Valentine's Day Chocolate Cheese Board

I can't think of a better holiday to celebrate with a cheese board than Valentine's Day. A board full of chocolate and cheese?? That's self love if I've ever seen it! The addition of chocolate makes this board the perfect thing to make for the holiday.Cheese boards can be a little overwhelming or intimidating. I have a few tips and tricks on where to get your stuff, how to pick the right cheeses, and how to arrange a board.

Cheeseboards 101

Where to get your cheese board ingredients from: TRADER JOES. If you are lucky enough to have one close to you, take advantage. They have a great selection of quality cheeses and meats for great prices. They also have a variety of crackers and nuts to choose from. TJs has tons of seasonal items, like the chocolates and red crackers I used, to make your board festive for any holiday.
How to choose your cheese: my rule of three! So many cheese options to choose from, it can be hard to pick a few that everyone will love and that will go well with the other food. I usually try to keep my boards to three cheese. First you'll want a soft, creamy mild cheese, like brie. Second, you'll want a medium cheese. Something that isn't too hard or soft or too mild or sharp. This could be Gouda, Havarti, etc. Last, you'll want a hard and sharp cheese. Cheeses like Parmesan, Asiago, Pecorino, or even an extra sharp cheddar are great. I also like to make at least one of my three a flavored one!
How to build your board: keep it small and rustic. There are so many big, elaborate cheese boards all over Pinterest and Insta, but keeping your board small can relieve so much stress when it comes to filling it up. The bigger the board the more food you have to buy and figure out how to arrange it. Keep in mind cheese boards are meant to be snacks or light meals, so treat them like one! I throw stuff on my board and then arrange it. I love the imperfect, piled up look because it makes people want to pick at it, which is the point. Sure everything needs its place, but the food can be touching and doesn't need to be perfectly aligned.