This Xmas veggie tray with dip/s can be shaped into a holiday wreath or Christmas tree for a quick, fun, festive appetizer, perfect for entertaining this holiday season!
In a large pot with a lid, pour in the water and bring to a boil. (You can avoid the steaming process and jump to step 5 if you prefer your veggies to be raw.)
Once your water is boiling, carefully add in layers of the cauliflower, broccoli, broccolini, and asparagus. Cover with a lid and reduce the heat to low heat. Do not lift the lid for 5 minutes.
Lift the lid and carefully remove your veggies with tongs and place them in a colander. Make sure to keep your vegetables organized so it’s easier for you to put the wreath together. Rinse with cold water to cool the veggies and stop them from cooking further.
Once your veggies are cool, start assembling the tray. First place the classic hummus in the middle of the tray. Then spread the broccoli evenly all around your hummus bowl. Make sure the broccoli florets are all facing up. After you have a solid base of broccoli, start adding the remaining veggies to make your own holiday wreath.
Notes
Use super fresh vegetables: For the best flavor and freshness.
Enjoy raw or cooked: Some vegetables work best raw (like cucumber and carrots), and some are better steamed/boiled or blanched to take off the ‘raw’ edge (like cauliflower and broccoli). However, it’s up to you what you’d prefer to do.
Don’t overcook the vegetables: Otherwise, they can become limp and/or mushy. It’s important to place the longest-cooking vegetables closest to the heat point, too.
Experiment with flavors and designs: Half the fun of assembling an Xmas veggie tray is experimenting with different ingredients/designs.