Save to Pinterest A festive and colorful appetizer platter inspired by the dragon dance, featuring an assortment of Asian-inspired bites arranged to resemble a dragon—perfect for Lunar New Year celebrations.
This platter was a hit at our Lunar New Year party, bringing both visual excitement and delicious flavors that everyone enjoyed.
Ingredients
- Proteins: 8 cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined, 8 slices Chinese BBQ pork (char siu) thinly sliced, 8 chicken potstickers (store-bought or homemade) cooked
- Vegetables: 1 cucumber thinly sliced, 2 carrots julienned, 1 red bell pepper thinly sliced, 1 yellow bell pepper thinly sliced, 2 cups edamame cooked and shelled, 8 lettuce leaves (e.g. butter or romaine)
- Fruits & Garnishes: 1 small mango thinly sliced, 1 small dragon fruit sliced and cut into scales, 3 sprigs fresh cilantro, 1 small bunch chives or green onions (for whiskers), 1 sheet nori (seaweed) cut into small circles (for eyes/nose), 2 black olives or grapes (for nostrils)
- Dipping Sauces: ½ cup soy sauce, ¼ cup sweet chili sauce, ¼ cup hoisin sauce
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Prepare all ingredients as directed: cook potstickers and edamame, slice vegetables and fruits, and cut nori for facial features.
- Step 2:
- On a large serving platter or board, arrange the lettuce leaves in a curving line to form the dragons body.
- Step 3:
- Layer BBQ pork, shrimp, and potstickers along the lettuce to create the dragons scales.
- Step 4:
- Use sliced cucumber, bell peppers, carrots, mango, and dragon fruit to add colorful accents and define the dragons body and tail.
- Step 5:
- Sculpt the dragons head at one end using edamame, mango, and dragon fruit. Use nori circles for eyes and black olives or grapes for nostrils. Chives or green onions can form the dragons whiskers.
- Step 6:
- Garnish the platter with fresh cilantro sprigs for extra color.
- Step 7:
- Arrange dipping sauces in small bowls around the platter.
- Step 8:
- Serve immediately guests can pick and dip their favorite bites.
Save to Pinterest This dish often brings my family together as we share stories while enjoying the vibrant platter during Lunar New Year celebrations.
Required Tools
Large serving platter or board Sharp knife Small bowls for sauces Tongs or chopsticks
Allergen Information
Contains soy (soy sauce edamame) shellfish (shrimp) gluten (potstickers soy sauce hoisin) and sesame (if used) Check all labels for hidden allergens and adapt as needed
Nutritional Information
Calories 210 Total Fat 6 g Carbohydrates 24 g Protein 13 g per serving
Save to Pinterest This platter combines artistry with flavor for a memorable festive appetizer.
Common Questions
- → How do I arrange the platter to resemble a dragon?
Start by laying lettuce leaves in a curving line for the body, layer meats and potstickers as scales, and use fruits and veggies to define the head and tail. Nori circles and olives create eyes and nostrils, while chives mimic whiskers.
- → Can I make a vegetarian version of this platter?
Yes, substitute shrimp and BBQ pork with marinated tofu or add more vegetables. Incorporate elements like sesame seeds or peanuts for added crunch.
- → What dipping sauces complement this platter?
Use soy sauce, sweet chili, and hoisin sauces to enhance the flavors. Serve them in small bowls around the platter for easy dipping.
- → How long does preparation and cooking take?
Preparation takes about 40 minutes and cooking roughly 20 minutes, totaling around 1 hour from start to finish.
- → Are there any common allergens in this platter?
The platter contains soy, shellfish, gluten, and potentially sesame; check each ingredient label to accommodate dietary needs.