Hanging Gardens Appetizer (Printable)

Artful display of fresh veggies, fruits, cheeses, and dips presented on elevated stands for vibrant flavor and texture.

# What You 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, shaped 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:

01 - Wash, trim, and slice all vegetables and fruits as specified.
02 - Shape goat cheese into small balls and cube the feta cheese.
03 - Set mini-stands and bowls at varying heights on a large platter or board.
04 - Artfully place vegetables, fruits, and cheeses among the stands and bowls, allowing ingredients to overflow for a lush garden effect.
05 - Fill small bowls with hummus, tzatziki, and pesto, and position them among the other ingredients.
06 - Sprinkle toasted pistachios, fresh basil leaves, and edible flowers over the arrangement.
07 - Drizzle lightly with extra virgin olive oil, then season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
08 - Serve immediately, encouraging guests to pick and dip as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks impossibly fancy but takes less time than a phone call, so you actually get to enjoy your guests instead of stress-cooking.
  • Every element stays fresh and crisp because nothing touches hot surfaces, and the variety means there's something for everyone without compromise.
02 -
  • Prep all vegetables at least one to two hours ahead but don't assemble until thirty minutes before guests arrive—timing is everything with raw vegetables.
  • If anything feels limp by serving time, soak it in ice water for five minutes and pat it completely dry before placing it on the board.
03 -
  • Fill your dip bowls only halfway so they catch light and look deliberate—guests are more likely to use them than deep bowls that feel like cavernous holes.
  • Keep a spray bottle of water nearby during the party and lightly mist everything halfway through service; it refreshes wilted leaves and keeps the whole board glistening.
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