Arrowhead Directional Board (Printable)

A dynamic board arranged to guide cheeses, meats, and produce toward a central dip bowl.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cheeses

01 - 3.5 oz aged cheddar, cut into triangles
02 - 3.5 oz brie, sliced into wedges
03 - 3.5 oz gouda, cut into strips

→ Meats (omit for vegetarian)

04 - 3.5 oz prosciutto, folded
05 - 3.5 oz salami, sliced and folded

→ Fresh Produce

06 - 1 cup seedless grapes, cut into small clusters
07 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
08 - 1 small cucumber, sliced diagonally
09 - 1 small red bell pepper, sliced into strips

→ Crackers & Bread

10 - 1 cup artisan crackers
11 - 1 small baguette, sliced on the bias

→ Nuts & Extras

12 - ½ cup marcona almonds
13 - ¼ cup dried apricots
14 - ¼ cup olives

→ Dips & Spreads

15 - 1 small bowl (about 3.5 fl oz) herbed hummus or whipped feta dip

# Directions:

01 - Place the dip bowl at one end or corner of your board, establishing the arrowhead point.
02 - Arrange cheese wedges and triangles so their points all face toward the dip bowl, fanning out from the opposite side.
03 - If using meats, arrange folded prosciutto and salami slices in lines directed toward the dip, maintaining a consistent visual flow.
04 - Lay vegetables and fruit diagonally, ensuring slices and clusters angle toward the dip bowl.
05 - Arrange crackers and bread slices in radiating lines, all oriented to point at the dip bowl.
06 - Disperse marcona almonds, dried apricots, and olives along the lines between main components, reinforcing the directional pattern.
07 - Adjust the layout to achieve balance and fill any gaps as needed, keeping all components angled toward the dip bowl.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's deceptively simple to make but looks like you spent hours planning every detail—your guests will be genuinely impressed
  • The directional arrangement actually makes it easier for people to know where to start, creating a natural flow that encourages mingling and sharing
  • You can prep everything in advance and just assemble it minutes before people arrive, leaving you time to enjoy the party instead of being stuck in the kitchen
02 -
  • Preparation timing is everything—arrange this board no more than 2 hours before serving, or the cut vegetables will begin to weep and the cheese will lose its appeal
  • Angle truly matters for the visual impact; even if pieces aren't pointing perfectly at the dip, the consistency of direction is what makes the eye follow the flow
03 -
  • Let your cheeses sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving—the flavors bloom and the texture becomes more luxurious, making each bite count
  • Use odd-numbered arrangements when scattering nuts and dried fruit; your eye naturally reads odd groups as intentional design rather than accident
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