DIY platters are great way to incorporate an array of delicious treats all in one glorious place, while inspiring those inner foodie styling skills. Ideal for the summer season to showcase our beautiful summer fruits, combined with all your favourite foods; the options are endless, so Flannerys Organic & Wholefood Market Nutritionist, Gabriella Ciobotaru shares how you can create your own platters.
image via Bolivia Baran
Gluten Free Platter
A gluten free diet should not be an inconvenient factor when it comes to celebrations. If you are thinking on how you can still enjoy the variety of a fancy spread while on a gluten free diet, here are some tips and alternatives. Start with adding a source of protein, then place some aged cheeses, there’s a great selection in our fridge. Scatter nuts such as almonds, macadamia, hazelnuts around, and then include some fruit and vegetables. Go for chopped celery stalks, carrot, cherry tomatoes, grapes, figs and pears. Finally, you can’t forget the savoury and crunchy side of your platter. Add some nut and seed crackers and rice crackers, or opt for gluten free bread, such as buckwheat. Make sure you add some sauerkraut for some extra probiotics and your favourite gluten free dip!
Vegan Platter
Did someone mention a vegan platter? There are so many varieties and great food choices to replace the usual salami and cheese which are vegan friendly, nutritious and delicious. If you want a hard cheese alternative you can opt for an almond mozzarella type, or a coconut based cheddar cheese. For a soft cheese alternative there are a variety of cashew based cheeses available that can be plain, or choose a flavoured style with dill, Italian herbs or even a basil pesto. To replace the meaty flavour such as falafels or some plant based patties. For freshness, extra nutritional content, and more colour, play with your fruits and vegetables. Add apples, dried apricots or figs, capsicum, tomatoes, carrot and fennel. Select pieces that you can cut up and place decoratively on your platter.
Dessert Platter
And the most waited platter – dessert. There is no proper celebration without something sweet, and a dessert platter is the best way to alternate different types of treats. Start off with creating your own organic vegan cake. If you want to add something decadent and rich, opt for some squares of dark chocolate, our bulk bins have plenty of variety. Fruits are always a ‘go to’ for a dessert platter, so add seasonal organic mangoes, cherries, grapes, raspberries, and why not add a chocolate dipping sauce and top off with some crushed nuts? To decorate, add a few dried figs, apricots, plums, nuts.
