Deep Sea Ocean Wave Platter (Printable Version)

Vibrant appetizer showcasing blue cheeses, green veggies, and fresh fruits in an ocean wave design.

# What You Need:

→ Cheeses

01 - 3.5 oz blue cheese, crumbled
02 - 3.5 oz creamy goat cheese, cut into small rounds

→ Chips & Crackers

03 - 3.5 oz blue corn tortilla chips
04 - 1.75 oz seaweed rice crackers

→ Vegetables

05 - 12 green olives, pitted
06 - 1 small cucumber, thinly sliced
07 - 1 green bell pepper, sliced into rings
08 - 1 handful sugar snap peas

→ Fruits

09 - 1 small green apple, thinly sliced
10 - 0.5 cup green grapes

→ Garnishes

11 - Fresh dill sprigs
12 - Microgreens (optional)
13 - Edible blue or purple flowers (optional)

# How To Make:

01 - Arrange blue corn tortilla chips on a large platter in a broad, curving line to emulate the crest of an ocean wave.
02 - Sprinkle blue cheese crumbles along and just behind the tortilla chips to accentuate the wave's movement.
03 - Place goat cheese rounds and seaweed rice crackers in gentle arcs parallel to the chip wave to add depth.
04 - Fill the curves with green olives, cucumber slices, and green bell pepper rings, allowing the colors to flow naturally.
05 - Nestle sugar snap peas and scatter green apple slices along with grapes throughout the wave for crisp, fresh accents.
06 - Finish with fresh dill sprigs, optional microgreens, and edible blue or purple flowers to enhance the oceanic theme.
07 - Present immediately using small tongs or cocktail picks for easy serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It's a conversation starter that requires zero cooking—just your eye for arrangement and a sharp knife
  • The flavors work together like a symphony: creamy cheeses, crisp vegetables, briny olives, and fresh fruit create a perfect balance that keeps people coming back
  • You can prep everything in advance and assemble just before guests arrive, leaving you calm and present instead of stressed in the kitchen
02 -
  • Slice everything right before assembly or at most an hour before—vegetables release moisture, apple browns, and everything starts looking tired. Fresh is visual too.
  • The platter should look abundant but not crowded. White space is your friend. I learned this after cramming too much onto a board and making it look chaotic instead of artistic.
  • Your goat cheese rounds will soften as they sit, which is fine—that's actually when they taste best. But if your kitchen is very warm, keep them cool until the last moment.
  • The arrangement matters less than the balance of flavors. If someone says a piece is out of place, it doesn't matter. If they say it tastes incredible, you've succeeded.
03 -
  • Set everything up on a platter that's been slightly chilled—cold surfaces keep delicate ingredients fresh longer and prevent wilting
  • Arrange the platter vertically if you're serving it at a standing party where people approach from one side; arrange it circularly if people will walk around a table on all sides
  • Save your most visually striking elements for the edges and high points—this is where the eye naturally travels first
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