Zig-Zag Lightning Strike (Printable)

An eye-catching arrangement of colorful vegetables, cheeses, and dips in a bold zig-zag pattern.

# What you'll need:

→ Fresh Vegetables

01 - 1 cup red bell pepper strips
02 - 1 cup yellow bell pepper strips
03 - 1 cup cucumber sticks
04 - 1 cup purple carrot sticks

→ Cheeses

05 - 3.5 oz sharp white cheddar, thin angular slices
06 - 3.5 oz black wax gouda, sliced

→ Fruits

07 - 1/2 cup blueberries
08 - 1/2 cup golden cherry tomatoes, halved

→ Dips

09 - 1/2 cup beet hummus
10 - 1/2 cup classic hummus

→ Crunchy Elements

11 - 1 cup blue corn tortilla chips
12 - 1/2 cup black sesame rice crackers

# Method:

01 - Wash, peel, and cut vegetables and fruits into long, angular strips or pieces to highlight sharp lines.
02 - On a large rectangular board or platter, create a bold zig-zag pattern from one corner to the opposite, alternating colors to enhance visual contrast, such as red pepper beside white cheddar and cucumber next to black gouda.
03 - Place beet and classic hummus in small bowls strategically at key junctions along the zig-zag for striking presentation.
04 - Nestle blue corn tortilla chips and black sesame rice crackers along the edges of the zig-zag to reinforce the angular shape.
05 - Scatter blueberries and golden cherry tomato halves along the pattern to add vibrant pops of color.
06 - Serve immediately to preserve freshness and maximize visual impact.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent all day on it, but honestly takes just twenty minutes—people will think you're a styling genius
  • Every color combination tells a story of contrast and harmony, making your table the star of any gathering
  • No cooking required means you can prep this while chatting with guests, making it the ultimate stress-free entertaining move
02 -
  • Dry every single ingredient thoroughly before arranging—any moisture will wilt vegetables and make the board look sad within an hour. This single habit transforms your presentation from wilted to pristine
  • Invest in a truly sharp knife for cutting. Crushing vegetables with a dull blade releases juice and destroys the crisp integrity you've worked to create. Sharp knife equals professional-looking cuts and better flavor
  • Cut your vegetables as close to serving time as possible. I learned this the hard way at my third party when cucumbers started releasing liquid. Aim for no more than 30 minutes before guests arrive
03 -
  • Use a mandoline slicer for perfectly uniform vegetable cuts—consistency is what transforms this from casual into polished and restaurant-worthy
  • Buy your cheeses from the deli counter and ask them to slice thin—those precise angles matter more than you'd think, and they'll do it better than you can cut by hand
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