Grazing Platter DIY

A grazing platter is not only inexpensive, but a fantastic option for your party - or even sunday lunch - everyone picks just what they want, options are endless, make it more fruit, more cheese, less meat...

My tips:

No need to make your own dips as I have here - simply purchase dips and pop into little dishes
Add a variety of cheeses and little cheese knives
Add some cold meats
Add variety of crackers
Get fruits that are in season - much cheaper
Copy inspiration from instagram or google!
Add nuts or dried fruits for something different

Basically, enjoy being creative.    Want to create one similar to mine above?  here is what I included:

- 1 x camembert cheese
- 1 x tub of baby bocconcini
- 1 x triple colour cheese
- 1 x herbed cheese
- 1 cup almonds
- 1 cup cashews
- passionfruits cut in half
- slices of danish salami
- mandarins left whole
- tiny baby gourmet tomatoes
- 2 x pomegranate cut in half
- 1 cup dried apricots
- 1 cup medjool dates
- Rice crackers
- Bread sticks
- Tortilla strips

DIP RECIPES:

Beetroot Dip

1 x can 450g baby beetroot finely chopped
250g (1 cup) greek natural yogurt
2 x tablespoons lemon juice
1 x teaspoon cumin
1 x teaspoon ground coriander
salt and pepper

Combine all ingredients in a bowl - add salt and pepper to taste.  So yum!

Guacamole

3 x avocadoes, smash!
half a teaspoon of cumin
squirt of lemon juice
half a small red onion very finely chopped
handful of baby tomatoes finely chopped
handful of fresh coriander (cilantro) finely chopped
sprinkle of sea salt (I use Maldon)

Combine all ingredients in a bowl.

Home-made Hommus

1 can chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup tahini
1 small garlic clove minced
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon cumin
Salt to taste

In a food processor mix the lemon juice and tahini first for about 1.5 minutes. 
Add the olive oil, garlic and cumin - process another 1 minute.
Add half the chickpeas - process another 1 minute.
Scrape down sides of processor and add rest of chickpeas - process another 1 minute.
With food processor running add 2-3 tablespoons of water till it looks smooth.
Add some salt, taste, add more if needed.
Serve in a bowl sprinkled with sumac or paprika and a drizzle of olive oil.