Heart of Romance Board (Print Version)

A colorful heart-shaped board with cheeses, cured meats, fruits, and sweet accompaniments in red hues.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cheeses

01 - 3.5 oz brie, cut into wedges
02 - 3.5 oz goat cheese, shaped into small rounds
03 - 3.5 oz manchego, thinly sliced

→ Cured Meats (optional for vegetarian)

04 - 2.8 oz prosciutto, folded
05 - 2.8 oz salami, rolled
06 - 2.1 oz coppa, fanned out

→ Fresh Fruits

07 - 1 cup strawberries, halved
08 - 1 cup raspberries
09 - 1 cup red grapes, halved
10 - 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds

→ Vegetables

11 - 8–10 mini sweet red peppers, sliced
12 - 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

→ Accompaniments

13 - 1/2 cup pink beet hummus
14 - 1/2 cup red pepper jelly
15 - 1/2 cup candied pecans
16 - 1/2 cup dark chocolate–covered almonds
17 - 1/4 cup heart-shaped candies (optional)

→ Crackers & Bread

18 - 1 cup heart-shaped crackers or thinly sliced baguette

# How to Make It:

01 - Line a large platter or board with parchment paper to form a heart shape or use a heart-shaped tray if available.
02 - Place small bowls containing beet hummus and red pepper jelly within the upper curves of the heart shape.
03 - Distribute wedges and rounds of cheeses evenly inside the heart, ensuring visual balance across the display.
04 - Fold or roll prosciutto, salami, and coppa, arranging them strategically to emphasize the heart outline and add texture.
05 - Scatter strawberries, raspberries, red grapes, and pomegranate seeds focusing on vibrant reds and pinks for color impact.
06 - Fill remaining spaces with sliced mini sweet peppers, halved cherry tomatoes, and candied pecans for variety and texture.
07 - Add dark chocolate-covered almonds and optional heart-shaped candies to enhance the romantic presentation.
08 - Position heart-shaped crackers or thin baguette slices at edges or in small clusters within the heart shape.
09 - Ensure all voids are filled for a lush, abundant appearance. Serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It requires zero cooking, just pure creativity and assembly—perfect for when you want to impress without stress
  • The visual presentation is so stunning that your guests will think you spent hours in the kitchen, even though it took just 25 minutes
  • Every bite is a different experience, from creamy brie to crispy candied pecans, making it endlessly interesting
  • It's naturally elegant enough for romance but casual enough for a girls' night or family gathering
02 -
  • Temperature matters more than people realize—take your cheeses out about 30 minutes before serving so they're at their creamiest, but keep everything else chilled until the last moment. The contrast is magical.
  • Prep everything separately and assemble only 15-20 minutes before serving. Prepped items sitting around will start to look tired and lose their vibrancy.
  • If any fruit starts to weep or look dull, gently refresh it with a paper towel. Your eyes will be the judge of when the board looks its best.
03 -
  • Use heart-shaped cookie cutters on your cheeses and some of your cured meats—this elevates the presentation from beautiful to unforgettable and ties the whole theme together
  • Chill your board platter for 10 minutes before starting; a cold surface keeps everything fresher longer and helps items stay in place as your guests reach for bites
  • Layer your elements in varying heights using small risers or simply by arranging some items on top of others. A flat board is less interesting than one with gentle topography and dimension.
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