Pin This A festive and vibrant platter featuring fresh vegetables arranged as Santa hats, served with a flavorful dip—perfect for holiday gatherings and healthy snacking.
This platter was a hit at my holiday party and made healthy snacking fun for everyone.
Ingredients
- Fresh Vegetables: 1 pint cherry tomatoes, 1 large English cucumber, 1 red bell pepper, 6 radishes, 1 cup cauliflower florets, 1 cup broccoli florets, 1 cup baby carrots
- For the Santa Hat Assembly: 12 small mozzarella balls (bocconcini), 12 small basil leaves
- Dip: 1 cup Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives, 1 clove garlic finely minced, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Wash and dry all vegetables thoroughly.
- Step 2:
- Slice the cucumber into ½-inch thick rounds. Cut the red bell pepper into strips. Trim the radishes leaving a bit of the green stem for decoration.
- Step 3:
- Create Santa Hats Place a cherry tomato on top of a cucumber round. Add a basil leaf between the tomato and the cucumber for a decorative hat brim. Top each tomato with a mozzarella ball to mimic a hat pompom. Secure with a toothpick if needed.
- Step 4:
- Arrange the Santa Hats on a platter. Fill in remaining space with cauliflower florets, broccoli florets, radishes, bell pepper strips, and baby carrots for a festive look.
- Step 5:
- For the dip In a small bowl, combine Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, dill, chives, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth and well blended.
- Step 6:
- Place the dip in a small serving bowl and nestle it among the vegetables on the platter.
- Step 7:
- Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Pin This Sharing this platter with my family brought everyone together around a healthy and fun snack.
Notes
Pair with sparkling water or a crisp Sauvignon Blanc for a perfect holiday refreshment.
Required Tools
Sharp knife, cutting board, mixing bowl, serving platter, toothpicks
Allergen Information
Contains dairy (mozzarella balls, Greek yogurt, mayonnaise). May contain eggs (depending on mayonnaise used). Always check product labels for allergens.
Pin This This recipe is a simple yet stunning way to celebrate the holidays with healthy flair.
Recipe Q&A
- → How do I assemble the Santa hat veggies?
Start with a cucumber slice as the base, add a basil leaf for the brim, place a cherry tomato on top, then finish with a small mozzarella ball to mimic the pompom.
- → Can I make the dip dairy-free?
Yes, substitute Greek yogurt and mayonnaise with plant-based alternatives to create a vegan-friendly dip.
- → What vegetables work best for this platter?
Cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes, bell peppers, cauliflower, broccoli, and baby carrots provide color and texture.
- → How should I serve and store the platter?
Serve immediately for best freshness, or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve within a few hours.
- → Are toothpicks necessary?
Toothpicks help secure the stacked veggies and cheese for easier serving, but are optional if arranged carefully.