Anchor Nautical Board Display (Printable)

Anchor-shaped board with cheeses, smoked salmon, pretzels, fresh fruits, and herbs creates a coastal-inspired spread.

# What You'll 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)

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, for garnish)

# Directions:

01 - Select a large wooden board or serving platter as your base.
02 - Use the large twisted pretzels to outline an anchor shape in the center of the board, adjusting and overlapping for a rope-like effect.
03 - Position small bowls of whipped blue cream cheese and tzatziki at the anchor’s ends or its eye.
04 - Fill the anchor’s outline with clusters of cheeses and, if using, smoked salmon and prosciutto, alternating for visual appeal.
05 - Scatter blueberries and black grapes along the anchor’s outline and in fill gaps to enhance the coastal color palette.
06 - Arrange cucumber slices, sugar snap peas, radishes, and apple slices around the anchor shape, emphasizing the blue-and-white theme.
07 - Place round water crackers and baguette slices around the board’s perimeter for easy access.
08 - Decorate with white chocolate seashells and edible flowers, adding fresh dill sprigs for a seaside touch.
09 - Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It's basically edible art—your guests will actually pause to admire it before diving in, which never happens with ordinary platters
  • Zero cooking required means you stay cool and present instead of sweating in the kitchen while everyone else relaxes
  • The anchor shape gives you an instant conversation starter, and people love the clever nautical theme that feels effortless but totally intentional
02 -
  • Arrange this no more than 30 minutes before serving. Cheese sweats, bread gets soggy, and that crisp first impression is everything. If you're timing a party, build it right before guests arrive rather than hours ahead.
  • Buy your smoked salmon from the counter rather than pre-packaged, and keep it separate until the very last moment. It dries out visibly when exposed to air for too long, and that one detail changes everything about how generous and fresh the board feels.
03 -
  • Tint your cream cheese the day before so the color develops naturally without looking artificial—it's a small thing that changes how people perceive the whole board
  • Keep a damp kitchen towel nearby while building so you can wipe your hands between handling different items; it keeps flavors from mingling and your board looking intentional rather than touched a hundred times
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