How to prepare a budget platter to entertain a crowd
Whether youโre hosting a Christmas party, or youโve been asked to bring the โchips and dipsโ to an event, with a little bit of planning and a smack of creativity, you can create a SUPER IMPRESSIVE platter like this one from the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge that will wow your guests.
And whatโs more, it doesnโt have to cost the earth either.
The Basics
The idea of a grazing platter like this is that it displays a lovely mix of little bites of food, like cheeses, dips, fruit, crackers and meat, all laid out that look so inviting, youโre not sure what to try first.
You donโt need to go out and buy lots of expensive meats and cheeses either! To make an impressive platter, you just need the right mix of colours, textures and tastes presented in the right way.
Before we get on to what to food to include, here are some tips on how to pull it all together.
1. What platter to use?
Donโt despair if you donโt have a super long wooden board just for entertaining. Thereโs plenty of other things you can use as a platter. A large breadboard or chopping board work well, or even a cookie or baking tray. Trays with sides are particularly good if you want to pre-assemble your platter to take to a party.
2. Include bowls for dips and things
Not only do little bowls break up the platter, but they also offer a practical way to store dips and things. They donโt need to be matching either. Just use a mix of bowls or ramekins or even small glasses.
3. What to include on the platter
The key is getting the right mix of things to include. This platter from the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge will comfortably serve 10 and comes in at around 400 calories per person.
Ingredients
- 4 medium Carrots cut into sticks
- 1 large Cucumber cut into sticks
- 6 x Gherkins 180g
- 200 grams Tasty cheese, cubed
- 1 tub Hummus
- 450g green Grapes
- Half packet of Water Crackers
- Half packet of rice crackers
- 75g Pitted Olives
- 1 x punnet of Strawberries – (melt 1/3 block dark choc and do half dipped in choc.
- 50g Pretzels
- 100 grams of Ham sliced and rolled
- 250g Cherry tomatoes
- 4 x Celery sticks
- 1/2 block dark chocolate
- 8g plain salted popcorn
- 250g blueberries
- 6 choc protein ballsย
4. How to Assemble the Platter
This is the fun bit. Once you have all of the prepared items on your kitchen bench, and you have chosen the appropriately sized platter:
- Start by laying your cubed cheese across the bench.
- Then space out your bowls and fill them with the hummus, gherkins and olives.
- Lay down the bigger items like grapes and tomatoes.
- Next, add the rolled up ham and veggie sticks.
- Add the crackers in groups, spacing them out.
- Fill in the gaps on your board with the little bits of fruit, chocolate, popcorn and pretzels.
5. Make a list, and check it twice!
With so many items included on this platter, it’s not a bad idea to have a list of all your ingredients so you don’t miss something or leave it in the fridge.
6. Last little bits
Seeing as youโve already cubed the cheese for your guests, you wonโt need to supply an array of cheese knives, but itโs a good idea to have some toothpicks or cocktail forks for some of the smaller items. You should also provide a couple of little bowls for things like the strawberry topsย And last but not least, donโt forget the serviettes.
Now, relax and have a great time!!!
For more platter and entertaining ideas, check out the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge!
- 28 days of at home exercise routines (no gym needed) โ with video instruction
- Customisable and breastfeeding friendly meal plansย (including 7 Day Cleanse)
- Time-efficient exercises for busy mums
- Challenge combines Pilates exercises with interval and circuit training (HIIT)
- Suitable for basic to advanced fitness levels
- Home to thousands ofย EASY-TO-MAKE recipes!
To learn more aboutย ourย 28 DAY WEIGHT LOSS CHALLENGE CLICK HEREย