Valentine Charcuterie Board
This Valentine charcuterie board is the perfect balance of festive and savory, featuring a heart-shaped cheese ball covered in pomegranate arils, plus more cheeses, meats, and all things pink, red and white. It’s a beautiful way to celebrate love without going full dessert board.
Ingredients
Cheese ball ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 5 oz goat cheese
- 4 oz shredded white cheddar cheese
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 4 tablespoon finely chopped fresh herbs
- 1 pomegranate seeded
Remaining Ingredients
- 8 oz brie wheel
- 3 tablespoon raspberry jam
- ½ cup roasted bell pepper hummus
- 8 oz sliced salami
- 4 oz fresh raspberries
- 8 oz fresh strawberries
- 1 cup pasta salad
- 2 oz crackers
- 2 oz pretzels
- 8 baby carrots
- 8 jicama sticks
- 8 chocolate hearts
Instructions
- To make your cheese ball, blend cheeses, garlic and herbs until smooth. Place it in a sheet of plastic wrap, wrap it up and shape it into a heart.
- Chill until firm then press pomegranate arils all over it . Do make sure that the arils are dry or they won’t stick to the cheese. Chill until ready to serve.
- For the brie, carefully slice the top off the brie wheel. Using a small cookie cutter or pairing knife, cut out a heart from the top piece.
- Spread strawberry or raspberry jam over the brie wheel and place the top piece over the jam. Spoon jam into the heart opening. Chill until ready to serve.
- To warm, microwave in 15-20 second intervals until softened to desired liking.
- To assemble your valentine charcuterie board, start with the big items first. Use bowls roughly the same size as place holders if you are waiting for something to bake or cool.
- Add the crackers, chips, meats, fruits and vegetables directly on the board or in small bowls.
- Fill the small holes remaining with more fruit, candies or flowers.
Notes
Don't feel like making a cheese ball? But one at the store and shape it into a heart. You can also use one or two packages of boursin cheese for the cheese ball. Don't have pomegranate? Cover you cheese heart with chopped dried cranberries.
For meats, you can also use hard dry salami, softer cotto salami, serrano ham, mortadella, sopressata and/or dried chorizo.
You can make or use store bought hummus. You can also use salsa.
Use any assortment of crackers, pretzels or breads. They can be heart shaped or not, up to you.
Other fruit options include red apple slices and red grapes.
Other veggie options include cherry or grape tomatoes, bell pepper slices and radishes.
You can also add some raisins, dried cranberries, cashews, pistachios or almonds to fill in any gaps you have in your board.
For a touch of glam, add a few flowers like chamomile, pansies and roses.
