Hanging Gardens Appetizer Platter (Printable)

An elevated platter vibrant with fresh veggies, fruits, cheeses, and flavorful dips arranged for elegant entertaining.

# What You'll Need:

→ Fresh Vegetables

01 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
02 - 1 cup baby carrots, trimmed
03 - 1 cup cucumber slices
04 - 1 cup radishes, thinly sliced
05 - 1 cup snap peas
06 - 1 cup endive leaves

→ Fruits

07 - 1 cup seedless grapes
08 - 1 cup strawberries, hulled and halved

→ Cheeses

09 - 5.3 oz goat cheese, rolled into small balls
10 - 3.5 oz feta cheese, cubed

→ Dips & Spreads

11 - 1/2 cup hummus
12 - 1/2 cup tzatziki
13 - 1/2 cup pesto

→ Garnishes & Extras

14 - 1/4 cup toasted pistachios, chopped
15 - 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
16 - 2 tbsp edible flowers (optional)
17 - 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
18 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
19 - Sea salt, to taste

# How-To Steps:

01 - Wash, trim, and slice all vegetables and fruits as specified.
02 - Shape goat cheese into small balls and cube the feta cheese.
03 - Arrange mini-stands and bowls at varying heights on a large serving platter or board.
04 - Distribute vegetables, fruits, and cheeses among the stands and bowls, allowing some overflow for a lush visual effect.
05 - Fill small bowls with hummus, tzatziki, and pesto, then place them strategically within the display.
06 - Sprinkle toasted pistachios, fresh basil leaves, and optional edible flowers over the arrangement.
07 - Lightly drizzle extra virgin olive oil and season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
08 - Present immediately, encouraging guests to pick ingredients and dip freely.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Guests feel like they're grazing through an actual garden instead of standing in front of a boring vegetable tray.
  • You can prep everything ahead and assemble it just before people arrive, which means you're actually present at your own party.
  • It's naturally vegetarian, gluten-free, and flexible enough that you can swap ingredients based on what looks good at the market.
02 -
  • Prep vegetables close to serving time, within two to three hours, so nothing becomes soft or discolored and everything stays crisp and appealing.
  • The height variation is everything—a completely flat arrangement loses the magic that makes this feel like more than a vegetable tray.
  • Slice vegetables at different thicknesses so guests have options between hearty bites and delicate nibbles.
03 -
  • If you're short on time, buy pre-cut vegetables from the market and arrange them yourself—the presentation is where your effort matters most.
  • Chill your platter or board before assembly so ingredients stay cool longer and dips don't start separating in the warmth.
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