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Perfect Spider Web Veggie Tray with Easy Ranch Dip

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A stunning Halloween appetizer featuring a spider web design made from fresh vegetables around a creamy homemade ranch dip. Quick to assemble and naturally healthy, this crowd-pleaser is perfect for parties.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (preferably Fage 2%)
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise (Duke’s or Hellmann’s)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (about half a lemon)
  • 1 teaspoon dried dill weed
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried chives (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste (about 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper)
  • 1–2 tablespoons milk or buttermilk to thin (optional)
  • 1 large round platter or pizza pan (12–14 inches wide)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
  • 1 large cucumber (sliced into thin rounds; English cucumber preferred)
  • 2–3 large carrots (peeled and cut into thin ribbons)
  • 1 yellow bell pepper (sliced into thin strips)
  • 1 cup broccoli florets (small pieces)
  • 1 cup cauliflower florets (small pieces)
  • 1/2 cup black olives (sliced)
  • Fresh spinach or lettuce leaves (for lining the platter, optional)

Instructions

  1. Make the ranch dip first. In a small bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, dill weed, garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, chives, salt, and pepper. Whisk until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 3 days).
  2. Prepare your vegetables. Wash and dry everything thoroughly. Pat them dry with paper towels.
  3. Make the carrot ribbons. Using a vegetable peeler, peel long, thin strips from the carrots. You want about 15-20 ribbons total. Set them aside on a paper towel.
  4. Slice the cucumber into thin rounds, about 1/4 inch thick.
  5. Prep the remaining vegetables. Cut the bell pepper into thin strips about 2 inches long. Halve the cherry tomatoes. Slice the olives. Break the broccoli and cauliflower into small, uniform florets.
  6. Line your platter. If using spinach or lettuce, arrange a single layer of leaves over the entire surface of your platter.
  7. Place the dip bowl. Set your small bowl or ramekin of ranch dip in the exact center of the platter.
  8. Create the web strands. Take your carrot ribbons and lay them out like spokes of a wheel, radiating from the edge of the dip bowl to the outer edge of the platter. Space them evenly—you should have about 8-10 strands. Gently curve each ribbon.
  9. Add the circular webbing. Using the cucumber rounds, create concentric circles around the dip bowl. Start about 1 inch from the bowl and space each circle about 1 inch apart. Gently tuck the cucumber slices under the carrot ribbons.
  10. Fill in the gaps. Arrange the bell pepper strips, broccoli florets, cauliflower florets, and cherry tomatoes in the spaces between the web strands. Tuck the olive slices in randomly.
  11. Create the spider. Take one extra-large olive or two smaller olives and place them on top of the dip in the center. Optionally, cut thin strips of bell pepper for spider legs and arrange them around the olive.
  12. Final check. Step back and look at your platter. Adjust any vegetables that look uneven.

Notes

The dip can be made up to 3 days in advance and tastes better after sitting overnight. Don’t prep vegetables more than a few hours ahead as cucumber slices release water and carrot ribbons lose their curl. Keep vegetables dry to prevent sliding. For best results, let dip sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: Halloween appetizer, veggie tray, spider web, ranch dip, party platter, healthy snack, vegetable platter

Find it online: https://dinadishes.com/perfect-spider-web-veggie-tray-with-easy-ranch-dip/