Save 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 always delights my guests and is a highlight of our Lunar New Year festivities.
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.
Pin it This recipe brings my family together sharing stories and laughter as we enjoy the vibrant flavors.
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
Pin it This Lunar New Year Dragon Platter makes a show-stopping appetizer perfect for any celebration.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can this platter be made vegetarian?
Yes, you can replace shrimp and BBQ pork with marinated tofu or extra vegetables to suit vegetarian preferences.
- → What dipping sauces complement the platter?
Classic soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, and hoisin sauce are great choices to enhance the flavors of the platter.
- → How do I create the dragon shape?
Arrange lettuce leaves in a curved line for the body, layer proteins and vegetables as scales, and use sliced fruits and nori details to form the head and features.
- → Are there common allergens in this dish?
This platter contains soy, shellfish, gluten, and potentially sesame, so check ingredient labels and adapt accordingly.
- → What serving tools are recommended?
Use a large platter or board, sharp knife, small bowls for sauces, and tongs or chopsticks for easy serving.