Hey guys, I know this is kinda dorky but I am in charge of making a veggie try for a party and I want it to be awesome. Not just boring carrtos and celery.

I was hoping maybe someone might have an idea or two on what is interesting or an attractive way to present them? I am not even sure what kind of veggies would be good on an hour derve tray.

Maybe someone has an idea for a great dip or something. Some of you gals are so creative, I thought I'd just pick some brains... I seem to be out of 'em tonight. I haven't played hostess much so I am kind of at a loss, yet I know I want something better than the $10.00 albertson's veggie platter. BO-Ring!

Thanks in advance!

cucumbers(cut in circles with only part of the peeling off-peel a section miss a section like a stop sign), cauliflower, broccoli, mushrooms, yellow sqaush(run a fork down the sides before cutting them up), celery, carrots, radishes(cut like flowers)... with multiple types of dressing like dill, ranch, honey mustard etc...

This makes a great veggie dip:

Hummus (the lower calorie version)

1 15oz can chickpeas
1 T. toasted sesame or flax seeds
3 T. plain LF yogurt
2 T. lemon juice
2 T. less 1 t. olive oil
1 T. soy sauce
1 t. sesame oil
1/4 t. salt
1/4 t. cumin
1/2 - 1 t. crushed garlic

Put the chickpeas and sesame seeds in the blender first (if you don't have sesame seeds you can omit but don't omit the sesame oil) and blend well. Add other ingredients and blend until smooth paste forms. Let chill 2 hours to 'mingle.'

Also, you can include veg not normally seen on a veggie platter - marinated mushrooms, artichokes, or hearts of palm - which are all available in cans or jars. Broccoflower is in season right now (half broccoli, half cauliflower) and comes in a pretty pale green color. Jicama too, is crispy and mildly sweet, cuts well into strips and adds another color (white). Zucchini, olives, pickles, cherry tomatoes - the possibilities in summertime are endless.

The veggies were pretty much covered by AmyJo. i think in alternachick food there is a recipe for GreenGoddess dip that sounds divine.
oh and when i am doing veggie snacks for me and the kids i get a can or two of baby corn rinse well in water and the kids just eat them up.
enjoy your party

I usually make my veggie tray with baby carrots, cucumber with the peel still on -cut into coins; red, yellow and orange pepppers cut into strips - I spread them out in a fan shape on the tray; cut up raw broccoli and cauliflower; and then some cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes. This makes a very colourful presentation.

An easy dip to make:

1 container of light or low fat sour cream
1 package of dill salad dressing mix
fresh dill- finely chopped

Mix the sour cream and dressing mix together in a bowl then add the chopped dill and mix well. Let chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour before serving.

I also use store bought hummous or roasted red pepper dip.

Korean California rolls...you make thin strips of veggies like carrots, red bell peppers, green onions (whatever you like I add pickled diakon and cabbage too) pile them separately on a platter take a couple of eggs and make a thin pancake then slice it in thin strips ..you can take some of the mock crab legs and make strips ..then take the seaweed sheets that are used for sushi rolls and cut them in half to be a square make a nice pile ..ok here is how I set it out
seaweed on a plate next to a large round platter with piles of the strips arranged nicely then next to that a bowl of soy sauce mixed with wasabe and ginger ....people take a piece of seaweed then roll the veggies into it and dip in the sauce! Wonderful easy (all but the slicing that takes some time) and makes a nice interactive healthy snack at a party

Thanks so much for the ideas. I think I will try a combination of the ideas and look for a good hummus to go with it. I want to use jicama because I tried it once and really liked it. I don't have to cook it or anything, right? just peel and slice?
I am so lame. *LOL*

I love the build your own california rolls idea. I was a bit unclear on some of the instructions...
"on a platter take a coupld of eggs and make a think pancake"
am I supposed to make pancakes too? Or am I supposed to make a pancake out of the eggs? Are the supposed to be boiled? I like the idea I'm just trying to picture what I'm supposed to do with it. *L*

Thanks!!

Jimica... I didn't see it mentioned. I love the stuff.

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Sorry I was not clear I should have reread this...ok what you do is take two eggs scramble them and then put them in a oiled or pammed skillet (I add some toasted sesame seed if I have it on hand) you want a thin egg pancake you can cut into thin strips ..It should be very thin I cook it on med until it is dry on top it usually covers the bottom of the skillet ...then when it is dry I take and flip it with my fingers cook the other side for like one min and carefully then flip it out of the pan on to a dry surface and cool while preparing the other stuff ..when cool roll it up and slice it in thin strips
all the strips are kind of a long jullienne about 1/4 inch by maybe 3-4 inch strips
the trick to this is to have neat piles of strips that are about the same size lots of colors and tastes ...and yes JICAMA is great for this easy to slice!
so picture this ..you have a big round platter devided like a pie then in each pie slice there is a pile of strips of veggies, the egg pancake strips and maybe some mock crap strips.. you take a slice of the seaweed in your hand and then a few (do not overload the roll) of each thing put it in the center of the seaweed roll it dip it and eat it!!!
Not only is this a very yummy recipe ...it suits almost every diet except maybe low sodium!...Low carb...low calorie..low fat..vegetarian.....vegan (if you skip the crab and egg) WW South Beach...all of them!!!! and an added bonus is it is really cheap to make!!! when you consider one red bell pepper makes a huge pile of strips!.....ctting the strips takes some time but is worth it ...I recruit my husband he is so anal that all the strips are perfect when he is done!!!! I really can not say enough about how nice this is and solves a lot of issues for a pot luck dish that unless you are offended by seaweed everyone enjoys!!!!....oh and it is really well with a cold beer if that is allowed in your eating plan!!!
Please let me know if this is not clear

HA HA HA HA roflmao - I know its just a typo but <mock crap strips> really tickled my funnybone HA hahahah

mmmmm mock crap

I said mock crap!!!!!! now that is really funny!!!! More coffee before I post again in the morning!!! hehehehhehe.....mock crap strips..wow...say it out loud...!!! it is even funnier!!!! I am leaving it...!!!