Save A festive and colorful appetizer platter inspired by the dragon dance, featuring an assortment of Asian-inspired bites arranged to resemble a dragon&mdashperfect for Lunar New Year celebrations.
This platter is always a hit at our Lunar New Year gatherings, bringing vibrant flavors and festive fun to the table.
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 dragon's body.
- Step 3:
- Layer BBQ pork, shrimp, and potstickers along the lettuce to create the dragon's scales.
- Step 4:
- Use sliced cucumber, bell peppers, carrots, mango, and dragon fruit to add colorful accents and define the dragon's body and tail.
- Step 5:
- Sculpt the dragon's 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 dragon's 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 This platter creates joyful family moments as everyone gathers around to admire and enjoy the colorful dragon inspired bites together.
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 This Lunar New Year Dragon Platter is not only delicious but also a celebration centerpiece that delights guests and family alike.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → How do you create the dragon shape on the platter?
Arrange lettuce leaves in a curved line to form the body, layer proteins and sliced vegetables as scales, and use fruits plus nori and olives to shape the head features.
- → Can this platter be adapted for vegetarians?
Yes, swap shrimp and BBQ pork with marinated tofu or add extra vegetables to keep the vibrant presentation and flavors.
- → What sauces pair well with this platter?
Soy sauce, sweet chili, and hoisin sauce offer a balanced combination of salty, sweet, and tangy flavors for dipping.
- → What is the best way to prepare the potstickers and edamame?
Cook potstickers thoroughly according to package or homemade instructions and boil or steam edamame until tender before shelling.
- → How should the platter be served for best presentation?
Arrange all elements on a large platter, garnish with fresh cilantro, and place dipping sauces around for easy access and appealing display.