Arrowhead Directional Board (Printable)

Visually dynamic appetizer board with angled cheeses, meats, fresh produce, and a central dip for easy entertaining.

# 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 - About 3.4 fl oz herbed hummus or whipped feta dip in a small bowl

# Preparation steps:

01 - Place the dip bowl at one end or corner of the 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 - Position folded prosciutto and salami slices in lines directed toward the dip, maintaining the visual flow; omit for vegetarian option.
04 - Lay cucumber slices, red bell pepper strips, grape clusters, and cherry tomatoes diagonally, ensuring they angle toward the dip bowl.
05 - Place artisan crackers and baguette slices in radiating lines, all oriented to point at the dip.
06 - Distribute marcona almonds, dried apricots, and olives along lines between main components to reinforce the directional pattern.
07 - Adjust the arrangement for balance and fill any gaps, keeping all elements angled toward the focal dip bowl.

# Expert advice:

01 -
  • It's actually easier than it looks—once you place that dip bowl, everything else falls naturally into place like you're creating an edible work of art
  • Guests are genuinely impressed by the thoughtful arrangement, and they'll spend more time admiring it before diving in
  • The directional design makes serving itself interactive, like everyone's following an invisible treasure map right to the best flavors
02 -
  • The dip bowl placement is everything—once you commit to it, literally every other piece on your board falls into an intuitive pattern, so take a moment to really choose where it goes
  • Cutting shapes matter more than you'd expect; wedges and triangles naturally suggest direction in ways that random chunks simply don't
  • Diagonal slices of vegetables aren't just prettier—they actually feel directional and reinforce your visual story without you having to force the arrangement
03 -
  • Invest in a good cheese knife for the board itself—guests will use it, and a dedicated knife keeps flavors from mixing and shows you care about their experience
  • Bias-cut your baguette at a sharp angle (almost 45 degrees) rather than straight across; the longer slices feel more intentional and fit the directional aesthetic perfectly
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