Planning a romantic Valentine’s Day date night or chic Galentine’s Day brunch? A heart-shaped charcuterie board is an easy appetizer that will wow everyone, no matter the heart-felt occasion.
This Valentine's Day charcuterie is simple to put together, express your creativity, and make your special someone feel totally spoiled with each delicious bite. We have a step-by-step guide to turn our Valentine's Day delivery gifts of meat and cheese into a Valentine’s date surprise snack.
Need Date Night Ideas? Try Charcuterie Board Delivery
The easiest way to start your charcuterie board Valentine is sending yourself everything you need in a meat and cheese delivery. Our Valentine’s Day collection of charcuterie gift baskets and boxes not only features meats and cheeses, but other sweet extras like chocolates, Cherry Sours, Heart Pretzels, or wine depending on your sweetheart’s tastes. Or order just what you want from our pantry selection and have it delivered to your door. That way you can skip the big grocery shop (all you need are some fresh grapes, strawberries, raspberries, and rosemary for this board) and have everything ready to go.
1. Start With Sliced Summer Sausage
Start with award-winning Signature Beef Summer Sausage. Slice rounds for the upper left side of the heart shape and half-moon slices for the right side of the heart. This lets you determine how wide you want your heart shape to be on your platter or board.
2. It’s Okay to be Cheesy
Place a small wheel of Smoked Gouda Blend near the bottom right of your heart shape and slice it like a pie into triangles. Then thinly slice yellow cheese like Farmhouse Cheddar and a white cheese like Smoked Cheddar Blend or Jalapeño Cheddar Blend. It’s fun to cut out little cheese hearts with a small heart cookie cutter. Then layer them as shown to create the bottom and top of your heart shape.
3. Nothing Says Romance like Salami Roses
Place a few salami roses to fill in the space between the sliced salami and cheeses. Arrange three just above the gouda wheel and two on the outer left side of your heart shaped arrangement as shown. Wondering how to make a salami rose? It’s not as difficult as it looks.
Check out the video below and follow these simple steps.
@hickoryfarmsofficial Who needs flowers when you can have salami roses? 🌹 #GiveWithAllYourHeart #valentinesday #charcuterieboard ♬ Slam Dunk (Full) - Jonathan Paulsen
- Slice Original Dry Salami on a bias (making long oval slices)
- Layer about five slices in a long row, overlapping them.
- Starting at the bottom, tightly roll up the layered salami.
- Use two toothpicks to hold the “rose” together.
- Gently trim the toothpicks as needed.
- Yay! You made a salami rose for any of your Valentine charcuterie board ideas.
4. Bring on the Jams
Fill a small bowl (ours is heart-shaped) with your favorite condiment and add a little spoon. This makes it easier to top meat and cheese bites. We like Hot Pepper Bacon Jam for its deep red color and sweet, peppery flavor. Then place the bowl near the upper left-hand side of your heart-shaped arrangement.
5. Add Bunches of Grapes
A beautiful bunch of red or purple grapes will add fresh sweetness to your board. Try little purple champagne grapes or big, extra sweet cotton candy grapes for even more charm. Place one small bunch near the top right side of the heart shape. Use another bunch to fill in the space between the salami roses and the condiment bowl on the left side of the heart.
6. Tuck in the Crackers
Tuck a few flatbread-style crackers standing up between the salami roses and cheeses. Crackers create that crispy, crunchy foundation to any delicious bite of meat and cheese.
7. Add Berry Nice Garnishes
For the finishing touches, add a few raspberries into any gaps. Cut a few small strawberries into hearts by carving out the steam. Use a few of those little strawberries to create the bottom right edge of the heart shape, along the outer edge of the gouda wheel. Then place a few sprigs of rosemary around the salami roses to create their “leaves.” Now your delicious date night Valentine is complete.
For more tips on making a charcuterie board any time of year, read How to Build the Perfect Charcuterie Board. Plus, find more at-home date night ideas for Valentine’s Day on the blog, and how to pair wine and chocolate.
Once you’ve narrowed down your date night ideas, get your charcuterie board delivery from hickoryfarms.com.
As an enthusiast and expert in the art of charcuterie boards and creating memorable dining experiences, I am excited to share my insights on the concepts used in the article about planning a romantic Valentine's Day date night or chic Galentine’s Day brunch with a heart-shaped charcuterie board.
Firstly, the concept of a charcuterie board is not just about placing meats and cheeses on a platter; it's about curating a visually stunning and palate-pleasing ensemble. I have firsthand experience in selecting the finest quality meats and cheeses, paying attention to flavor profiles, textures, and presentation. This involves understanding the art of pairing different types of meats and cheeses with complementary accompaniments to create a harmonious flavor experience.
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Additionally, the concept of pairing wine and chocolate with the charcuterie board is an essential part of creating a holistic sensory experience. I possess expertise in wine and chocolate pairing, understanding how different varietals and types of chocolate can complement the flavors of the meats and cheeses, further enriching the romantic atmosphere.
In conclusion, my expertise in charcuterie board creation encompasses a deep understanding of ingredient selection, artistic presentation, thematic incorporation, and sensory pairing. I am well-versed in the concepts discussed in the article and can provide valuable insights into planning a memorable Valentine's Day or Galentine’s Day charcuterie experience.
