Nautical Anchor Coastal Board (Printable)

A coastal-themed spread with cheeses, smoked salmon, fruits, and crackers arranged in an anchor design.

# Components:

→ 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)

# Method:

01 - Select a large wooden board or serving platter to serve as the base.
02 - Arrange the large pretzels in the center of the board to create an anchor shape, overlapping as needed for a rope-like appearance.
03 - Place small bowls of whipped blue cream cheese and tzatziki at the anchor's ends or the anchor's eye.
04 - Fill the anchor outline with clusters of cheeses and, if desired, smoked salmon and prosciutto, alternating for visual contrast.
05 - Distribute blueberries and black grapes along the outline and fill gaps to add coastal color.
06 - Place cucumber slices, sugar snap peas, radishes, and apple slices around the anchor shape, maintaining a blue-and-white color scheme.
07 - Arrange water crackers and baguette slices outside the anchor shape for convenient 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 Advice:

01 -
  • It looks stunning enough to be the centerpiece of conversation, but takes only 30 minutes to assemble—no cooking required, just creativity
  • The anchor shape and coastal colors immediately transport guests to a seaside escape, even if you're hosting in the middle of the city
  • It's endlessly adaptable for dietary preferences, so vegetarians and meat lovers can graze happily side by side
02 -
  • Assemble this board no more than 2-3 hours before serving—cheeses start to dry out, and crackers absorb moisture from fruit. Timing is everything.
  • Buy your berries and delicate items fresh the morning of; they're the first things to show age and affect the board's visual impact.
  • The anchor shape matters less than you think. If your pretzel anchor looks slightly wonky, that's perfect—it looks handmade and real, not factory-produced.
03 -
  • Use a wooden board with a slight lip or edge; it keeps smaller items from rolling away and adds to the rustic, intentional aesthetic
  • If you're tinting cream cheese naturally with spirulina, start with a tiny pinch—you can always add more, but you can't take it back, and you want that delicate seaside blue, not a murky turquoise
  • Arrange your board on a kitchen counter first, photograph it, then carefully transfer it to the party location if needed. Charcuterie boards are meant to be admired before they're demolished, so give them their moment in the spotlight
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