Save I'll never forget the summer I spent at my cousin's coastal cottage, where we'd gather on the weathered dock with friends, watching sailboats drift past while sharing an impromptu charcuterie board. That salty air, the sound of gulls, and the way everyone gravitated toward a beautiful spread of cheeses and crackers—it stayed with me. Years later, when I wanted to recreate that feeling of seaside gatherings, I designed this anchor board: a nostalgic nod to those magical days when food became a reason to linger together by the water.
I remember my friend Sarah standing in front of this board at a summer party, taking a photo with the golden hour light hitting the blue-and-white arrangement, saying it made her feel like she was already on vacation. That's when I realized this wasn't just food—it was a little escape we could share, a moment of pause before the busy season took over.
Ingredients
- Creamy brie (150g), cut into wedges: Brie is your foundation of elegance here; its soft, buttery richness makes people close their eyes when they taste it. Cut it into wedges just before serving so it stays fresh and holds its shape beautifully on the board.
- Herbed goat cheese (120g), rolled into small balls: Rolling it into balls gives your board dimension and makes it feel intentional. I learned this trick keeps it from spreading everywhere and makes it easier for guests to grab individual portions without a mess.
- Blue cheese (100g), crumbled or sliced: Yes, blue cheese can seem intimidating, but its bold flavor and white veining against your blue palette creates stunning visual contrast. Trust the flavor—people who think they dislike blue cheese often find themselves reaching for it here.
- Smoked salmon slices (120g): The star of the nautical theme; its soft pink hue adds warmth to your blue-and-white scheme. Arrange it loosely so it looks abundant and luxurious, not cramped.
- Prosciutto (100g): This salty, delicate meat bridges the gap between cheese and vegetables, giving your board personality and depth. It's optional but worth it if you're not serving vegetarians.
- Large twisted pretzels (100g), rope-like: These are your anchor outline—the structure of everything. Choose the biggest, most dramatic ones you can find; they set the nautical stage before anything else gets placed.
- Round water crackers (80g): Water crackers are elegant and neutral, letting cheese flavors shine without competing. They're sturdy enough to hold toppings without shattering in guests' hands.
- Baguette slices (60g): Toast these lightly for extra crunch and a subtle nutty flavor that elevates every pairing. Light toasting also prevents them from absorbing moisture and becoming soggy.
- Blueberries (100g): Nature's perfect coastal accent; their deep blue dots become like little jewels scattered across your board. They're also the easiest ingredient to grab between conversations.
- Black grapes (80g): These add weight and visual richness without being heavy. I cluster them together for impact rather than scattering them thin.
- Apple slices (from 1 small apple): The brightness of apple cuts through rich cheese beautifully. Slice just before serving and toss lightly with lemon juice to prevent browning.
- Dried apricots (50g): These bring a subtle sweetness and chewiness that surprises people in the best way. Their warm color adds a gentle contrast to your cool color palette.
- Cucumber slices (from 1 small cucumber): Cucumbers are your fresh, crisp element—they cleanse the palate between bites of rich cheese. Slice them on a slight angle for elegance.
- Sugar snap peas (80g): Sweet and snappy, they're the vegetable that even non-vegetable people eat at your board. I keep them whole so guests can pick them up without mess.
- Radish halves (50g): Radishes give you peppery crunch and brilliant red-and-white color variation. They're the unsung hero that keeps people coming back.
- Whipped cream cheese tinted light blue (80g): Use spirulina or butterfly pea powder for natural coloring—just a tiny pinch. This becomes your anchor's eye or anchor point detail, and it tastes like heaven with crackers.
- Tzatziki or herbed yogurt dip (60g): This cool, creamy dip is your finishing touch. The herbs add freshness and it gives guests something to spread and dip, extending the eating experience.
- White chocolate seashells (40g, optional): These are pure decoration, but they transform your board from charcuterie into a seaside story. Don't skip them if you can find them—they're the magic touch.
- Fresh dill sprigs or edible flowers (blue/white): A scatter of dill feels authentically coastal. Edible flowers like blue borage or white chamomile elevate the entire presentation into something you'd see at a luxury resort.
Instructions
- Choose your stage:
- Pick a large wooden board or serving platter that's going to be your canvas. I prefer wooden because it feels warm and coastal, almost like you've brought the dock inside. Make sure it's clean and completely dry before you begin.
- Create your anchor outline:
- This is the fun part. Take your largest, most dramatic twisted pretzels and arrange them in the shape of an anchor—a thick rope stem at the top with two curved flukes at the bottom. Overlap them slightly to create that rope-like effect and anchor them (quite literally) to the board by their weight. Step back and look at it; this is your blueprint.
- Establish your anchor points:
- Place small bowls of the light blue whipped cream cheese and tzatziki at the bottom of your anchor shape, where the flukes meet, or at the top as the anchor's eye. These dips become functional anchors themselves, holding the design together visually.
- Fill the anchor with proteins:
- This is where richness happens. Within and slightly around your pretzel outline, begin clustering the cheeses and meats. Think of it like painting—place a wedge of brie, then some goat cheese balls, then folds of smoked salmon, then some prosciutto. Vary the colors so no two pieces are identical neighbors. The visual interest comes from this conversation between textures and hues.
- Add the jewel tones:
- Scatter your blueberries and black grapes throughout, especially along the pretzel outline and in any gaps. These become like the ocean itself—deep, mysterious, and beautiful. They also fill empty spaces that might otherwise feel sparse.
- Layer in the garden:
- Arrange your cucumber slices, sugar snap peas, and radish halves around the anchor shape, respecting your blue-and-white theme but also letting natural reds and greens breathe. Apple slices go near creamier cheeses so they can play off each other. The goal is a board that feels abundant but intentional, not chaotic.
- Scatter your foundations:
- Place crackers and toasted baguette slices around the perimeter of the board, outside the anchor proper, so guests have easy access without disrupting your carefully arranged design. These are your edible pathways to the beautiful center.
- Dress it with magic:
- Scatter white chocolate seashells and edible flowers across the board like you're decorating a coastal scene. Tuck fresh dill sprigs between ingredients—their feathery green adds movement and that authentic seaside feeling. This is the moment it stops being ingredients and becomes an experience.
- Present with intention:
- Step back and look at your finished creation. Take a moment to appreciate it; you've just created edible art. Serve immediately while everything is fresh and cold, or cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate until your guests arrive.
Save I think about my aunt, who's not particularly interested in cooking, standing by this board at a family gathering and telling everyone she felt like she was on a vacation in the Mediterranean just by looking at it. Food doesn't always have to be complicated to mean something; sometimes the most powerful meals are the ones that make us feel transported, even if just for the moments we're gathered around them.
Building Your Anchor: The Art of Arrangement
The real magic of this board is that it breaks the usual rules of charcuterie. Instead of random placement, you're telling a story with shape and color. When I first attempted the anchor design, I thought I'd overthink it, but honestly, the pretzels guide you—their shape is so distinctly anchor-like that once they're down, the rest follows naturally. The blue-and-white color palette, though, requires intention. Every item you place should either deepen that coastal feeling or provide essential contrast. I learned to group similar colors together rather than scatter them, which creates visual flow and makes the board feel cohesive rather than scattered. Think of your arrangement as creating little color stories across the board: a cluster of whites and creams near the brie, a pocket of blues with the grapes and blueberries, warm salmon pinks next to fresh greens. This restraint in color choices elevates everything.
Timing and Temperature: When to Assemble
I used to make my boards hours in advance, thinking I was being clever and prepared, until I realized that cheeses taste best when they're cool but not cold, and vegetables stay crisp and fresh when they're assembled closer to serving time. Now I've learned a better rhythm: prep everything in advance if you need to, arrange cheeses and breads 30 minutes before guests arrive, and add vegetables and fruits in the last 10-15 minutes. This timing keeps everything at its best and makes the whole experience feel intentional rather than rushed. If you're serving this outdoors on a warm day, keep it in a cooler with a cold pack underneath the board itself, not directly touching. Your guests will taste the difference between a board that's been sitting in the sun versus one that's been thoughtfully kept cool.
Making It Your Own: Customization Without Losing Magic
One of the most beautiful things about this board is how it adapts to your pantry and your guests. I've made vegetarian versions that lose nothing in impact—the blue-and-white color story still sings without the salmon and prosciutto. I've added blue corn tortilla chips for extra coastal color, swapped cheeses based on what's available at my market that week, and even experimented with different herbs. The anchor structure is your constant, and everything else can bend to fit your needs and preferences. The only rule I'd suggest keeping: don't abandon the blue-and-white palette completely. That color story is what transforms ingredients into an experience. If you find a beautiful ingredient that doesn't fit the palette, find creative ways to incorporate it or save it for another board. This restraint is what makes the board feel intentional rather than like you've just dumped everything you could find onto a platter.
- Fresh herb alternatives like tarragon or chives work beautifully if you can't find dill, and they add their own coastal personality
- If butterfly pea powder seems fussy, a single drop of blue gel food coloring mixed thoroughly into cream cheese works perfectly and looks just as elegant
- Consider the season when selecting dried fruits and fresh vegetables—what's local and fresh in your region will always taste better than forcing specific ingredients
Save This board is proof that the most memorable meals aren't always complicated—they're the ones made with intention and served with joy. It's a little piece of summer, a moment of coastal escape, waiting on your table.
Common Recipe Questions
- → How do I create the anchor shape on the board?
Use large twisted pretzels to form the anchor outline, arranging and overlapping them for a rope-like effect.
- → Can this board be made vegetarian?
Yes, simply omit the smoked salmon and prosciutto, and focus on cheeses, fruits, and vegetables.
- → What dips complement this charcuterie board?
Whipped cream cheese tinted light blue and herbed yogurt or tzatziki add both color and flavor contrast.
- → How should I garnish the board for a coastal look?
Add edible flowers in blue and white tones, fresh dill sprigs, and optional white chocolate seashells.
- → What beverages pair well with this platter?
Crisp Sauvignon Blanc or sparkling water with lemon enhance the fresh and light coastal flavors.
- → Are there allergen considerations to keep in mind?
This board contains dairy, gluten, and optional fish; check labels and adjust ingredients as needed.