Save I'll never forget the summer I discovered that a charcuterie board could be more than just appetizers on a platter—it could tell a story. My friend invited me to a coastal cottage weekend, and I volunteered to bring the opening act. Standing in my kitchen, surrounded by cheeses and crackers, I had this vision: what if I could bring the ocean to her table before we even tasted the food? That's when The Anchor Maritime Board was born. Now, whenever I arrange one of these boards, I'm transported back to that moment of creative inspiration, and I love sharing that same magic with everyone gathered around the table.
I served this board at a surprise engagement party last summer, and watching everyone gather around it with their phones out, capturing the anchor shape before they even grabbed a bite, was pure joy. That's when I realized this isn't just food—it's a centerpiece that brings people together before the celebration even officially begins.
Ingredients
- Creamy brie, 150g wedges: The soft, buttery foundation of this board. I learned to cut it into wedges just before serving so it stays perfectly intact and creamy rather than becoming an oily puddle. It's the luxe touch everyone expects.
- Herbed goat cheese, 120g rolled into small balls: These little flavor bombs add brightness and tang. Rolling them in the herbs yourself means they stay fresher and the coating won't slip off.
- Blue cheese, 100g crumbled or sliced: This is bold and unapologetic, just like the ocean. If your guests are nervous about blue cheese, crumble it so they can control how much they take.
- Smoked salmon, 120g slices: Optional, but it genuinely elevates the maritime theme. Fresh smoked salmon should smell clean and briny—that's how you know it's good quality.
- Prosciutto, 100g: The silky, salty counterpoint. Lay it loosely rather than bunching it so each piece stays delicate and inviting.
- Large twisted pretzels, 100g for the anchor outline: These are your board's skeleton. I select the longest, most elegant ones and arrange them first before adding anything else. They give structure and that rope-like maritime feel.
- Round water crackers, 80g: Neutral and crisp, they're the perfect vehicle for any topping without fighting for attention.
- Baguette slices, 60g: Toast these lightly if you want them to stay crisp longer, but I often serve them soft for a tender bite with the cheeses.
- Blueberries, 100g: The anchor of your color story. They're portable, mess-free, and instantly say "coastal."
- Black grapes, 80g: These add depth to the blue palette and a juicy sweetness that balances the salty elements.
- Apple slices, 1 small apple: A crisp, light touch. Toss them lightly in lemon juice so they don't brown and stay bright and fresh-looking.
- Dried apricots, 50g: These little jewels add a subtle sweetness and gorgeous peachy-orange contrast within your blue-and-white theme.
- Cucumber slices, 1 small cucumber: Cooling and refreshing, they're the vegetables that actually feel summery and light.
- Sugar snap peas, 80g: Crunchy, sweet, and they stay that way for hours. Your guests will snack on these all evening.
- Radishes, 50g halved: These add peppery snap and gorgeous pink that peeks through the blue-and-white arrangement.
- Whipped cream cheese tinted light blue, 80g: Use just a tiny pinch of spirulina or butterfly pea powder—the color should whisper, not shout. This dip is your board's centerpiece of flavor and visual drama.
- Tzatziki or herbed yogurt dip, 60g: Cooling, herbaceous, and it ties everything together with Mediterranean brightness.
- White chocolate seashells or candies, 40g optional: These are pure visual magic. Even if your guests don't eat them, they complete the nautical story.
- Fresh dill sprigs or edible flowers: A handful of these scattered across the board makes it feel intentional and garden-fresh, like you picked them just before guests arrived.
Instructions
- Choose Your Stage:
- Select a large wooden board or serving platter—ideally something with character. Wood feels more summery and organic than ceramic. Take a moment to admire the space you're working with, because this board is about to become the focal point of your table.
- Form the Anchor:
- Lay out those beautiful twisted pretzels in the center of your board, creating an anchor outline. This is the fun part where you're essentially drawing with food. Overlap them slightly for that rope effect, and adjust until it feels balanced and strong. Step back and look at it—you're creating art here.
- Anchor the Dips:
- Place small bowls of your blue-tinted cream cheese and tzatziki at strategic points—perhaps where the anchor's flukes meet the board, or nestled in the anchor's eye area. These bowls will become landing spots where your guests naturally congregate.
- Fill the Anchor's Heart:
- Now comes the satisfying part: cluster your cheeses inside and along the pretzel outline. Alternate brie wedges, goat cheese balls, and blue cheese for visual variety. Drape the smoked salmon and prosciutto around these clusters, letting them fall naturally. Watch how the colors begin to sing together.
- Paint with Berries and Grapes:
- Scatter blueberries and black grapes along the pretzel outline and fill any gaps with them. They'll catch the light and create that perfect coastal sparkle. This is when guests start pulling out their cameras.
- Layer in the Vegetables:
- Arrange cucumber slices in neat little towers, scatter sugar snap peas in bunches, place radish halves strategically, and fan those apple slices. Keep your blue-and-white theme in mind—this board should look like the ocean inspired every placement decision.
- Scatter the Support Players:
- Arrange crackers and baguette slices around the perimeter of the board, outside the anchor shape. This gives guests easy access without disrupting your beautiful anchor centerpiece. Think of these as the frame around your maritime masterpiece.
- Add the Magic:
- Scatter white chocolate seashells throughout the board and tuck fresh dill sprigs into corners and gaps. Add any edible flowers in whites and blues. This is the finishing touch that makes people gasp a little when they see it.
- Serve with Joy:
- Serve immediately while everything is fresh and the presentation is pristine, or cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate until your guests arrive. Either way, you've created something beautiful that tastes as good as it looks.
Save There's something deeply satisfying about creating a board that makes people pause. At a gathering last month, I watched a reserved guest light up when they saw the anchor, and suddenly they were animated, telling stories about beach vacations and summer adventures. That's when food becomes more than sustenance—it becomes a shared memory before it even touches anyone's lips.
Building Your Own Anchor
The beauty of this board is that it's infinitely customizable while maintaining its coastal soul. When I make it for vegetarian friends, I simply omit the salmon and prosciutto, and the board loses nothing—the cheeses, fruits, and vegetables shine even brighter. If you're feeding people with nut allergies, swap the pretzels for breadsticks or cheese straws that have the same rope-like elegance. I've even made versions with herbed olives instead of grapes, or added a small bowl of marinated fresh mozzarella for a Mediterranean twist. The anchor shape is what ties everything together, so as long as you honor that structure, you can fill it with whatever speaks to your guests and your pantry.
The Color Palette as Your Guide
The blue-and-white theme isn't just pretty—it's practical. When you commit to a color story, your placement decisions become easier, and the board naturally looks cohesive rather than chaotic. The blueberries and black grapes aren't optional for this reason; they're your visual anchors (pun intended). I've learned that a board with too many colors competing for attention looks busy, but one with intentional color restraint looks sophisticated and curated. The white chocolate, white dips, pale cheese, and fresh dill all sing together because they have space to breathe. This is a lesson I apply to every board I make now—decide your colors first, and everything else falls into place more naturally.
Pairing and Serving Suggestions
This board deserves companions that echo its coastal elegance. A crisp Sauvignon Blanc is the obvious choice, but I've had stunning success with sparkling water with fresh lemon, which keeps the palette light and lets the food shine. If you're serving this as part of a larger spread, position it where guests encounter it early—charcuterie boards set the tone for celebration. The beauty of this format is that it functions as both appetizer and conversation piece. I've watched it single-handedly transform a room's energy from formal to friendly within minutes.
- Offer small plates and napkins nearby—charcuterie boards are interactive, and your guests should feel comfortable grazing without needing utensils
- Keep a cheese knife handy for the firmer cheeses, but mostly people will use their hands, which is exactly how this should feel
- If serving at an outdoor summer gathering, position the board in shade and monitor it in warm weather—soft cheeses will deteriorate quickly in direct sun
Save Every time I arrange an anchor board, I'm reminded that the best meals are about more than flavors and ingredients—they're about the moments we create and share. This board does that beautifully.
Recipe FAQ
- → How do I create the anchor shape on the board?
Arrange large twisted pretzels in the center of a wooden board, overlapping them to mimic rope, and build the anchor outline before filling it with cheeses and fruits.
- → Can this board be made vegetarian?
Yes, simply omit smoked salmon and prosciutto to keep it vegetarian while maintaining variety with cheeses, fruits, and veggies.
- → What dips complement this spread?
Whipped cream cheese tinted blue and tzatziki or herbed yogurt dips add creamy texture and work well with the board’s flavors.
- → How can I enhance the coastal theme visually?
Use blue and white color accents like blueberries, black grapes, tinted cream cheese, and edible flowers or white chocolate seashells for decoration.
- → What makes this board suitable for summer gatherings?
The fresh fruits, cool dips, and light cheeses combined with a fun anchor presentation evoke a vibrant, seaside summer mood.