Food platters are ideal when hosting a party or any other social gathering. Vibrant, fresh, and brimming with options, you’ll definitely wow your guests when placing a loaded platter in front of them.
And, the best part about serving food in this way is that there are no rules. Your party platter can be with different types of foods, spreads, and other ingredients, meat, vegetables, wraps, cookies, fruits, cheese, seafood, vegan, or vegetarian food, depending on your guests’ dietary requirements.
One thing’s for sure, there’s one perfect platter for every occasion. You just have to choose.
You can put whatever you like, but it’s best to pick one style of the platter for your event. For example, different types of meat, cheese, wraps, vegetables, fruits, sweets and nuts, seafood, etc. Use your imagination and create a platter that will be a feast for the eyes and taste buds.
When choosing a platter for your event, consider the number of guests, how you will use it, and your guests’ dietary requirements. Even though you may not know if some of your guests is vegan, try to have an option for the major dietary needs.
Consider vegetarian/vegan, gluten-sensitive/gluten-free, paleo/low-carb/keto, children or picky eaters, etc. Keeping these options in mind will ensure all of your guests feel comfortable.
You can keep it simple, or dress it up with a variety of crackers and breads, dried or fresh fruits, spreads like jams, hummus, or honey, and olives.
Before choosing any of these platter ideas, figure out if you want to provide a three-course option, light grazing, or sweets and treats only.
Who doesn’t like gourmet meat platter or charcuterie with assorted cured meats? These fancy platters have been around for hundreds of years, but America has only recently got caught up in the trend.
A typical gourmet meat platter consists of meats, but you can also find them paired with cheese, bread, olives, fruits, pickles, mustard, or nuts. Common meats served in this way include prosciutto, salami, capicola, mortadella, and dry-cured chorizo.
This classic combination is perfect for any occasion. The hardest thing about creating this platter is choosing the best pairings. You can use cured or dry-aged items such as calabrese, prosciutto, chorizo, soppressata, mortadella, ham, and other salami styles.
When it comes to cheese, consider what goes well with the meat on your platter. There are many options depending on your preferences, from soft and creamy cheese like Brie, and aged cheese like Gauda and Gruyere, to firm cheese like Parmigiano Reggiano and Manchego, and blue cheese like Gorgonzola and Roquefort.
And, what goes well with meat and cheese? Wine! The combination is fabulous.
Fruit platters are perfect for vegetarians and vegans, as well as everyone who enjoys fruits. The variety of shapes and vibrant colors of fruits make these platters so inviting. When choosing the right fruit for your platter, it’s always best to use fresh seasonal fruit.
You can use melons, berries, pineapples, figs, kiwi fruit, grapes, oranges, and dried fruit. If you choose apples, pears, bananas, other fruits that tend to go brown, drizzle them with some diluted lemon juice to delay the browning process. Still, it’s best to avoid using these fruits, at least if cut.
Sweet platters are an easy, no-fail dessert option when hosting a party or another event. You don’t have to slice cake, worry if it’s cooked in the middle, or serve it out. A good sweet platter is all about balancing sweet elements and including less-sweet and fresher options like dried or fresh fruit.
You should consider adding items in different sizes, shapes, colors, and textures to make it more appealing and satisfying. Items to include in your sweet platter are muffins, fudge squares, wrapped candy, sweets and small chocolates, cookies, fresh and dried fruit, rolled wafers, etc.
Wrap platters are ideal for picky eaters or children. The shapes and colors of a wonderfully done wrap platter would attract even the pickiest eater to grab a wrap and take a bite.
Generally, this type of platter is a finger-food platter that’s easy to make and maintain, and even easier to eat. It allows you to have a vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-sensitive option.
You can use a variety of ingredients to make different types of wraps, such as veggie wraps, turkey wraps, lettuce wraps, roast beef wraps, chicken Cesar wraps, etc.
A wonderful addition to your wraps on your platter would be different dressings put in small dipping bowls.
Seafood platters are a great way to make your party unique and memorable. A selection of smoked salmon, oyster, and prawns served with a cold beer or wine is enough for a wonderful party.
Other seafood you can include is crab legs, clams and mussels, lobster, and your favorite fish such as tuna. Don’t forget dipping sauces and lime wedges.
Use your imagination to make a food platter that will impress your guests and give them something to talk about until your next party or event.
Article Posted In: Platters
Tags: platter ideas, platter ideas for party, platter ideas for event, meat platter, cheese platter, fruit platter, sweet platter, wrap platters, seafood platter
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Milena is an ESL teacher with over 7 years of experience in writing articles on her favorite topics - food and health. In her free time, she loves trying out new recipes, reading, listening to music, and walking in nature.
