Save A festive and impressive appetizer platter inspired by the Lunar New Year, featuring a vibrant selection of Asian-inspired bites arranged in the form of a dragon for a stunning centerpiece.
This platter quickly became the star of our Lunar New Year celebration, impressing guests with both flavor and artistry.
Ingredients
- Proteins: 16 cooked shrimp peeled (tail-on for presentation), 200 g (7 oz) sliced Chinese BBQ pork (char siu), 8 chicken potstickers (store-bought or homemade) cooked
- Vegetables & Fruits: 1 English cucumber thinly sliced, 1 red bell pepper cut into strips, 1 yellow bell pepper cut into strips, 1 cup sugar snap peas blanched, 1 cup shredded purple cabbage, 1 medium carrot cut into thin matchsticks, 1 small bunch fresh cilantro, 1 small bunch green onions sliced diagonally
- Rice & Noodles: 1 cup cooked sushi rice cooled, 8 pieces seaweed-wrapped rice balls (onigiri or sushi-style)
- Sauces & Dips: 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce, 1/2 cup hoisin sauce, 1/2 cup soy sauce, 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- Garnishes: 1 red chili thinly sliced (optional for dragon fire), 1 small mandarin orange (for the dragons pearl), Black sesame seeds (for eyes and details)
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Prepare all ingredients and arrange them mise en place before assembling.
- Step 2:
- On a large serving board or platter, outline a winding dragon shape using the cucumber slices as the body.
- Step 3:
- Layer shrimp, BBQ pork slices, potstickers, and rice balls along the cucumber body to add color and texture imitating dragon scales.
- Step 4:
- Use bell pepper strips snap peas purple cabbage carrot and green onions to create vibrant fins spines and tail features along the dragons body.
- Step 5:
- Form the dragons head at one end using a rice ball decorating with black sesame seeds for eyes red chili strips for whiskers or fire and arrange cilantro for a feathery mane.
- Step 6:
- Place the mandarin orange near the dragons mouth as the pearl.
- Step 7:
- Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over the arrangement for added texture.
- Step 8:
- Serve with bowls of sweet chili sauce hoisin sauce and soy sauce for dipping.
- Step 9:
- Garnish with extra cilantro and green onions as desired Serve immediately.
Save As my family gathered around the board, the intricate dragon design sparked joy and excitement making our celebration truly memorable.
Required Tools
Large serving board or platter Small dipping bowls Sharp knife Small tongs or chopsticks for arrangement
Allergen Information
Contains soy (soy sauce hoisin sauce) shellfish (shrimp) and sesame Potstickers may contain wheat (gluten) soy or egg check labels if allergies are a concern Always verify ingredient lists if serving to those with allergies
Nutritional Information
Calories 220 Total Fat 4 g Carbohydrates 32 g Protein 13 g per serving
Save This Mighty Dragon board is a showstopper that's as delicious as it is beautiful perfect for your next festive feast.
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I create the dragon shape on the board?
Use thin cucumber slices to outline a winding dragon body on the serving board. Layer proteins and rice balls along the cucumber to mimic scales, and add colorful veggies for fins and tail features.
- → What ingredients provide the dragon’s colorful fins and spines?
Bell pepper strips, sugar snap peas, shredded purple cabbage, carrot matchsticks, and sliced green onions create vibrant fins and spines along the dragon’s body.
- → How is the dragon’s head decorated?
The head is a rice ball decorated with black sesame seeds for eyes, thin red chili strips as whiskers or fire, and fresh cilantro for a feathery mane.
- → Can I make this platter vegetarian?
Yes, substitute shrimp, BBQ pork, and potstickers with marinated tofu, tempeh, or extra vegetables for a vegetarian-friendly version.
- → What dipping sauces best accompany this platter?
Serve with sweet chili sauce, hoisin sauce, and soy sauce to complement the flavors and textures of the board components.
- → How should I prepare this board in advance?
Prepare all ingredients and arrange mise en place beforehand. Assemble the dragon shape just before serving to maintain freshness and vibrant colors.