Save I'll never forget the moment I watched the opening ceremony of the Olympics on my grandmother's television, completely mesmerized by those five interlocking rings. Years later, when I was hosting my first dinner party, I wanted to create something that captured that same sense of unity and celebration. I spent an afternoon arranging colorful ingredients in circles on my favorite platter, and when my guests arrived, their faces lit up before they'd even tasted a thing. That's when I realized this dish wasn't just about flavor—it was about creating a moment of shared wonder.
I remember making this for my friend's promotion party, and she actually cried when she saw it because it reminded her of the Olympic dreams she'd had as a kid. We spent the whole evening talking about ambition and friendship while picking from each ring. That's the magic of a platter like this—it becomes the centerpiece of memory-making, not just eating.
Ingredients
- Blueberries (1 cup for blue ring): These are your jewels—pick ones that are firm and deeply colored. The slight tartness keeps your palate refreshed as you work through the other rings.
- Blue corn tortilla chips (1/2 cup, broken into bite-sized pieces for blue ring): Look for thinner chips that won't dominate the delicate balance. They add a satisfying crunch that plays beautifully against the soft berries.
- Blue cheese, crumbled (1/2 cup for blue ring): This is where you decide how bold to go. Start with less if your guests are cheese-shy; you can always offer extra on the side.
- Toasted walnuts (2 tbsp for blue ring): Toast them yourself if possible—the aroma alone will make your kitchen smell like celebration.
- Yellow cherry tomatoes, halved (1 cup for yellow ring): These sunny little orbs are the heart of the platter. Choose ones that feel heavy for their size.
- Yellow bell pepper, diced (1/2 cup for yellow ring): Sweet and crisp, this brings brightness without any bitterness. Cut it the morning of if you want maximum crunch.
- Pineapple chunks (1/2 cup for yellow ring): Fresh is always better than canned here. The tropical sweetness surprises people in the best way.
- Toasted cashews (1/4 cup for yellow ring): Buttery and rich, they ground the yellow ring with sophistication.
- Black olives, sliced (1/2 cup for black ring): Use the good ones—Kalamatas or Castelvetrano olives if you can find them. They're worth the splurge for the complexity they bring.
- Black grapes, halved (1 cup for black ring): These are the unsung heroes. They're sweet where olives are briny, creating perfect balance.
- Black bean hummus (1/2 cup for black ring): You can buy this or make it yourself. Either way, it's the anchoring flavor that makes the black ring feel substantial.
- Pumpernickel bread, cut into small rounds (1/2 cup for black ring): These little dark circles echo the ring shape itself. Toast them lightly beforehand if you want extra crunch and depth.
- Cucumber slices (1 cup for green ring): Slice these as close to serving as possible—they're your freshness guarantee. The pale green color is crucial for the visual impact.
- Green grapes, halved (1/2 cup for green ring): Tart and refreshing, they're the counterpoint to the creamy edamame.
- Edamame, shelled and steamed (1/2 cup for green ring): These little pods bring protein and a satisfying pop of texture. Steam them until just tender, not mushy.
- Fresh basil leaves (1/4 cup for green ring): This is your last-minute addition. The fragrance and color should be vibrant—if your basil is looking tired, swap it for fresh mint.
- Cherry tomatoes, halved (1 cup for red ring): The classic red, these are your anchor. Taste one first to make sure they're worth eating raw.
- Red bell pepper, diced (1/2 cup for red ring): Sweet and glossy, this completes the color story of the platter.
- Strawberries, halved (1/2 cup for red ring): The secret weapon of the red ring—unexpected and joyful. Their natural sweetness lifts the entire arrangement.
- Roasted red pepper hummus (1/4 cup for red ring): This brings smokiness and silkiness. If you can find one with a hint of garlic, even better.
Instructions
- Sketch your vision:
- Lightly outline five interlocking circles on your platter using a pencil underneath a sheet of parchment paper. Don't worry about perfection—these are just guides. The beauty is in the looseness. Once you can see the shape, carefully remove the paper and adjust your outline with your eyes. Think of this as mapping out your masterpiece.
- Start with blue, the beginning:
- Arrange your blueberries first in the leftmost circle, spacing them evenly and letting some overlap into the adjacent ring. This first ring sets the tone. Scatter the toasted walnuts between berries like little treasures. Add crumbled blue cheese in the gaps—taste as you go to make sure the salty tang doesn't overwhelm. Finally, tuck the tortilla chip pieces throughout, creating pockets of texture. Step back and look. Does it feel full but not crowded?
- Move to yellow, the warmth:
- The yellow ring sits below and slightly to the right of blue. Begin with your halved cherry tomatoes—they're sturdy and forgiving. Layer in the diced bell pepper, letting its bright face show. Scatter the pineapple chunks with intention, as their sweetness will be discovered as people taste. Finish with cashews placed strategically for visual interest and that buttery note when bitten.
- Layer in black, the sophistication:
- This ring sits in the top right and interweaves with blue and yellow. The black olives are your starting point—their dark circles echo the ring shape. Distribute the halved black grapes between them—this creates a visual conversation between salty and sweet. Dollop small spoonfuls of black bean hummus in three or four spots around the ring, then top with pumpernickel rounds. This ring should feel grounded and rich.
- Integrate green, the freshness:
- Below the black ring and overlapping with yellow, create your green statement. Cucumber slices are your foundation—arrange them in slightly fanned rows for elegance. Tuck in the steamed edamame pods in clusters, then scatter green grapes. At the very last moment—seconds before serving if possible—scatter your fresh basil leaves across the top. They should look vibrant and alive, not wilted.
- Crown with red, the passion:
- The final ring completes the Olympic symbol on the right side. Begin with your halved cherry tomatoes, arranged like jewels. Layer in red bell pepper pieces, then strawberry halves which will peek out like a secret. Add small dollops of roasted red pepper hummus in scattered spots, letting its color deepen the richness of the ring. This ring should feel abundant and celebratory.
- Step back and see the whole:
- Once all five rings are complete, walk away from the platter and look at it from above. Are the overlaps clear? Do the colors sing together? If something feels off, trust that instinct and adjust. Add a basil leaf here, rearrange a few berries there. This is your art.
- Serve with intention:
- Bring the platter to the table with pride. Serve immediately while everything is at its freshest, or if timing requires, cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to two hours. When you uncover it, that first moment when your guests see it—that's what it's all about.
Pin it The most magical moment came when a shy guest who rarely ate at parties came back for seconds and thirds. She told me later that the color-coded rings somehow made her feel less overwhelmed by choices—she could focus on one ring at a time, exploring flavors without the social anxiety of a traditional spread. That's when I understood that this platter does something deeper than just look beautiful.
Why Arrangement Matters
You can serve these five ingredients on a regular platter and they'll taste exactly the same, but they won't carry the same meaning. There's something about seeing the Olympic rings in food form that speaks to people at a level beyond taste. It's about aspiration, unity, and the idea that different things can come together in harmony. When you take time to arrange this thoughtfully, you're saying to your guests: 'You matter enough for me to create something beautiful for you.' That's the real ingredient in this recipe.
Variations and Customizations
The beauty of this platter is that it's a framework, not a formula. Allergic guests? Swap the nuts for seeds—sunflower seeds in blue, pumpkin seeds in yellow, sesame seeds in red. Going vegan? Replace the blue cheese with vegan cashew cheese and skip the hummus or use store-bought plant-based versions. Want to make it gluten-free? Swap pumpernickel for gluten-free crackers or simply use more grapes. The structure stays the same, but the ingredients become a conversation with your guests and their needs.
- Consider using different colored cheeses if you want to stick closer to traditional cheese traditions—manchego for yellow, aged cheddar for red.
- In winter, swap fresh strawberries for pomegranate seeds in the red ring for a jewel-like effect.
- Make it a game by cutting vegetable into slightly larger pieces, turning it into a delightful crunchy experience.
Pairing and Presentation
Serve this with a light white wine—something crisp like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio that won't overwhelm the delicate flavors. If you have non-wine drinkers, sparkling water with fresh citrus captures a similar celebratory spirit. Gluten-free crackers on the side give people options, but honestly, most guests will eat directly from the rings, forgetting etiquette entirely when they're this engaged with food.
Pin it Making this Olympic Rings platter is about more than feeding people—it's about creating a moment where beauty and flavor intersect. I hope it brings as much joy to your table as it has brought to mine.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → How do I assemble the interlocking rings?
Lightly sketch five overlapping circles on parchment as a guide, then fill each ring with its designated ingredients, ensuring the rings overlap slightly.
- → Can I make this platter vegan?
Yes, substitute blue cheese with plant-based cheese and use vegan hummus options to keep the platter vegan-friendly.
- → What are good serving suggestions?
Serve immediately or refrigerate up to 2 hours. Pair with gluten-free crackers and a light white wine for added enjoyment.
- → Are there nut-free options?
Yes, replace nuts with seeds to create a nut-free version suitable for guests with allergies.
- → What makes this platter gluten-free?
Use gluten-free bread or omit pumpernickel rounds and serve with gluten-free crackers to maintain gluten-free status.