The Hanging Gardens Display (Printable)

A colorful medley of vegetables, fruits, cheeses, and dips served on elevated mini-stands for lively entertaining.

# What You'll Need:

→ Fresh Vegetables

01 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
02 - 1 cup baby carrots, trimmed
03 - 1 cup cucumber slices
04 - 1 cup radishes, thinly sliced
05 - 1 cup snap peas
06 - 1 cup endive leaves

→ Fruits

07 - 1 cup seedless grapes
08 - 1 cup strawberries, hulled and halved

→ Cheeses

09 - 5.3 oz goat cheese, rolled into small balls
10 - 3.5 oz feta, cubed

→ Dips & Spreads

11 - ½ cup hummus
12 - ½ cup tzatziki
13 - ½ cup pesto

→ Garnishes & Extras

14 - ¼ cup toasted pistachios, chopped
15 - ¼ cup fresh basil leaves
16 - 2 tbsp edible flowers (optional)
17 - ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
18 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
19 - Sea salt, to taste

# Directions:

01 - Wash, trim, and slice all vegetables and fruits as specified.
02 - Shape goat cheese into small balls and cube the feta cheese uniformly.
03 - Arrange mini-stands and bowls at varying heights on a large platter or board.
04 - Distribute vegetables, fruits, and cheeses among the stands and bowls, allowing for a lush, overflowing presentation.
05 - Fill small bowls with hummus, tzatziki, and pesto and place them strategically within the arrangement.
06 - Sprinkle toasted pistachios, fresh basil leaves, and optional edible flowers over the display.
07 - Lightly drizzle extra virgin olive oil and season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
08 - Present immediately, inviting guests to select and dip at their leisure.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • No cooking required means you can actually enjoy your guests instead of sweating in the kitchen.
  • The visual drama does half the work for you—people are already impressed before they taste anything.
  • It tastes as good as it looks, with enough variety that everyone finds something they love.
02 -
  • Prep everything at least 30 minutes ahead, but don't assemble until just before serving—wet vegetables on a platter lose their appeal fast.
  • The height variation is what stops this from looking like a standard veggie plate, so commit to using different levels even if it feels slightly precarious.
03 -
  • Chill your platter and ingredients beforehand so everything stays crisp longer and feels intentionally cool when guests first approach.
  • Make your dips slightly thinner than you think they should be—they thicken as they sit, and you want them scoopable when guests are eating.
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