Heart of Romance Board (Printer View)

A vibrant heart-shaped board featuring cheeses, meats, fruits, and colorful dips for an elegant spread.

# 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

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 - ½ cup pomegranate seeds

→ Vegetables

11 - 8 to 10 mini sweet red peppers, sliced
12 - ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved

→ Accompaniments

13 - ½ cup pink beet hummus
14 - ½ cup red pepper jelly
15 - ½ cup candied pecans
16 - ½ cup dark chocolate-covered almonds
17 - ¼ cup heart-shaped candies (optional)

→ Crackers & Bread

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

# Method Steps:

01 - On a large platter or board, outline a heart shape using parchment paper or a heart-shaped tray.
02 - Position small bowls of beet hummus and red pepper jelly in the upper curves of the heart outline.
03 - Distribute cheeses in multiple sections within the heart, spacing evenly for aesthetic balance.
04 - Fold or roll prosciutto, salami, and coppa, placing them strategically to enhance the heart shape and texture.
05 - Disperse strawberries, raspberries, red grapes, and pomegranate seeds to create vibrant red and pink highlights.
06 - Fill remaining spaces with sliced mini red peppers, halved cherry tomatoes, and candied pecans for color and crunch.
07 - Place dark chocolate-covered almonds and optional heart-shaped candies to enhance the romantic presentation.
08 - Place crackers and baguette slices along edges or in small piles within the heart-shaped arrangement.
09 - Ensure all spaces are filled to create a lush, abundant appearance. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours in the kitchen, but comes together in just 25 minutes—the perfect secret weapon for impressing someone special
  • There's something deeply satisfying about the permission to eat with your hands, to break the rules a little, and share bites directly from the board
  • Every element is customizable, so you can skip the cured meats, swap cheeses, or add whatever makes your heart happy
  • It tastes like celebration without any cooking required, which means you're actually present instead of stressed in the kitchen
02 -
  • Room temperature matters more than you'd think—pull your cheeses out about 30 minutes before serving. Cold brie won't spread, and cold goat cheese won't crumble as prettily. Everything comes alive when it's at the right temperature.
  • Assemble this as close to serving time as possible, especially if your kitchen is warm. Berries will weep, crackers will soften, and the meats can start to look tired. Make it, then bring people to it, not it to people who have to wait.
  • The shape matters more than you think it will. The heart outline—whether made with berries, crackers, or by the arrangement of meats—gives the whole thing meaning. People will see it and understand immediately that this was made with intention.
03 -
  • If you want to make this ahead, prep all your elements separately and assemble just before serving. Keep the berries and prosciutto refrigerated until the last moment—they're the elements most vulnerable to time.
  • Use a large, shallow board or platter—it's easier to see everything and reach across comfortably. A deep dish forces people into awkward angles and makes the whole thing feel less inviting.
  • Heart-shaped cookie cutters transform ordinary cheese slices or even crackers into something that feels intentional. Your guests will notice these little details and feel the love in them.
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