Save A festive and colorful appetizer platter inspired by the dragon dance, featuring an assortment of Asian-inspired bites arranged to resemble a dragon&mdashperfect for Lunar New Year celebrations.
This platter is always a hit at our Lunar New Year parties; everyone loves picking their favorite bites off the dragon.
Ingredients
- Proteins: 8 cooked shrimp peeled and deveined 8 slices Chinese BBQ pork (char siu) thinly sliced 8 chicken potstickers (store-bought or homemade) cooked
- Vegetables: 1 cucumber thinly sliced 2 carrots julienned 1 red bell pepper thinly sliced 1 yellow bell pepper thinly sliced 2 cups edamame cooked and shelled 8 lettuce leaves (e.g. butter or romaine)
- Fruits & Garnishes: 1 small mango thinly sliced 1 small dragon fruit sliced and cut into scales 3 sprigs fresh cilantro 1 small bunch chives or green onions (for whiskers) 1 sheet nori (seaweed) cut into small circles (for eyes/nose) 2 black olives or grapes (for nostrils)
- Dipping Sauces: ½ cup soy sauce ¼ cup sweet chili sauce ¼ cup hoisin sauce
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Prepare all ingredients as directed: cook potstickers and edamame, slice vegetables and fruits, and cut nori for facial features.
- Step 2:
- On a large serving platter or board, arrange the lettuce leaves in a curving line to form the dragons body.
- Step 3:
- Layer BBQ pork, shrimp, and potstickers along the lettuce to create the dragons scales.
- Step 4:
- Use sliced cucumber, bell peppers, carrots, mango, and dragon fruit to add colorful accents and define the dragons body and tail.
- Step 5:
- Sculpt the dragons head at one end using edamame, mango, and dragon fruit. Use nori circles for eyes and black olives or grapes for nostrils. Chives or green onions can form the dragons whiskers.
- Step 6:
- Garnish the platter with fresh cilantro sprigs for extra color.
- Step 7:
- Arrange dipping sauces in small bowls around the platter.
- Step 8:
- Serve immediately; guests can pick and dip their favorite bites.
Save Preparing this platter always brings back fond memories of celebrating Lunar New Year with family and friends around a colorful feast.
Notes
For a vegetarian version replace shrimp and BBQ pork with marinated tofu or additional vegetables. Add sesame seeds or crushed peanuts for crunch. Pair with a light aromatic white wine or jasmine tea.
Required Tools
Large serving platter or board Sharp knife Small bowls for sauces Tongs or chopsticks
Allergen Information
Contains soy (soy sauce edamame) shellfish (shrimp) gluten (potstickers soy sauce hoisin) and sesame (if used). Check all labels for hidden allergens and adapt as needed.
Save This platter is perfect for festive gatherings and is sure to impress your guests with its vibrant look and delicious flavors.
Recipe FAQ
- → How can I adapt the platter for vegetarians?
Replace shrimp and BBQ pork with marinated tofu or extra vegetables like mushrooms and roasted eggplant for a satisfying vegetarian alternative.
- → What dipping sauces complement the flavors?
Soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, and hoisin sauce provide a balance of salty, sweet, and spicy notes matching the platter’s diverse bites.
- → What is the best way to arrange the dragon shape?
Use lettuce leaves to form the dragon’s body line, layering proteins as scales, and use sliced fruits and veggies to sculpt the head and tail features.
- → Can this platter be prepared ahead of time?
Yes, cook proteins and prepare fruits and vegetables ahead; assemble just before serving to maintain freshness and vibrant colors.
- → Are there any common allergens in this platter?
Yes, it contains soy, shellfish, gluten, and potentially sesame. Adjust ingredients accordingly for dietary restrictions.
- → What beverages pair well with this platter?
Light white wines or jasmine tea complement the fresh, diverse flavors and add to the celebratory mood.