Veggie wreath and dip
Give your eyes a reason to be healthy and bright this holiday season with a holly jolly appetizer full of nourishment for your eyes. Encircled in a potpourri of fresh vegetables, including kale and broccoli (both containing the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin)1 and a carrot-sprinkled dip infused with beta carotene, this wreath-inspired platter not only helps reduce the risk of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration,1 but it also helps improve visual acuity.2
Veggie Dip
Serves: 5+
Time: 5 mins
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients:
2 cups sour cream
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/4 tbsp dried dill
1/4 cup fineley grated carrots
¼ cup broccoli floret tips
+ pinch of salt (to taste)
+ parsley garnish (optional)
Steps:
- Rinse all fresh ingredients.
- Using the fine side of your grater, grate a peeled carrot into fine shreds.
- Using scissors, cut tips of broccoli florets.
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine the sour cream, fresh veggies, and spices, mixing well. Add additional seasoning to taste.
- Place in a covered container overnight to allow flavors to set.
- Serve dip in a small bowl in the center of the wreath. Garnish with parsley.
Veggie wreath
Serves: 5+
Time: 25 mins
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients:
1/2 kale bunch.
8 cups broccoli florets.
3 cups trimmed brussels sprouts.
3 cups trimmed green beans.
1 cups snap peas.
2 cups cauliflower florets.
9 grape tomatoes.
Steps:
- Rinse all fresh ingredients.
- Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil on the stove. Next to the stove, prepare an ice bath.
- In boiling water, blanch broccoli for 1-2 minutes, removing with a draining spoon. Transfer broccoli to ice bath and chill. Repeat with Brussels sprouts, green beans, and the snap peas.
- Once all blanched vegetables are chilled, set them aside and let dry.
- On the platter, arrange kale in a full circle around the edges of the platter, with the stems pointing inward.
- Next, top the kale with broccoli in a full circle followed by the brussels sprouts, green beans, snap peas and cauliflower.
- Next, use the grape tomatoes to create small garnishes that resemble holly.