Save A festive and colorful appetizer platter inspired by the dragon dance, featuring an assortment of Asian-inspired bites arranged to resemble a dragon—perfect for Lunar New Year celebrations.
This platter became the centerpiece of our Lunar New Year celebration, delighting guests of all ages with its creativity and taste.
Ingredients
- Proteins: 8 cooked shrimp peeled and deveined, 8 slices Chinese BBQ pork (char siu) thinly sliced, 8 chicken potstickers store-bought or homemade cooked
- Vegetables: 1 cucumber thinly sliced, 2 carrots julienned, 1 red bell pepper thinly sliced, 1 yellow bell pepper thinly sliced, 2 cups edamame cooked and shelled, 8 lettuce leaves e.g. butter or romaine
- Fruits & Garnishes: 1 small mango thinly sliced, 1 small dragon fruit sliced and cut into scales, 3 sprigs fresh cilantro, 1 small bunch chives or green onions for whiskers, 1 sheet nori seaweed cut into small circles for eyes/nose, 2 black olives or grapes for nostrils
- Dipping Sauces: ½ cup soy sauce, ¼ cup sweet chili sauce, ¼ cup hoisin sauce
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Prepare all ingredients as directed cook potstickers and edamame slice vegetables and fruits and cut nori for facial features
- Step 2:
- On a large serving platter or board arrange the lettuce leaves in a curving line to form the dragon's body
- Step 3:
- Layer BBQ pork shrimp and potstickers along the lettuce to create the dragon's scales
- Step 4:
- Use sliced cucumber bell peppers carrots mango and dragon fruit to add colorful accents and define the dragon's body and tail
- Step 5:
- Sculpt the dragon's head at one end using edamame mango and dragon fruit Use nori circles for eyes and black olives or grapes for nostrils Chives or green onions can form the dragon's whiskers
- Step 6:
- Garnish the platter with fresh cilantro sprigs for extra color
- Step 7:
- Arrange dipping sauces in small bowls around the platter
- Step 8:
- Serve immediately guests can pick and dip their favorite bites
Save Sharing this platter during celebrations always creates joyful family memories and sparks conversations about traditions.
Notes
Pair with a light aromatic white wine or jasmine tea for the best complement to the flavors.
Required Tools
Large serving platter or board Sharp knife Small bowls for sauces Tongs or chopsticks
Allergen Information
Contains soy soy sauce edamame shellfish shrimp gluten potstickers soy sauce hoisin and sesame if used Check all labels for hidden allergens and adapt as needed.
Save This dragon platter not only tastes amazing but makes your Lunar New Year table come alive with festive energy.
Recipe Help & Answers
- → How do I assemble the dragon platter?
Arrange lettuce leaves on a large board to form the dragon's body, then layer proteins, vegetables, and fruits in a curved pattern, finishing with facial features made from nori, olives, and chives.
- → Can I make a vegetarian version of the platter?
Yes, substitute shrimp and BBQ pork with marinated tofu or a variety of additional vegetables to suit dietary preferences.
- → What dipping sauces complement this platter?
Serve soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, and hoisin sauce in small bowls for guests to mix and match with the bites.
- → How long does preparation take?
Expect about 40 minutes to prepare ingredients and 20 minutes to cook, totaling approximately 1 hour.
- → Are there any common allergens in this dish?
Yes, it contains soy, shellfish, gluten, and potentially sesame; verify all ingredients if allergies are a concern.