Hanging Gardens Appetizer Display (Printer-friendly)

An artful mix of fresh veggies, fruits, and cheeses presented on elevated stands for visual appeal.

# 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, shaped into small balls
10 - 3.5 oz feta, 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

# Directions:

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

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours designing it, but it takes about twenty-five minutes and mostly just involves chopping.
  • Everyone finds something they want on the table, from strict vegetarians to cheese lovers to people who only eat things they can dip.
  • You can prep everything ahead and assemble it right before guests arrive, so you're actually relaxed when people show up.
02 -
  • Assemble the board as close to serving time as possible—vegetables weep, cheeses soften, and the whole thing looks fresher if you're not letting it sit for an hour beforehand.
  • If you're making this ahead, prep everything in containers and assemble on the board only when people are about five minutes away.
03 -
  • Use varying heights of risers and stands so the arrangement creates actual visual movement rather than just sitting flat.
  • Prep all your vegetables in advance and keep them in separate containers with a damp paper towel; they'll stay crisp for hours and assembly becomes a five-minute job.
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