Nautical Anchor Charcuterie Board (Printable Version)

An artfully arranged board featuring cheeses, fruits, and coastal-inspired accents in an anchor shape.

# What You Need:

→ 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, omit for vegetarian)

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)

# How To Make It:

01 - Select a large wooden board or serving platter to arrange ingredients.
02 - Arrange large twisted pretzels in the center to create the shape of an anchor, overlapping to achieve a rope-like appearance.
03 - Set small bowls of whipped blue cream cheese and tzatziki at the anchor’s ends or eye.
04 - Alternately fill the anchor outline with cheeses, smoked salmon, and prosciutto (if using) for visual interest.
05 - Disperse blueberries and black grapes along the anchor’s outline and fill gaps for vibrant coastal color.
06 - Place cucumber slices, sugar snap peas, radishes, and apple slices around the shape, maintaining a blue-and-white color theme.
07 - Scatter water crackers and baguette slices outside the anchor shape to allow easy access.
08 - Decorate with white chocolate seashells and edible flowers; add fresh dill sprigs for a seaside touch.
09 - Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks absolutely stunning on the table, and everyone will think you spent hours in the kitchen when it actually took just 30 minutes
  • It's endlessly customizable—vegetarian, with or without seafood, whatever your guests prefer
  • No cooking required means you can prep it while sipping a cold drink and actually enjoying your own party
  • It serves a crowd beautifully and works for casual gatherings or elegant entertaining
02 -
  • The order you arrange things matters more than precision—if you place your cheeses first and then try to fit the fruits and vegetables around them, you'll end up frustrated. Lay your pretzel anchor first and use that as your guide.
  • Take your board out of the refrigerator 15 minutes before serving so the cheeses reach their best texture and flavor. Cold brie is stiff and distant; room temperature brie is open and welcoming.
  • If you're adding the seafood elements, do that as close to serving time as possible so they stay fresh and don't dry out or get overpowered by the other flavors.
03 -
  • Cut the brie and any soft cheeses with a hot, damp knife—it makes clean cuts instead of dragging and tearing the cheese
  • Arrange your board on a chilled platter if possible so everything stays fresh longer, especially if your kitchen is warm
  • The pretzels soften slightly as they sit out, so if you're making the board very far ahead, add them last or they might lose their structural integrity
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