Heart of Romance Board

I still remember the Valentine's Day I decided to abandon the usual dinner reservations and instead invite my closest friends over for an intimate evening at home. Standing in my kitchen, I wanted to create something that felt personal and unhurried, something that celebrated love in all its forms. That's when the idea of a heart-shaped board came to me—a canvas where every element could tell a story of care and connection. The moment I arranged those first ruby-red strawberries against the creamy brie, I knew this wasn't just about food. It was about inviting people into something beautiful and intentional.

When my friends arrived that evening, their faces lit up the moment they saw the board. One friend traced her finger along the heart outline and said, 'This is almost too beautiful to eat.' We laughed together as we dove in, and what started as an appetizer became the entire evening's conversation—sharing bites, trading favorite combinations, and creating memories between the flavors. That's when I realized the true magic of this board: it invites people to slow down and savor, not just the food, but each other.

Ingredients

• Brie, cut into wedges (100g): This is your creamy anchor. Brie melts slightly on the palate and pairs beautifully with both sweet and savory elements. I always let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving so it becomes luxuriously soft.
• Goat cheese, shaped into small rounds (100g): The tangy brightness of goat cheese creates a beautiful contrast and feels more refined when you take a moment to shape it into little rounds rather than just crumbling it on.
• Manchego, sliced thinly (100g): This Spanish cheese adds a nutty, slightly salty note that elevates the entire board. Thin slices are key—they're more elegant and allow the flavor to shine without overwhelming.
• Prosciutto, folded (80g): Paper-thin cured perfection. Folding it creates visual height and texture, and those translucent folds catch the light beautifully on the board.
• Salami, rolled (80g): The peppery spice brings a savory depth. Rolling it creates little spirals that add visual interest and are easier for guests to grab than flat slices.
• Coppa, fanned out (60g): This Italian cured meat has a silky texture. Fanning it out shows off its color and makes it feel like the board is already inviting people to take a bite.
• Strawberries, halved (1 cup): These are your heart's beating color. Fresh, ripe strawberries are essential—they should be deep red and smell like summer, even in February.
• Raspberries (1 cup): Their delicate nature means they should be arranged last, but their jewel-like appearance is irreplaceable for romantic appeal.
• Red grapes, halved (1 cup): Halving them reveals their glossy interior and prevents them from rolling around. They provide sweetness and a crisp bite.
• Pomegranate seeds (1/2 cup): These little rubies are pure luxury. They catch light and add texture in a way nothing else can. I always have extras because they tend to disappear first.
• Mini sweet red peppers, sliced (8–10): Their sweetness is a delicate surprise, and their shape is naturally elegant. Slicing them lengthwise shows off their inner chambers beautifully.
• Cherry tomatoes, halved (1/2 cup): Fresh and bright, they add a savory vegetable element that keeps the board from feeling one-dimensional.
• Pink beet hummus (1/2 cup): The color is stunning, and the earthiness of beets plays wonderfully against the cheeses. Place it in a small bowl to make serving easy and keep it contained.
• Red pepper jelly (1/2 cup): This is your secret weapon for flavor complexity—sweet, spicy, and perfect with both cheese and crackers. A small bowl makes it feel intentional.
• Candied pecans (1/2 cup): They add crunch and a hint of sweetness, and their warm tone complements the reds and pinks beautifully.
• Dark chocolate–covered almonds (1/2 cup): A sophisticated touch that brings unexpected richness. They bridge the gap between savory and sweet in a way that feels magical.
• Heart-shaped crackers or thinly sliced baguette (1 cup): These are your foundation. Heart-shaped crackers make the theme work effortlessly, or thin baguette slices feel elegant and traditional.

Instructions

Create Your Heart Canvas:

Start with a large, clean platter or board. If you have a heart-shaped tray, you're already winning. If not, use parchment paper to outline a heart shape on your surface—don't worry about perfection. The outline is just a guide to keep you focused as you build. I like to step back and look at this blank canvas for a moment. It's like standing in front of a beautiful opportunity.

Position Your Anchor Bowls:

Place small bowls of beet hummus and red pepper jelly in the upper curves of the heart. These are your anchors—they help define the shape and give guests an immediate visual focal point. Choose bowls that feel special; even small details matter when you're creating something beautiful.

Arrange Cheeses with Intention:

Distribute your three cheeses in several areas within the heart, spacing them so they feel balanced rather than bunched together. Imagine you're creating little moments of pause as people's eyes move across the board. The wedged brie, rounded goat cheese, and sliced manchego should feel like they're in conversation with each other.

Layer in Cured Meats:

This is where you emphasize that heart outline and add texture. Fold your prosciutto, roll your salami, and fan out your coppa. Place them strategically along the heart's edges and in pockets that need visual interest. The way light catches these folds makes them almost sculptural.

Scatter Fresh Fruits Generously:

Focus on strawberries, raspberries, and pomegranate seeds for that deep red and pink palette. These are your jewels—arrange them with a gentle hand, letting some cluster and others sit alone so the eye can rest on their individual beauty. This is where the board starts to feel alive.

Fill Gaps Thoughtfully:

Tuck mini peppers, cherry tomatoes, and candied pecans into the spaces between other ingredients. This is your chance to add color variation and texture. Think of it as tucking details into a story—each element adds to the whole picture.

Add Romantic Finishing Touches:

Scatter dark chocolate–covered almonds and optional heart-shaped candies throughout. These feel like little gifts hidden within the board. They create moments of surprise as people discover them.

Edge with Crackers and Bread:

Arrange your crackers and bread slices along the edges or in small organized piles within the heart. They should look abundant but not chaotic—think of them as the frame that holds your artwork together.

Create Abundance:

Step back and ensure all spaces are filled for that lush, abundant look. If you see empty spots, they're an invitation to add more of what delights you. This isn't about perfection—it's about generosity.

Serve with Presence:

Bring the board to the table immediately, and take a moment to watch your guests' reactions. This is the real satisfaction. Serve alongside sparkling rosé if you can, and let people create their own perfect bites.

Save

As the evening wound down, I caught my friends lingering over the board one last time, picking at the last few berries and swapping the remaining cheese slices between them. Someone said, 'This is what I'll remember about tonight—not that we did anything fancy, but that we did it together.' That's the moment I understood that this board had become more than a dish. It was an invitation to slow down, to appreciate, and to let people know they mattered enough for a little extra care.

Making It Your Own

The beauty of a charcuterie and cheese board is that it's infinitely adaptable to your preferences and what you have on hand. I've made this board at least a dozen times now, and it's never the same twice. Once, I added candied orange peel instead of some of the berries, and another time I swapped in burrata for the brie because it was what I had. The heart-shaped outline is just a framework—the real magic happens when you make it personal. Think about what you love, what your guests love, and build from there. That's when the board becomes not just beautiful, but meaningful.

The Vegetarian Option

If you're serving vegetarian guests or prefer to skip the cured meats entirely, this board loses nothing. In fact, it gains a different kind of elegance. Roasted red peppers bring sweetness and saturation of color, while marinated artichoke hearts add sophistication and tanginess. I've also added fresh mozzarella balls, dried apricots, marcona almonds, and even a few spoonfuls of olive tapenade. A vegetarian version feels lighter and somehow even more refined—like you've cleared away the noise and let the pure flavors sing.

Pairing and Serving Ideas

I learned that the right drink can transform how people experience this board. A sparkling rosé is my first choice—it's romantic without being heavy, and the bubbles feel celebratory. A light Pinot Noir also works beautifully, bringing out the earthiness of the cheeses and the depth of the cured meats. Beyond wine, I've served this with sparkling apple cider for non-drinkers, and it creates the same sense of occasion. My biggest discovery: time matters as much as the drink. Give people at least an hour to graze, chat, and truly enjoy. This board isn't meant to be rushed through.

• Sparkling rosé elevates the romantic feel and complements every element without overwhelming.
• Serve on a low table or at a relaxed gathering where people can stand and mingle around the board.
• Pair with quiet background music and good lighting—candlelight makes everything on the board look even more beautiful.

Save

This board is my love letter to the idea that the most romantic things we create for others don't require culinary school or complicated recipes—they require attention, intention, and a little thoughtfulness. I hope it becomes one of yours too.

Recipe FAQ

→ What cheeses work best for this board?

Soft brie, creamy goat cheese, and thinly sliced manchego create a balanced mix of textures and flavors that complement the board’s fresh and sweet elements.

→ Can this board be made vegetarian?

Yes, simply omit the cured meats and add roasted red peppers or marinated artichokes to maintain flavor and variety.

→ How do I create the heart shape for the presentation?

Use parchment paper to outline a large heart on your platter or place the ingredients within a heart-shaped tray for an easy guide.

→ What are good accompaniments to enhance the board’s colors?

Pink beet hummus and red pepper jelly bring vibrant reds, while candied pecans and chocolate-covered almonds add texture and subtle sweetness.

→ What wine pairs well with this board?

A sparkling rosé or light Pinot Noir complements the fresh fruits and cured meats without overpowering the delicate cheeses.

→ How should the fresh fruits be prepared for the board?

Slice strawberries and red grapes in halves, and scatter raspberries and pomegranate seeds to maximize color and ease of serving.