Ingredients:
Vegetables:
5 large carrots, peeled and cut into sticks
5 celery stalks, cut into sticks
8 ounces cherry tomatoes
18 kosher baby dill pickles
1 small English cucumber, peeled and cut into medallion shapes
Plus 1 small English cucumber for the Tzatziki sauce
12-18 marinated pepperoncini
12 ounce jar marinated Artichoke hearts quartered
8 ounces jar, pickled Dilly Beans
1 ounce Crispy crunchy dried okra (Trader Joe’s)
Cheeses and meat:
8 ounces Feta cheese, cut into small cubes
8 ounces mozzarella cheese, cut into small cubes
3 ounces Prosciutto
Fruits:
4 ounces pitted black olives
4 ounces dried dates
4 ounces dried cherries
1 large apple cut into slices and sprinkled with lemon juice
2-4 mandarin oranges, peeled and separated into slices
8 ounces or more, seedless green grapes
Pita and spreads:
14 ounce package pita flat bread
7 ounce package mini Naan bread
7 ounce bag pita chips
10 ounces, classic hummus
10 ounces, spicy hummus
Tzatziki Sauce:
½ cup finely grated cucumber
1 cup whole milk Greek yogurt
½ clove garlic
½ teaspoon olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon dried dill, plus extra for garnish.
Directions:
1. Place the grated cucumber on paper or kitchen cloth towels and squeeze out the excess water.
2. Using a medium bowl, stir together the grated cucumber, yogurt, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and dill until combined.
3. Transfer sauce to a serving bowl or dish. Sprinkle some extra dill over the top for garnish.
Presentation and arrangement ideas:
Presentation, presentation, presentation. If everything was just on one big table it would actually look kind of boring. We eat with our eyes first. By using a wide variety of cutting or serving boards, bowls, cups, glasses, jars etc. it will appear so much more appetizing and fun. Adding different shapes and sizes of serving vessels give depth and height to the table. Make it look like someone will want to take a selfie before they dish up.
Don’t be afraid of using the packaging the food is already in. Leave the lids, packaging or bags etc. out next to the food for a quick reference, advertise that food! You can even use blank computer address labels or index cards to label your food and set out next to the corresponding food section. Tape some of the labels to a toothpick or a wooden skewer.
Beyond using just a charcuterie board, you can use food grade cutting boards or serving trays. Even a baking sheet with a nice kitchen towel over it. Silicone baking sheets. Platters, shallow dishes, soup bowls, ramekins, colanders, coffee mugs, tea cups, short drinking glasses, Martini or shrimp cocktail glasses. Wicker baskets for the dry ingredients.
You could even garnish your table with basil, mint leaves, spinach leaves or parsley. Cut or shave some of your vegetables or fruits into flower shapes or your favorite sports team logo. Do an internet search for “garnish ideas for food”, there are plenty of excellent stuff to consider. Think of how fun it is when you go to a restaurant for brunch and how they present the banquet serving table. Most even do an ice sculpture, now that is having fun at presentation!
Have plenty of serving forks, spoons or toothpicks set out. Even a nice flat spatula works great for serving and spreading the hummus. A cheese knife if serving soft cheese. Serving tongs for picking up items hands free.
Additional food serving ideas:
Hummus- A wide variety of different store bought hummus you can consider: Roasted garlic, roasted red pepper, roasted pine nut, sun dried tomato, balsamic, lemon twist, buffalo sauce, jalapeno and honey, or sweet chili garlic.
Sauces- Beyond the classic Tzatziki sauce. You can consider store bought buttermilk ranch dressing, creamy Italian or honey Dijon.
Cheeses and meats- Manouri or Gouda cheese. Store bought in a jar, marinated Mozzerella pearls or marinated Feta and olives. Rotisserie chicken, smoked salmon, shrimp, prawns or gyros seasoned lamb, beef, pork or chicken.
Fruits, vegetables and nuts- Dried apricot or cranberry. Fresh Pomegranate. Lemon slices, strawberries, pears, radishes, pitted green olives, avocado, watermelon, peaches, kiwi or red bell peppers. Broccoli, cauliflower, or mushrooms. Pine nuts, almonds, pistachios, cashews or hazelnuts.