Save A playful and healthy vegetable platter arranged to resemble a T-Rex fossil, perfect for kids parties or themed gatherings. Served with a creamy ranch dip.
This recipe has always been a hit at my children’s parties, sparking both their imagination and appetite.
Ingredients
- Vegetables: 1 large cucumber, 2 large carrots, 1 yellow bell pepper, 1 red bell pepper, 1 small broccoli crown, 1 small cauliflower crown, 10 snap peas, 6 cherry tomatoes, 6 black olives (pitted for eyes and claws), 1 bunch baby spinach leaves (for background)
- Dip: 1 cup Greek yogurt, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon fresh dill chopped, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Wash Vegetables:
- Wash and dry all vegetables thoroughly.
- Slice Cucumber:
- Slice the cucumber into thin rounds for the T-Rexs vertebrae and tail bones.
- Cut Carrots:
- Peel and cut the carrots into thin sticks for ribs and limbs.
- Slice Bell Peppers:
- Slice the bell peppers into strips for the jaw spine and claws.
- Prepare Broccoli and Cauliflower:
- Break the broccoli and cauliflower into small florets for skull pelvis and joints.
- Arrange Spinach:
- Arrange baby spinach leaves as a base layer on a large platter.
- Assemble Fossil:
- Assemble the vegetables on top to form a T-Rex fossil shape using olives for eyes and claws tomatoes for accent bones or fossilized eggs.
- Make Dip:
- In a small bowl whisk together Greek yogurt mayonnaise lemon juice dill garlic powder onion powder salt and pepper until smooth.
- Serve:
- Serve the dip alongside the platter.
Save This platter is always a family favorite bringing smiles and playful moments at gatherings.
Serving Suggestions
Pair the platter with sparkling apple juice or lemonade for a refreshing complement.
Variations
Substitute ranch dip with hummus or guacamole to vary the flavors and cater to different tastes.
Storage
Keep vegetables and dip refrigerated separately and consume within 24 hours for best freshness.
Save This T-Rex fossil crudités bring creativity and healthy fun to any party in just minutes.
Recipe FAQs
- → What vegetables are best for creating the T-Rex shape?
Cucumber rounds work great for vertebrae and tail bones, carrots for ribs and limbs, bell peppers for jaw and claws, while broccoli and cauliflower form the skull and joints.
- → How can I keep the vegetables fresh and crisp?
Wash and dry all vegetables thoroughly before slicing. Keep them chilled until serving to maintain freshness and firmness.
- → Can I use a different dip instead of the creamy yogurt blend?
Yes, hummus or guacamole make excellent alternatives that complement the vegetable flavors and suit different dietary preferences.
- → Is this platter suitable for common dietary restrictions?
It’s vegetarian and gluten-free, but contains dairy and may have eggs in mayonnaise. Check ingredient labels for allergen information.
- → What tools make assembling the platter easier?
Using a sharp knife, vegetable peeler, and a large serving platter helps with precise cutting and arranging the vegetables into the dinosaur shape.