Heart of Romance Board

I'll never forget the Valentine's Day I decided to stop ordering takeout and create something with my own hands instead. Standing in my kitchen on a chilly February afternoon, I realized that a beautiful charcuterie board arranged in the shape of a heart wasn't just food—it was an edible love letter. That moment, arranging ruby-red strawberries and creamy brie into a heart outline, taught me that the most romantic gestures aren't always complicated. Sometimes they're simply about thoughtfulness and a little creativity on a platter.

I remember my sister's face when she walked into my apartment and saw this heart-shaped board on the table. She didn't even know it was Valentine's Day that I was preparing for—it was just a Tuesday dinner with someone I wanted to impress. The combination of textures and colors, the way the prosciutto draped against the deep pink of the beet hummus, the glossy pomegranate seeds catching the light—it sparked a conversation that lasted hours. That's when I understood: a beautiful board is an invitation to linger.

Ingredients

• Brie, cut into wedges (100 g): The creamy anchor of any board. Let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving so it becomes wonderfully spreadable and reveals its full, buttery personality.
• Goat cheese, shaped into small rounds (100 g): Its tangy bite cuts through richness beautifully. I learned to shape mine into little quenelles using two warm spoons—it looks fancy but requires no real skill.
• Manchego, sliced thinly (100 g): This Spanish cheese adds a subtle nuttiness and firm texture that contrasts perfectly with the soft cheeses. The pale gold color is gorgeous against the heart shape.
• Prosciutto, folded (80 g): Buy it sliced fresh if possible. The way it catches light when folded is part of the visual magic of the board.
• Salami, rolled (80 g): Choose a good quality variety—the flavor should matter as much as the appearance. Rolling creates beautiful spirals that fill empty spaces.
• Coppa, fanned out (60 g): The marbling in coppa is stunning when arranged in a fan. It's my secret weapon for adding visual depth without much effort.
• Strawberries, halved (1 cup): The foundation of your red palette. Choose firm berries at their peak ripeness—this is not the time for sad, pale supermarket strawberries.
• Raspberries (1 cup): These delicate berries should be added last to prevent crushing. They catch the light like little rubies.
• Red grapes, halved (1 cup): Their sweetness and slight tartness balance the salty meats and creamy cheeses perfectly.
• Pomegranate seeds (1/2 cup): These jewel-like arils are what make people stop and say 'wow' when they first see the board. Worth every bit of effort to extract them.
• Mini sweet red peppers, sliced (8–10 peppers): Their natural sweetness and vibrant color fill gaps beautifully while adding a fresh crunch.
• Cherry tomatoes, halved (1/2 cup): Choose ones that are truly ripe. They should yield slightly to gentle pressure and taste like sunshine.
• Pink beet hummus (1/2 cup): This is your secret weapon for color cohesion. Make your own or choose a high-quality store version. The color should be a true dusty pink, not artificial magenta.
• Red pepper jelly (1/2 cup): Sweet with a hint of heat, this bridges the gap between cheese and fruit perfectly. A spoonful on brie changes everything.
• Candied pecans (1/2 cup): The sweetness adds another dimension to the flavor journey. If you can't find them, toast regular pecans and toss with a tiny bit of honey.
• Dark chocolate–covered almonds (1/2 cup): A subtle nod to romance and a surprising textural element that makes people smile when they taste the unexpected combination.
• Heart-shaped crackers or thinly sliced baguette (1 cup): Your delivery vehicles for everything else. Good bread or quality crackers make a real difference in the eating experience.

Instructions

Set your canvas:

Find your heart—whether that's an actual heart-shaped tray you've found or a piece of parchment you'll outline on your largest platter. I use a heart-shaped cutting board I found at a vintage shop, but parchment works beautifully too. This is your stage, so choose something that speaks to you. Set it on the surface where you'll be serving, because once you start arranging, you won't want to move it.

Anchor with the dips:

Place small bowls of your beet hummus and red pepper jelly in the upper curves of the heart—these are your flavor anchors and they'll guide the rest of your arrangement. The bowls themselves become part of the visual landscape, so choose pretty ones if you have them. This also makes them easy for guests to find and use.

Build the cheese zones:

Arrange your three cheeses in different areas within the heart, creating little neighborhoods of flavor. Spread the brie wedges in one area, cluster the goat cheese rounds in another, and fan the manchego slices in a third section. Leave breathing room between them—this isn't about crowding, it's about abundance with intention. Step back and look. Does it feel balanced?

Drape the meats strategically:

This is where the magic happens. Fold your prosciutto into loose, organic shapes and position them to emphasize the heart outline, especially along the inner curves. Roll your salami into spirals and distribute them to catch the light. Fan your coppa slices to create visual texture and movement. The meats aren't just flavor—they're the graphic design of your board.

Scatter the jewels:

Now the fruits. Start with strawberry halves, focusing on the places where you want visual impact. Scatter raspberries gently—they're fragile and deserve respect. Drop pomegranate seeds in little clusters where there's still space. These reds and pinks are what make people gasp when they first see the board. The colors should feel almost edible, like you've captured summer's best moments on a plate.

Fill the spaces thoughtfully:

The mini peppers and halved cherry tomatoes go into the remaining gaps, filling them with fresh crunch and vibrant color. As you place each piece, think about color distribution—you want red and pink everywhere, not clumped in one corner. Add candied pecans in little clusters for warmth and visual interest. They'll catch light differently than the other elements.

Add the romance:

Dark chocolate–covered almonds scattered throughout add an unexpected luxury. If you're using heart-shaped candies, place them sparingly—a few strategically placed moments of whimsy rather than a scattered handful. Restraint here is elegant.

Frame with bread and crackers:

Arrange your heart-shaped crackers or thin baguette slices along the edges and in small piles within the heart. These are your guests' tools for enjoying everything else, so make sure there are enough. Good bread deserves to be visible and accessible.

Step back and admire:

Before serving, take a moment to look at what you've created. Are there any gaps that feel empty? Any colors that need balancing? This is your moment to adjust. Fill any remaining spaces with extra berries or nuts. The board should look lush and abundant, like you've generously given thought to every detail.

Serve immediately:

A charcuterie board is best enjoyed fresh, when textures are at their best and flavors are brightest. Let guests graze, explore, and discover their own favorite combinations. Watch their faces as they find that perfect bite of brie with red pepper jelly and prosciutto.

Save

I made this board for a person I was slowly falling in love with, though neither of us knew it yet at the time. Halfway through the meal, they reached for a strawberry that had somehow ended up next to the goat cheese, and in that small moment—the natural pairing, the satisfied smile—I realized that the best meals are the ones where everything works together without trying too hard. Some boards are just food. This one became a memory I still think about.

Choosing Your Cheeses Wisely

The trinity of brie, goat cheese, and manchego gives you three completely different experiences in one board. Brie is your soft, creamy comfort. Goat cheese is your tangy challenger. Manchego is your sophisticated bridge between them. But here's what I've learned: quality matters more than quantity. One perfect, creamy wedge of brie from a proper cheesemonger beats three mediocre blocks from a supermarket. When you're only using 100 grams of each, you're asking these cheeses to carry the flavor weight of the entire experience. Choose them as if you're selecting gifts for people you love, because in a way, you are.

The Color Story of Romance

Every red, pink, and magenta element on this board serves a purpose beyond flavor. The strawberries and pomegranate seeds are your brightest reds—place them where you want eyes to go first. The raspberries and beet hummus are deeper and more muted—they create visual rest and sophistication. The prosciutto's subtle pink tones bridge the gap between bold and delicate. When you're arranging, think like a painter. The color progression should feel intentional, moving the eye around the board naturally, making the whole thing feel like a carefully composed love song rather than a random collection of snacks.

Making It Personal and Memorable

This board becomes truly special when you adapt it to the people you're serving it to. Maybe they love almonds more than pecans—swap freely. Perhaps they're vegetarian—remove the meats and add roasted red peppers or marinated artichokes instead, and nobody loses anything. If you have time, use heart-shaped cookie cutters to cut cheese or salami slices—these tiny details are what people remember. Consider the wine you'll serve alongside it too. A sparkling rosé dances beautifully with the sweet fruits and salty meats. A light Pinot Noir adds earthiness and complexity. The board doesn't exist in isolation—it's part of a whole experience.

• Trust your instincts about arrangement. There's no single right way to organize a board, only what feels right to you in that moment.
• Prep your ingredients while you're still calm and creative, not while you're rushed and the platter is already in front of you.
• Remember that imperfection is charming—a board arranged with obvious care and a few natural asymmetries is more beautiful than one that looks artificially perfect.

Save

Making a beautiful board is really just about slowing down and paying attention. The heart shape is simply a vessel for generosity. What matters is that you've taken time to think about what tastes good together and what looks beautiful in combination.

Recipe Help

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

Use either a large heart-shaped tray or outline a heart on your platter with parchment paper before arranging ingredients to create a clear heart shape.

→ What cheeses work best for this spread?

Soft and semi-hard cheeses like brie wedges, goat cheese rounds, and thinly sliced manchego offer a nice variety of textures and flavors.

→ Can I make this without cured meats?

Yes, simply omit the prosciutto, salami, and coppa, then add extra roasted red peppers or marinated artichokes for a flavorful vegetarian alternative.

→ Which fruits add the best color and taste?

Strawberries, raspberries, red grapes, and pomegranate seeds provide vibrant red and pink tones along with fresh, tangy flavors that balance the board.

→ How should I arrange accompaniments like dips and nuts?

Place small bowls of beet hummus and red pepper jelly near the upper curves of the heart, and scatter candied pecans and chocolate-covered almonds to fill gaps and add contrast.

→ What are ideal crackers or bread for serving?

Heart-shaped crackers or thinly sliced baguette along the edges or in small piles within the heart shape add both visual appeal and crunch.