Heart of Romance Board (Printable)

A beautifully arranged heart-shaped board combining cheeses, meats, fruits, and colorful accompaniments.

# What You 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, sliced thinly

→ 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 - 0.5 cup pomegranate seeds

→ Vegetables

11 - 8 to 10 mini sweet red peppers, sliced
12 - 0.5 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

→ Accompaniments

13 - 0.5 cup pink beet hummus
14 - 0.5 cup red pepper jelly
15 - 0.5 cup candied pecans
16 - 0.5 cup dark chocolate-covered almonds
17 - 0.25 cup heart-shaped candies (optional)

→ Crackers & Bread

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

# How to Make It:

01 - On a large platter or board, use parchment paper to outline a heart shape or use a heart-shaped tray if available.
02 - Position small bowls of beet hummus and red pepper jelly in the upper curves of the heart.
03 - Distribute cheeses in several areas within the heart, spacing them evenly for visual balance.
04 - Fold or roll cured meats and place strategically to enhance the heart outline and add texture.
05 - Place strawberries, raspberries, grapes, and pomegranate seeds throughout to provide vibrant red and pink tones.
06 - Fill the gaps with mini sweet peppers, cherry tomatoes, and candied pecans for color and crunch.
07 - Intersperse dark chocolate-covered almonds and optional heart-shaped candies for a romantic touch.
08 - Place heart-shaped crackers or baguette slices along edges or in small piles within the heart.
09 - Ensure all spaces are filled for a lush, abundant appearance and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Zero cooking required—just thoughtful assembly that feels like you spent hours in the kitchen
  • The visual impact actually takes your breath away when you step back and see that perfect heart shape come together
  • Everyone at the table feels celebrated because you've included something for every preference, from the goat cheese lover to the chocolate devotee
  • It's the rare dish that's both impressive and genuinely fun to eat, with every bite offering a different flavor and texture combination
02 -
  • Arrange this no more than an hour before serving—not because it looks bad after that, but because the flavors and textures reach their absolute peak when everything is freshly placed and everything is at the right temperature
  • The secret that changed everything for me was buying all the cheese and cured meats from the counter, not the pre-packaged section. It tastes different and the visual quality is infinitely better
  • If you're serving this with wine, the board actually influences the wine as much as the wine influences the board—a sparkling rosé suddenly makes sense when you taste it alongside the strawberries and brie
03 -
  • If you want the board to look impossibly professional, invest in heart-shaped cookie cutters and cut some of the cheese or prosciutto into hearts—it's a small touch that feels like you've been planning this for weeks
  • The secret that makes the biggest difference is buying everything at least one day early and tasting it at home first. You'll know exactly what you're working with and you can adjust if something isn't quite right before your guests arrive
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