Christmas Tree Veggie Platter Recipe – A Festive & Healthy

A Christmas Tree Veggie Platter recipe is a fun and creative way to serve fresh vegetables during the holiday season. This healthy, festive dish not only adds a pop of color to your holiday spread but also encourages your guests to munch on healthy snacks. Whether you’re hosting a Christmas party, a family gathering, or just looking for a light appetizer, this veggie platter is sure to be a hit. It’s an easy and customizable dish that’s perfect for both kids and adults, making it a holiday favorite!

Christmas Tree Veggie Platter Recipe – A Festive & Healthy Holiday Snack

Ingredients:

• For the base (tree shape):
  • 1 large cucumber (sliced into rounds)
  • 1 medium bell pepper (cut into strips)
  • 1 small head of broccoli (cut into florets)
  • 1 cup grape tomatoes (for tree decoration)
  • 1 cup cauliflower florets (for decoration)
  • 1 cup baby carrots
  • 1 cup snap peas (optional)
  • 1 small yellow or orange bell pepper (for tree trunk)
• For the dip (optional):
  • 1 cup ranch dressing or hummus
  • 1/2 cup Greek yogurt (for creaminess in the dip)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

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Nutrition (per serving, estimated):

• Calories: 80-100 kcal
• Fat: 4-6g
• Carbohydrates: 12-15g
• Protein: 2g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 5g

(Note: Nutritional values can vary depending on specific ingredients and portion sizes.)

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Prep Time:

• 10-15 minutes

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Active Time:

• 10-15 minutes

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Resting Time:

• No resting time required

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Total Time:

• 10-15 minutes

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Cuisines:

• American
• Holiday
• Vegetarian

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Course:

• Appetizer
• Snack
• Side dish

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Servings:

• Serves 6-8 people

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Equipment:

• Knife and chopping board
• Serving platter or tray
• Small bowls for dip
• Optional: Toothpicks (for decorating the tree with smaller items like grape tomatoes or olives)

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Instructions:

1. Prepare the Vegetables:
   • Wash and prep all the vegetables as needed. Slice the cucumber into rounds, chop the broccoli into florets, and cut the bell peppers into strips. Slice the carrots and snap peas if you’re using them.
2. Assemble the Christmas Tree:
   • Start by arranging the cucumber slices on the platter, forming a triangle shape (this will serve as the base of your tree).
   • Layer the bell pepper strips horizontally across the cucumber base to create a trunk shape.
   • Stack the broccoli florets in decreasing size as you move upward, creating the shape of a tree. You can use cauliflower florets and baby carrots for added texture and color on the tree layers. Use the grape tomatoes to decorate the tree, placing them in clusters to resemble ornaments.
3. Prepare the Dip (optional):
   • In a bowl, mix together the ranch dressing or hummus with Greek yogurt and lemon juice to create a creamy dip. Season with salt and pepper. You can also add fresh herbs like parsley or dill for extra flavor.
4. Serve:
   • Place the veggie platter with the Christmas tree in the center of the table along with the dip on the side or in small bowls. Serve with additional snacks or finger foods.

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Tips:

• Customization: Feel free to swap out any vegetables you don’t like or add others like celery, cherry tomatoes, or olives for more variety.
• Tree Shape: If you want a sturdier base, use larger vegetables like zucchini or squash for the tree layers.
• Kid-Friendly: Let children help decorate the tree with vegetables and use cookie cutters to make fun shapes like stars or snowflakes.

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Conclusion:

This Christmas Tree Veggie Platter is a healthy, festive, and fun way to add more vegetables to your holiday celebrations. Its vibrant colors and easy-to-follow design make it a visually appealing dish for any holiday table. Whether you’re aiming for a healthier option, catering to dietary restrictions, or simply want a fresh, crunchy treat, this platter will bring joy to your guests and make your holiday meal a little brighter.