A delicious and impressive food platter is a sure-fire way to impress your guests and leave them with an unforgettable impression of your fine taste. The trick is to pick out the right mix of savory and sweet appetizers that are easy to eat and visually appealing. Incorporating a variety of different textures is also important to create a balanced plate. And don’t forget to add a variety of dips and spreads, which are the base for all great finger foods.
Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, cocktail hour or a family gathering, there’s always an occasion to put together a spectacular snack or appetiser plate. You can get creative with your platters by introducing fun themes, making them seasonal, or arranging foods according to their colour and texture.
If you’re looking for ideas to serve at a cocktail party, check out our cocktails and nibbles board that will impress your guests. This spread includes a mix of colourful and flavourful appetizers, like these watermelon skewers, spicy olive tapenade and smoky artichoke hummus. It’s also easy to assemble and can be made ahead of time.
Food platters can be a great addition to any meal, but they’re particularly useful for parties. These appetizers are quick and easy to prepare and are a great way to get your guests feeling happy and festive.
One of the most popular types of platters is a mezze platter, which is a grouping of small dishes served as an appetizer or a light dinner. It’s ideal for vegetarians and those who want to avoid gluten.
The best thing about this kind of platter is that it’s so versatile, as it can be adapted to suit your guest’s dietary needs. Simply switch out the hummus and olive tapenade for other dipping sauces, and add more vegetables like radishes, jicama or spinach. You could also swap out the olives for figs or dates, or try substituting the falafel for grilled chicken or lamb kebabs.
A deconstructed fattoush platter is a fun idea to impress your guests over a meal, and it can be a good use for any leftover salad leaves, pita bread, cheeses and other bits and bobs in your fridge. You can even use a homemade sundried tomato dip, if you have time to make it.
Another easy party platter is this simple fruit salad, which can be made ahead of time and can be arranged in a stunning way with a selection of fruits that are in season or on sale. You could also go for a jewelled platter with tropical fruits like mangoes, bananas and exotic dragonfruit.
If you want to turn your platter into a delicious dessert, try making these mini cheesecakes. It’s easy to make in a muffin tin and can be served with a sweet yogurt or chocolate dipping sauce. Or, for something a little more indulgent, you can thread a rainbow of fruit onto skewers and serve with a simple syrup or melted chocolate.