Creative Veggie Tray: Under The Sea

This coral reef creative veggie tray is perfect for our Under the Sea study, a mermaid birthday party, or ocean themed event. Make vegetables more interesting and you'll be amazed at how many kids will try them!

Ranch Dressing Vegetable Dip

This dip is thicker than your average ranch dressing because you need a stable foundation to build your reef. Suggested ingredients include:

• Ranch seasoning packet
• Sour cream
• Cream cheese

Spread Ranch Base

Choose a container with a flat bottom and sides that come up at least 1/2″. I love this square serving bowl of mine {here's a similar option} . Spread ranch dip evenly on the bottom, trying to keep the sides of the bowl clean.

*If you do get some dip on the sides of your serving dish, wipe clean with a damp paper towel or cloth before adding veggies.

Choose Your Veggies

Select your favorite vegetables and throw a few new ones in for experiment sake! My favorite ‘”reef” veggies include:

• Celery “seaweed”
• Sugar snap peas
• Cauliflower
• Broccoli
• Colorful carrots
• Sweet peppers
• Other veggies might include purple cauliflower, cucumber, jicama, grape tomatoes, steamed asparagus, or mushrooms

Sweet Pepper Anemones: Slice the tops off your sweet peppers to give them a flat bottom and make sure to vary the heights like they would be in nature.

Celery Seaweed: Use a sharp knife to cut strips at the top of your celery stalk. Make them thin so they will fan out slightly to resemble flowing seaweed.

Create Your Reef

Using a variety of veggies place them in different groupings around your serving dish. Carrots serve as the great center height for the front of the tray, then place the other vegetables around them.

At the back of the serving dish increase your height by using sugar snap peas, and celery stalks for the center. Arrange the veggies around them as desired. I love the look of low broccoli and cauliflower around the edges.

Creative Veggie Tray Coral Reef

Continue arranging your groupings until the tray is filled. It's okay for dip to show, negative space is a good way to highlight your creation.

Add Ocean Details

Now that you're creative veggie tray is done it's ready to serve but you can always place a few decorative seashells or fish on the platter for a final touch. Just make sure no one eats them! I LOVE these shells from Confection Deception and use them all the time.

Are you interested in trying a coral reef creative veggie tray for your next ocean themed gathering? If you do, I WANT TO SEE!!! I'd love to hear about it in the comments below. And if you share photos, I want to see it too!

Please tag us @partieswithacause on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram. We love celebrating all your hard work! 

Then join me, your Healthy Hostess for better-for-you holiday and party foods. Grab your free food substitution guide as the first step in your next healthy holiday gathering.

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