Veggie Tray

A make-ahead vegetable tray for easy entertaining

Course Appetizer

Keyword vegetables

Prep Time 20

Servings people

Cost 40

Equipment

1 Charcuterie Board or Platter

Ingredients

1.5 lb Carrots about 8 medium
2 each English cucumbers
4 each Bell peppers mixed colors
12 oz Sugar snap peas
2 bunches Radishes Trader joes has already trimmed and mixed colored ones in a bag. I love these!
1 head Broccoli or cauliflower
.5 lb A "special" or unique item Figs, nuts, olives or prosciutto
24 oz Dips/Hummus Buy store-made to make it easy
20 pieces Crackers or pita bread optional

Instructions

Shop. Buy vegetables using the amounts in the table above, adding about a third extra for anything you'll peel or trim.
Prep the vegetables. Wash, peel, and cut everything. Store in containers or zip-top bags in the fridge until you're ready to assemble.
Make the dips. Prepare any homemade dips ahead and keep them covered in the fridge. Transfer store-bought dips into small bowls.
Make the dips. Prepare any homemade dips ahead and keep them covered in the fridge. Transfer store-bought dips into small bowls.
Place the dips on the board first. Space them out so guests can reach one from anywhere along the tray.
Arrange the vegetables around the dips. Pile them on generously and overfill the board — a tray with breathing room looks like you ran out. Group by color so it reads as a centerpiece.
Fill the gaps. Tuck in the olives, nuts, salami or prosciutto, and whatever unexpected item you picked up.
Add bread just before serving. Pita and crackers go soft under plastic wrap in the fridge, so they're the last thing on.
Set out small plates and napkins alongside, and let guests help themselves.

Notes

You can prep your veggies the night before and keep them in an airtight container. Do the same with your dips if you are making from scratch.

An option is to arrange your entire board ahead of time. Then, cover it tightly with plastic wrap and keep it refrigerated until you're ready to serve. Once you're ready to serve, then add any bread or crackers to the board (doing this ahead of time will make them soggy).