Pin Celebrate the holiday season with a festive Holly Leaf Veggie Board that brings both beauty and health to your gatherings. This vibrant platter features fresh, crunchy vegetables meticulously arranged into the shape of holly leaves, with bright cherry tomatoes and red bell pepper pieces mimicking the iconic holly berries. Accompanied by a creamy dill dip, it offers a delightful mix of textures and flavors that will impress guests and satisfy cravings with every bite.
Pin This Holly Leaf Veggie Board can be a centerpiece of your appetizer table, enticing guests to snack mindfully while enjoying festive colors and shapes. The combination of crisp broccoli, cool cucumber, sweet grapes, and savory dip is sure to delight. Plus, customizing the berry clusters with red bell pepper and cherry tomatoes makes the visual impact truly special.
Ingredients
- Vegetables
- 1 large head broccoli, cut into small florets
- 1 large cucumber, sliced into thin rounds
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced into strips
- 1 cup sugar snap peas, trimmed
- 1 cup green grapes (optional, for color and shape)
- 6–8 cherry tomatoes (for holly berries)
- 1 small red bell pepper, cut into small circles or wedges (for additional berry effect)
- Dip
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Garnish (Optional)
- Fresh parsley sprigs
Instructions
- 1. On a large platter or board, sketch a holly leaf shape lightly with a pencil on parchment, or visualize the outline.
- 2. Arrange broccoli florets and sugar snap peas to form the borders of the holly leaves.
- 3. Fill in the leaf shape with cucumber rounds and green bell pepper strips, layering for texture and color.
- 4. Place cherry tomatoes and red bell pepper pieces in clusters at strategic points to mimic holly berries.
- 5. Add green grapes if desired for extra dimension and sweetness.
- 6. In a medium bowl, mix Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, dill, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth. Transfer to a small serving bowl and place it at the corner or center of the board.
- 7. Garnish with parsley sprigs for additional greenery.
- 8. Serve immediately or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung
For extra crunch, consider adding celery or additional snap peas to the veggie board. This not only enhances texture but also adds more color variety while keeping the overall look festive and fresh.
Varianten und Anpassungen
Swap the Greek yogurt for a dairy-free yogurt to make the dip vegan-friendly. You can also adjust the dip’s seasoning to taste or experiment with different fresh herbs like parsley or chives for variety.
Serviervorschläge
Pair this veggie board with whole-grain crackers or pita chips to offer a satisfying crunch and soak up the creamy dip. It’s perfect as an appetizer for holiday parties, family gatherings, or casual get-togethers.
Pin By following these simple steps and tips, your Holly Leaf Veggie Board will be a stunning and delicious addition to any holiday spread. Its blend of colors, textures, and fresh flavors invites everyone to indulge in a wholesome and festive snack.
Recipe Questions
- → How do I create the holly leaf shape with vegetables?
Sketch the outline lightly on parchment under your serving board or visualize it, then arrange broccoli florets and snap peas along the edges to form the leaf borders, filling inside with cucumber and bell pepper pieces.
- → Can I make the dip ahead of time?
Yes, the creamy yogurt-based dip can be mixed in advance and refrigerated. Assemble the veggie board just before serving for optimal freshness.
- → What is a good substitute for Greek yogurt in the dip?
For a dairy-free option, you can substitute Greek yogurt with a plant-based or coconut yogurt while maintaining creaminess.
- → Are there ways to add more crunch to the platter?
Yes, adding celery sticks or extra snap peas enhances the texture and adds delightful crunch to the presentation.
- → How can I serve this for a large party?
Prepare multiple boards using the same arrangement, or increase ingredient quantities to create a larger festive display that complements your serving space.