Save A festive and colorful appetizer platter inspired by the dragon dance, featuring an assortment of Asian-inspired bites arranged to resemble a dragon—perfect for Lunar New Year celebrations.
This platter has become my go-to for Lunar New Year parties because it combines taste and presentation effortlessly.
Ingredients
- Proteins: 8 cooked shrimp peeled and deveined, 8 slices Chinese BBQ pork char siu thinly sliced, 8 chicken potstickers store-bought or homemade cooked
- Vegetables: 1 cucumber thinly sliced, 2 carrots julienned, 1 red bell pepper thinly sliced, 1 yellow bell pepper thinly sliced, 2 cups edamame cooked and shelled, 8 lettuce leaves e.g. butter or romaine
- Fruits & Garnishes: 1 small mango thinly sliced, 1 small dragon fruit sliced and cut into scales, 3 sprigs fresh cilantro, 1 small bunch chives or green onions for whiskers, 1 sheet nori seaweed cut into small circles for eyes nose, 2 black olives or grapes for nostrils
- Dipping Sauces: ½ cup soy sauce, ¼ cup sweet chili sauce, ¼ cup hoisin sauce
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Prepare all ingredients as directed cook potstickers and edamame slice vegetables and fruits and cut nori for facial features
- Step 2:
- On a large serving platter or board arrange the lettuce leaves in a curving line to form the dragons body
- Step 3:
- Layer BBQ pork shrimp and potstickers along the lettuce to create the dragons scales
- Step 4:
- Use sliced cucumber bell peppers carrots mango and dragon fruit to add colorful accents and define the dragons body and tail
- Step 5:
- Sculpt the dragons head at one end using edamame mango and dragon fruit Use nori circles for eyes and black olives or grapes for nostrils Chives or green onions can form the dragons whiskers
- Step 6:
- Garnish the platter with fresh cilantro sprigs for extra color
- Step 7:
- Arrange dipping sauces in small bowls around the platter
- Step 8:
- Serve immediately guests can pick and dip their favorite bites
Save This platter always brings my family together during celebrations and sparks wonderful conversations about tradition and food.
Required Tools
Large serving platter or board sharp knife small bowls for sauces tongs or chopsticks
Allergen Information
Contains soy soy sauce edamame shellfish shrimp gluten potstickers soy sauce hoisin and sesame if used Check all labels for hidden allergens and adapt as needed
Nutritional Information
Calories 210 Total Fat 6 g Carbohydrates 24 g Protein 13 g per serving
Save This dragon platter is sure to impress your guests and make your Lunar New Year celebration memorable.
Recipe Guide
- → How do I assemble the dragon shape?
Arrange lettuce leaves in a flowing line for the body, layer shrimp, BBQ pork, and potstickers to mimic scales, and use sliced fruits and vegetables to define the head and tail.
- → Can I prepare elements in advance?
Yes, proteins and vegetables can be prepped ahead for convenience, but assemble just before serving for freshest presentation.
- → What are good dipping sauce combinations?
Offer soy sauce, sweet chili, and hoisin sauces to complement the diverse flavors and textures on the platter.
- → How can I make a vegetarian version?
Substitute shrimp and BBQ pork with marinated tofu or additional vegetables while keeping the vibrant presentation intact.
- → What tools are needed for assembly?
A large serving platter, a sharp knife for slicing, small bowls for sauces, and tongs or chopsticks for serving are recommended.