Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and we are excited to introduce you to the perfect holiday appetizer: "The Give-Thanks Veggie Platter". Transform your family snacks into a delicious decoration everyone will want to gobble up!
Watch out dinner turkey, you have some competition this year!!
Ingredients:
-5 to 6 celery stalks
-1 to 2 whole carrot(s) (or 3 to 4 baby carrots)
-1 to 2 red bell pepper(s) (large)
-1 orange bell pepper (mini preferred)
-1 yellow bell pepper (mini preferred)
-1 cucumber
-8 to 10 Olives
-Ranch powder mix
-1 1/2 cups of sour cream
*scroll to the bottom of this article for tips on cooking sustainably - Thank you!*
Step 1: Build the "Feathers"
First, let's make the base of our turkey's feathers!
Using 5 to 6 long stalks of freshly washed celery, horizontally chop each stick into two so that you have 10 to 12 pieces in total. Don't worry about thickness, but make sure that they vary in length because a turkey's feathers curve like one of our Beach City waves!
Once the celery is prepped, start in the middle of the dish and lay the stalks outward on either side. The tallest stalks should go in the center and the smallest stalks should be on the left and right ends.
By now, the tail feathers should start to take shape!
*Note: Make sure to save a sliver of orange or yellow bell pepper for later.*
After this, cut the yellow and orange bell peppers in half. Slice the halves into thin strips. Take these strips and, depending on length, fit 1 to 3 into the crevices of the celery. This adds layers and a pop of color to the turkey's feathers!
And just like that step 1 is complete!
Step 2: Build the "Body"
For step 2 we will be using the red bell peppers to create the turkey's body. Begin by chopping off the tops of the bell peppers and washing out the seeds. Then chop the bell peppers in half vertically and flatten each half. If a particular half is being stubborn and doesnt want to flatten, trim the bulky bits off of the end for better results. From here, either layer the halves in a round shape on the dish or create thick strips from each half and layer those in a round shape for more coverage.
Step 3: Build the "Wings"
*Note: Make sure to save two round, thin slices of carrot for later.*
We like to use whole carrots for our turkey, but baby carrots are also a tasty option. When using baby carrots simply cut 3 to 4 induvidual carrots into verticle thirds. If using whole carrots, cut thin, verticle slices until the carrot is complete sliced. These will be used for the turkey's wings. On the left and right sides of the Turkey's body, spread out the carrot slices into a wing formation.
Step 4: Mix the Dip!
Put 1 1/2 cups of sour cream into a bowl and add a single packet of powdered Ranch mix. Add more or less mix to control the strength of the flavor. Once thoroughly stirred, put the dip into a small, round container.
Step 5: Build the "Face"
Using the dip container as the head, take the previously sliced carrot circles and place them over the dip like eyes. Rememebr the sliver of bell pepper from earlier? Take that piece and shape it into a triangle for the beak! Place the beak on top of the dip and just below the eyes. For the final touch, slice 1 olive in half and place each half on the carrots to make pupils. It's aliveeeee!!!
Step 6: Add the Accessories!
Just for fun, we like to add additonal vegatables to fill up our dish! Horizontally chop up the cucumber and fill in the exposed gaps around the turkey to create a frame. Then take the remaining olives and place one on the top of each celery stalk for flavor!
Now take a step back and admire this work of art!!
Happy Thanksgiving Foodie Family!!
Did you give this recipe a try?? Let us know in the comments below - we'd love to hear from you!!
*Tips on how to cook sustainably:
Go local! Ingredients bought locally support not only the farmers and your health but the ecosystem as well. Responsibly sourced food means no harmful chemicals and no damaging of the Earth.
Reduce waste by reusing the scraps - we're not talking the bad bits, just the small bits that often get lost or tossed and would be a perfect addition to any meal!
Compost your remains - composting gives back to the Earth we reap from and encourages healthy soil.
Use less water - don't forget to turn the tap off when you're not using it!
Have leftovers? Pack them up in a reusable container and save them for later!
Thank you for committing to helping our planet heal!*
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