Zig-Zag Lightning Strike Platter (Print)

Bold, angular arrangement of fresh veggies, cheeses, fruits, and dips crafted for a vibrant modern platter.

# Ingredients:

→ Fresh Vegetables

01 - 1 cup red bell pepper strips
02 - 1 cup yellow bell pepper strips
03 - 1 cup cucumber sticks
04 - 1 cup purple carrot sticks

→ Cheeses

05 - 3.5 oz sharp white cheddar, sliced into thin angular pieces
06 - 3.5 oz black wax gouda, sliced

→ Fruits

07 - 0.5 cup blueberries
08 - 0.5 cup golden cherry tomatoes, halved

→ Dips

09 - 0.5 cup beet hummus
10 - 0.5 cup classic hummus

→ Crunchy Elements

11 - 1 cup blue corn tortilla chips
12 - 0.5 cup black sesame rice crackers

# Instructions:

01 - Wash, peel, and cut vegetables and fruits into long, angular strips or pieces to emphasize sharp lines.
02 - On a large rectangular board or platter, arrange all components in a bold zig-zag pattern diagonally from one corner to the opposite, alternating colors to maximize contrast such as red pepper next to white cheddar and cucumber next to black gouda.
03 - Place the beet hummus and classic hummus in small bowls at key junctions of the zig-zag to enhance visual impact.
04 - Tuck blue corn tortilla chips and black sesame rice crackers along the edges of the zig-zag to reinforce the angular shape.
05 - Scatter blueberries and golden cherry tomatoes along the zig-zag for colorful pops.
06 - Present immediately to preserve freshness and visual appeal.

# Pro Tips:

01 -
  • Zero cooking required means you can prep this minutes before guests arrive, letting you actually enjoy hosting instead of stress cooking
  • The angular zig-zag pattern is so visually stunning that people assume you spent hours planning it, even though it takes just 20 minutes
  • It works for every occasion—from casual grazing boards to fancy appetizer spreads, and it's naturally vegetarian with easy modifications
02 -
  • Cut your vegetables at least an hour before serving and keep them in the refrigerator—this isn't just for storage, it's crucial for maintaining that satisfying crispness and keeping everything cold for hours
  • The contrast is everything, and that means thinking about color intentionally; if you put yellow pepper next to yellow tomatoes, the magic disappears, so study your ingredients before you start arranging
03 -
  • Cut everything on a sharp bias or diagonal—straight cuts look accidental, but intentional angles look like design
  • Keep your cutting board and all vegetables cold right up until arranging; temperature makes the difference between crisp and slightly limp
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