjusting overlap for a realistic anchor shape.
- → How can I tint cream cheese naturally blue?
Mix in small amounts of spirulina or butterfly pea powder into whipped cream cheese for a gentle blue hue.
- → Which dips complement the flavors on the board?
Whipped blue cream cheese and tzatziki or herbed yogurt dip pair beautifully, adding creaminess and freshness.
- → What beverage pairs well with this board?
A crisp Sauvignon Blanc or sparkling water with lemon enhances the coastal flavors and light texture.
- → Can I prepare this board in advance?
Yes, assemble and cover it, then refrigerate until serving to maintain freshness and presentation.