Rustic Wheel Appetizer Platter (Print Version)

A colorful platter featuring crisp celery and savory meat sticks arranged for easy sharing.

# Components:

→ Vegetables

01 - 6 large celery stalks, ends trimmed and cut into 10 cm sticks

→ Meats

02 - 12 beef, turkey, or pork meat sticks, approximately 10 cm each (e.g., Slim Jim or similar)

→ Dips (optional)

03 - 120 ml ranch dressing
04 - 120 ml honey mustard
05 - 120 ml hummus

# Directions:

01 - Place a large round wooden board or platter on a stable work surface.
02 - Set a small bowl of dip in the center of the board, if using.
03 - Lay celery sticks radiating outwards from the center bowl, forming spokes along half of the board.
04 - Fill the gaps between celery spokes with meat sticks, alternating spokes to create a wheel-like presentation.
05 - Present the platter at once, allowing guests to grab and dip as preferred.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks way more impressive than the five minutes it takes to throw together.
  • Everyone eats with their hands, which somehow makes any gathering feel more relaxed and fun.
  • You can prep it in the morning and let it sit in the fridge, then just add the dips right before guests arrive.
02 -
  • Cut your celery while it's still a little cold from the fridge; it stays crisper longer and doesn't wilt as quickly once it's been sitting out.
  • The key to the whole visual is making sure the board itself is actually round—a rectangular platter just looks like you didn't plan it, even if the arrangement is identical.
03 -
  • Chill your serving board in the freezer for 15 minutes before arranging; the cold surface keeps everything fresh-looking longer.
  • If you're serving this at a party where the ambient temperature is warm, swap out fresh dips halfway through and you'll avoid that unappetizing separated, oily look that happens to ranch on a hot day.
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