Save A festive and impressive appetizer platter inspired by the Lunar New Year, featuring a vibrant selection of Asian-inspired bites arranged in the form of a dragon for a stunning centerpiece.
Ingredients
- Proteins: 16 cooked shrimp, peeled (tail-on for presentation), 200 g (7 oz) sliced Chinese BBQ pork (char siu), 8 chicken potstickers (store-bought or homemade) cooked
- Vegetables & Fruits: 1 English cucumber thinly sliced, 1 red bell pepper cut into strips, 1 yellow bell pepper cut into strips, 1 cup sugar snap peas blanched, 1 cup shredded purple cabbage, 1 medium carrot cut into thin matchsticks, 1 small bunch fresh cilantro, 1 small bunch green onions sliced diagonally
- Rice & Noodles: 1 cup cooked sushi rice cooled, 8 pieces seaweed-wrapped rice balls (onigiri or sushi-style)
- Sauces & Dips: 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce, 1/2 cup hoisin sauce, 1/2 cup soy sauce, 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- Garnishes: 1 red chili thinly sliced (optional for dragon fire), 1 small mandarin orange (for the dragons pearl), Black sesame seeds (for eyes and details)
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Prepare all ingredients and arrange them mise en place before assembling.
- Step 2:
- On a large serving board or platter outline a winding dragon shape using the cucumber slices as the body.
- Step 3:
- Layer shrimp BBQ pork slices potstickers and rice balls along the cucumber body to add color and texture imitating dragon scales.
- Step 4:
- Use bell pepper strips snap peas purple cabbage carrot and green onions to create vibrant fins spines and tail features along the dragons body.
- Step 5:
- Form the dragons head at one end using a rice ball decorating with black sesame seeds for eyes red chili strips for whiskers or fire and arrange cilantro for a feathery mane.
- Step 6:
- Place the mandarin orange near the dragons mouth as the pearl.
- Step 7:
- Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over the arrangement for added texture.
- Step 8:
- Serve with bowls of sweet chili sauce hoisin sauce and soy sauce for dipping.
- Step 9:
- Garnish with extra cilantro and green onions as desired. Serve immediately.
Save 
Save Pair with a sparkling sake or jasmine tea for a festive touch.
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I shape the platter to resemble a dragon?
Use thinly sliced cucumber as the dragon's body base, then layer proteins and vegetables to add texture and form fins, scales, and tail features. Finish with garnishes like black sesame seeds and chili for details.
- → Can I prepare the components ahead of time?
Yes, prepare and chill ingredients separately to maintain freshness, but assemble the board shortly before serving to keep vibrant textures and colors intact.
- → What sauces complement this platter?
Sweet chili, hoisin, and soy sauces provide a balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors that enhance the variety of proteins and vegetables.
- → Are there vegetarian substitutions available?
Swap shrimp, pork, and chicken potstickers for marinated tofu, tempeh, or extra vegetables to maintain a rich and diverse appetizer board.
- → How should I serve this platter for best effect?
Present it on a large flat board or platter as a centerpiece, with small dipping bowls for the sauces around the arrangement for easy access.