Save I'll never forget the moment I decided to create this platter. I was watching the Olympics with friends, completely mesmerized by those interlocking rings, when it hit me: what if I could capture that same spirit of unity and celebration on a plate? I spent the next hour in my kitchen, gathering colorful ingredients and arranging them like I was painting with food. The result was so stunning that my guests actually paused mid-conversation just to admire it before diving in. That's when I knew I'd created something special, something that brings people together through both beauty and flavor.
The first time I served this at a dinner party, I watched my guests' faces light up when they walked into the room. Someone actually gasped. A little girl at the table said it looked like "edible art," and honestly, that moment made every minute of preparation worth it. That's when I realized this wasn't just about feeding people—it was about creating a memory.
Ingredients
- Blueberries: These form the foundation of your blue ring and provide natural sweetness balanced with a slight tartness that cuts through the richness of the blue cheese beautifully
- Blue corn tortilla chips: They add a satisfying crunch and earthy depth; breaking them into bite-sized pieces keeps the ring approachable
- Blue cheese: The pungent, salty contrast here is what makes people come back for another bite—it's bold and unapologetic
- Toasted walnuts: These add texture and a nutty richness; toasting them beforehand intensifies their flavor dramatically
- Yellow cherry tomatoes: Sweet and juicy, they're the bright heart of your yellow ring and pair perfectly with the cashews
- Yellow bell pepper: Adds a fresh, crisp sweetness that keeps the ring feeling light and summery
- Pineapple chunks: The tropical element that makes people smile; fresh pineapple is always worth the extra effort
- Toasted cashews: Creamy and buttery, they soften the sharpness of the pepper and tomato
- Black olives: Briny and sophisticated, they anchor the black ring with bold flavor and earthiness
- Black grapes: Their sweetness provides a surprising contrast to the savory olives and hummus
- Black bean hummus: Creamy, protein-rich, and wonderfully complex—spread it generously on the pumpernickel for the best bites
- Pumpernickel bread: The sturdy texture and deep flavor ground the black ring; it's substantial enough to hold everything together
- Cucumber slices: Cool, crisp, and refreshing—they're the foundation of freshness in your green ring
- Green grapes: Similar to the black grapes but lighter, they add juicy sweetness without overwhelming the delicate flavors
- Edamame: Steamed until just tender, they bring a subtle nuttiness and satisfying bite that elevates the green ring
- Fresh basil leaves: Don't skip this; it's the aromatic surprise that makes the green ring memorable and authentic
- Cherry tomatoes: Halved to show their beautiful interior, they're the jewel of your red ring—choose the ripest ones you can find
- Red bell pepper: Sweet and slightly vegetal, it brightens the entire red section
- Strawberries: The unexpected ingredient that transforms this from merely delicious to genuinely magical
- Roasted red pepper hummus: Smooth, slightly smoky, and slightly sweet—it ties all the red elements together beautifully
Instructions
- Prepare your canvas:
- Take your large serving platter and use a pencil to lightly sketch five interlocking circles as a guide. Think of it like you're drawing the Olympic rings: two on the bottom slightly overlapping, two higher up overlapping each other and the bottom rings, and one at the top center. This guide is your safety net—you can erase it as you go or just use it as a visual reference. If you're hesitant about pencil marks, tape down parchment paper as a guide instead.
- Assemble the blue ring:
- Starting on the left, arrange your blueberries, blue cheese crumbles, tortilla chip pieces, and walnuts in a circular pattern. Layer them for visual interest—don't make it flat and uniform. Let some blueberries catch the light, nestle the cheese in crevices, scatter the chips casually. This is where your platter starts coming to life.
- Build the yellow ring:
- Moving to the bottom right, create your second ring with cherry tomatoes cut-side up to show their gleaming insides, diced bell pepper, pineapple chunks, and scattered cashews. Ensure this ring overlaps slightly with where your blue ring will interact. The yellows should sing together visually.
- Layer the black ring:
- This is your top center moment. Arrange sliced olives, halved grapes, small rounds of pumpernickel bread, and small dollops of black bean hummus. This ring will anchor everything and create visual drama with its deep, sophisticated darkness.
- Create the green ring:
- On the top right, arrange cucumber slices slightly overlapping, scatter halved green grapes, dot with edamame, and tuck fresh basil leaves between them. The basil leaves add a pop of life and fragrance that people will notice immediately.
- Complete the red ring:
- Finish your composition on the bottom right with halved cherry tomatoes, diced red bell pepper, halved strawberries, and small spoonfuls of roasted red pepper hummus. This ring should feel warm and inviting—the finale of your color story.
- Perfect the overlaps:
- Now step back and examine where your rings intersect. Adjust ingredients so the overlapping areas feel intentional, with colors bleeding into each other naturally. This is where the Olympic symbol truly comes to life.
- Serve with presence:
- Present your platter with pride immediately, or cover it loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2 hours. When people first see it, let them admire it for a moment before diving in—that pause is part of the magic.
Save My favorite memory with this platter happened when my eight-year-old nephew pointed at it and asked if it was too pretty to eat. His mom said it was okay to eat it, and I watched his tiny face light up as he discovered that beautiful things could also taste amazing. That's when I understood the real power of this dish—it's not just appetizers, it's wonder on a plate.
Color Psychology on Your Plate
There's something profoundly satisfying about organizing food by color, and I learned this completely by accident. When you see five distinct color zones, your brain relaxes a little—there's order, there's balance, there's a story being told. The blues and blacks feel grounding and sophisticated, while the yellows and reds feel energetic and celebratory. The greens tie it all together with freshness. That's not just decoration; that's psychology working in your favor, making people want to stay engaged with the platter and with each other.
Why This Works for Any Gathering
I've served this at birthday parties, baby showers, corporate events, and casual game nights, and it works beautifully every single time. It's vegetarian and can easily be made vegan or nut-free with simple swaps. It requires zero cooking, which means you're not stressed and sweating in the kitchen while your guests arrive. The most important thing I've learned is that people eat with their eyes first, and this platter gives their eyes something to feast on before they even taste a single bite. That matters.
Making It Your Own
The beauty of this platter is that it's flexible within its structure. Don't have toasted walnuts? Use sunflower seeds—they're just as beautiful in the blue ring. Not a fan of pumpernickel? Try black sesame crackers. Can't find fresh basil? Microgreens work gorgeously. The framework stays the same, but your personal touches make it yours. I've learned that the best recipes are the ones that respect your preferences while maintaining their essential character.
- Substitute nuts with seeds like pumpkin, sunflower, or sesame for a nut-free version
- Use gluten-free crackers in place of pumpernickel if that matters for your guests
- Pre-cut ingredients the morning of and store them in separate containers, then assemble an hour before serving for maximum freshness
Save This platter taught me that food doesn't have to be complicated to be memorable. Sometimes the most meaningful dishes are the ones that bring people together through beauty and simplicity, reminding us that celebration is just as important as nourishment.
Recipe Q&A Section
- → How do I create the interlocking rings layout?
Use a pencil and parchment paper to lightly sketch five overlapping circles on your serving surface, following the Olympic rings pattern as a guide.
- → Can I substitute any ingredients to accommodate allergies?
Yes, nuts can be replaced with seeds to make the platter nut-free, and plant-based cheeses and hummus options allow for vegan adaptations.
- → What makes the different rings distinct in flavor?
Each ring combines unique ingredients such as blueberries and blue cheese for the blue ring, and cherry tomatoes with roasted pepper hummus for the red ring, offering varied tastes and textures.
- → How should the platter be served and stored?
Serve immediately for best freshness or cover and refrigerate for up to two hours before serving to maintain quality.
- → What pairings complement this colorful platter?
A light white wine like Sauvignon Blanc pairs well, enhancing the fresh and tangy flavors presented across the rings.