Spicy Chili Pepper Fiesta (Printable Version)

Bold chili peppers paired with colorful dips and fresh accompaniments create a vibrant festive platter.

# Components:

→ Chili Peppers

01 - 3 large red bell peppers
02 - 3 large yellow bell peppers
03 - 3 large orange bell peppers
04 - 4 to 6 assorted fresh chili peppers (e.g., jalapeños, Fresno, serrano; adjust for heat preference)

→ Dips

05 - 1 cup classic guacamole
06 - 1 cup spicy roasted red pepper hummus
07 - 1 cup mango salsa
08 - 1 cup creamy chipotle yogurt dip

→ Accompaniments

09 - 2 cups blue corn tortilla chips
10 - 1 cup baby carrots
11 - 1 cup cucumber slices
12 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes

→ Garnishes

13 - ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
14 - 2 limes, cut into wedges

# Preparation steps:

01 - Wash and dry all peppers thoroughly. Slice bell peppers vertically into thick strips for scooping, reserving a few halves to serve dips inside.
02 - Cut chili peppers into thin rings or halve lengthwise for visual appeal; remove seeds to moderate heat if preferred.
03 - Place bell pepper strips and chili pepper slices on a large serving platter, grouping them by color for a vibrant presentation.
04 - Spoon each dip into small bowls or reserved pepper halves. Distribute dips evenly around the platter as colorful accents.
05 - Fill remaining platter spaces with blue corn tortilla chips, baby carrots, cucumber slices, and cherry tomatoes to add texture and color.
06 - Sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro and arrange lime wedges over the platter to brighten flavors and appearance.
07 - Present immediately, inviting guests to combine peppers with dips to their preference.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks absolutely stunning on any table, and guests always ask how you made it look so restaurant-perfect with such simple ingredients.
  • You can prep everything ahead and just assemble before serving, which means you actually get to enjoy your party instead of being stuck in the kitchen.
  • It's naturally vegetarian and gluten-free, so it welcomes everyone to the table without complicated substitutions.
02 -
  • Prep your peppers no more than a few hours before serving—they dry out and lose their crispness if left too long. If you're planning ahead, cut them and store them in cool water with a damp paper towel.
  • Keep your dips cold until the last moment. Cold dips taste fresher and stay better textured throughout your gathering. If any dip starts to separate or dry out, give it a gentle stir or refresh from the fridge.
03 -
  • Buy your peppers a day ahead and store them in the crisper drawer—they'll be extra crisp and fresh when you slice them, and everything performs better when it's cold.
  • If you're nervous about how much food to make, remember that this is an appetizer, not the main event. One platter serves six comfortably, but if you're feeding a crowd, the beauty is that it's easy to double or triple by simply grabbing more peppers and dips.
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