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Fresh Spider Web Veggie Tray with Easy Creamy Ranch Dip

Spider web veggie tray - featured image
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A festive Halloween veggie tray arranged in a spider web pattern, served with a creamy homemade ranch dip. Quick to assemble and perfect for parties.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups broccoli florets, cut into small bite-sized pieces
  • 3–4 large carrots, peeled and cut into thin sticks about 3 inches long
  • 1 large English cucumber, sliced into rounds
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into strips
  • 3–4 celery ribs, cut into 3-inch pieces
  • 1 cup snow peas or sugar snap peas
  • 1 cup cauliflower florets, cut into small pieces
  • 1 cup sour cream (full-fat)
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup buttermilk
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1 teaspoon dried chives (optional)

Instructions

  1. Make the ranch dip first. In a medium mixing bowl, combine 1 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, and 1/4 cup buttermilk. Whisk until smooth and creamy. Add 2 tablespoons fresh dill, 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Stir well to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.
  2. Prep all your vegetables. Wash everything thoroughly under cold water. Cut the broccoli and cauliflower into small florets. Peel the carrots and slice into thin sticks about 3 inches long and 1/4 inch thick. Slice the cucumber into rounds about 1/4 inch thick. Halve the cherry tomatoes. Cut the bell peppers into strips about 1/2 inch wide. Trim the celery into 3-inch pieces. Pat all the veggies dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.
  3. Set up your platter. Place a small bowl (about 4-5 inches wide) in the center of a large round platter. If the bowl slides, put a tiny dab of dip underneath to hold it in place.
  4. Fill the center bowl with the chilled ranch dip, smoothing the top with the back of a spoon.
  5. Create the spider web pattern. Arrange the carrot sticks around the center bowl like spokes on a wheel, radiating outward. Space them about 1 inch apart at the bowl, fanning out toward the edge. Use about 12-16 carrot sticks total.
  6. Build concentric circles. Place cucumber rounds in a ring around the center bowl about 1 inch away. Add another ring about 2 inches further out, and a third ring near the edge of the platter. These circles should intersect with the carrot spokes.
  7. Fill in the gaps between the carrot spokes and cucumber rings with the remaining veggies: broccoli florets, cauliflower florets, bell pepper strips, celery sticks, snow peas, and cherry tomato halves. Vary colors and shapes.
  8. For a fun Halloween touch, place a few black olive slices on top of the dip to look like spiders (optional).
  9. Serve immediately or refrigerate. If not serving right away, cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2 hours.

Notes

Pat veggies dry to prevent soggy dip. Let dip rest for at least 15 minutes for best flavor. Make dip a day ahead for deeper flavor. Use a small bowl that fits the platter. Cut veggies uniformly for a neat web pattern. Don’t overcrowd the platter so the design is visible.

Nutrition

Keywords: Halloween, veggie tray, spider web, ranch dip, party appetizer, healthy snack

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