Pin I still remember the first time I arranged a platter that made people stop mid-conversation. It was at a summer gathering by the coast, and I wanted to capture that feeling of watching the ocean waves roll in—that moment when you're mesmerized by the blue-green movement of the water. I started playing with blue tortilla chips, different cheeses, and fresh green vegetables, layering them like ocean swells frozen in time. When I stepped back and looked at what I'd created, my friends gathered around it like it was art they could actually eat. That's when I realized a platter could be so much more than just food arranged on a board—it could tell a story and spark joy before anyone even took a bite.
I made this platter for my daughter's engagement party last spring, and it became the centerpiece everyone gathered around. One of her future in-laws, who I'd just met, spent ten minutes admiring it before saying, 'This is almost too pretty to eat.' Almost. Within minutes, people were reaching with their cocktail picks, discovering flavors that matched the beauty—the creamy tanginess of goat cheese next to the salty brined olives, the crunch of seaweed crackers against crisp apple slices. That moment taught me that food arranged with intention and heart creates memories that taste better than anything.
Ingredients
- Blue cheese, crumbled (100g): This is your anchor to the ocean theme, and it adds a bold, pungent depth. The crumbles catch the light beautifully and create texture that holds the platter together. I learned to taste it first—some blue cheeses are sharper than others, so if yours is particularly intense, you might use slightly less.
- Creamy goat cheese, cut into small rounds (100g): The mild tang of goat cheese provides a lovely contrast to the blue cheese and adds those beautiful cream-colored rounds. I use a small spoon to portion them onto parchment, then refrigerate until they hold their shape perfectly.
- Blue corn tortilla chips (100g): These create the wave foundation with their natural arch and rich blue color. They stay crisp longer than regular chips, and the slight corn sweetness complements the other flavors.
- Seaweed rice crackers (50g): These add an authentic oceanic note and delicate texture. They're thinner and more elegant than regular crackers, which elevates the whole presentation.
- Green olives, pitted (12): The brine-kissed flavor and smooth texture bridge salty and savory. I always drain and pat them dry so they don't make the platter wet.
- Cucumber, thinly sliced (1 small): Fresh, crisp, and cooling—these slices catch light like water droplets. Slice them right before assembly so they stay firm and glistening.
- Green bell pepper, sliced into rings (1): The rings echo the platter's flowing curves and add a sweet vegetable note. Remove the seeds carefully so the rings stay intact.
- Sugar snap peas (1 handful): Raw and snappy, these add texture and that bright green that makes the platter sing. Leave a few with stems attached for visual interest.
- Green apple, thinly sliced (1 small): The tartness cuts through the rich cheeses beautifully. Toss slices lightly in lemon juice to prevent browning and to add subtle brightness.
- Green grapes (1/2 cup): Their natural sweetness and perfectly round shape create visual balance and dots of brightness throughout the waves.
- Fresh dill sprigs: This herb tastes like the ocean smells. Its feathery fronds add movement and depth. Pick fresh dill just before serving if you can.
- Microgreens and edible flowers (optional): These are the finishing touches that say 'I cared.' The flowers especially add that magical element that makes people pause.
Instructions
- Create Your Wave Foundation:
- Take your large platter and imagine an ocean wave rolling across it from one side to the other. Start arranging your blue corn tortilla chips in a broad, sweeping arc—this is your wave's crest. Don't make it too straight; let it have rhythm and flow, like water actually moving. This takes about two minutes, and there's something meditative about the process as you position each chip slightly overlapping the next.
- Build the Depth with Blue Cheese:
- Now crumble your blue cheese along the inner edge of the tortilla chip wave. This is where the cheese gets darker and richer, where the wave has the most movement. The crumbles will nestle into the curves beautifully and catch the light. You're essentially shadowing the wave to give it dimension.
- Layer in the Middle Tones:
- Arrange your goat cheese rounds and seaweed crackers in gentle arcs parallel to the main wave—think of these as secondary waves following the primary one. This is where patience pays off. Let them follow the curve of the chips, creating layers of depth. Step back occasionally and squint; your platter should read as ocean movement even from across the room.
- Fill the Curves with Color and Freshness:
- Now comes the fun part—filling the negative spaces. Arrange your green olives, cucumber slices, and bell pepper rings along the curves, letting colors flow organically. Don't overthink placement; nature isn't perfectly symmetrical, and neither should your ocean be. The cucumber slices particularly should angle slightly to suggest water movement.
- Scatter Your Jewels:
- Tuck sugar snap peas here and there, letting a few point in different directions. Scatter green apple slices and grapes throughout like precious stones catching sunlight on water. This is where you step back and look for gaps—places that need brightness or balance.
- Crown It with Garnish:
- This is the moment of magic. Tuck fresh dill sprigs throughout the platter so they look like sea plants swaying. Add microgreens for tiny texture, and place your edible flowers—blues and purples work best—where they'll catch the eye. These garnishes transform good into unforgettable.
- Serve with Intention:
- Set out small serving tongs or cocktail picks beside the platter. Serve immediately, while everything is at its freshest and crispest. The presentation is half the experience, so give it a moment to be admired before the eating begins.
Pin My favorite memory with this platter is watching my seven-year-old nephew lean over it with wonder, asking if it was real ocean water made of vegetables. In his imagination, he was eating the sea itself. I let him arrange some of the final pieces, and he placed the edible flowers with such care, treating them like treasures. That's when I truly understood the gift of a platter like this—it's not just food, it's an invitation to play, imagine, and create together.
Why Colors Matter More Than You Think
When I first started making platters, I thought flavor was everything. Then I realized that we eat with our eyes first, and the blue-green color story of this platter actually makes it taste better. Your brain expects certain flavors from certain colors, and when you see blues and greens together, you think of freshness, ocean, nature—all positive associations that prime your palate. The moment someone sees this platter, their mouth begins watering before they've even picked up a piece. That's not magic; that's the science of color and psychology working in your favor.
Making It Your Own
This is a platter that loves personalization. I've made versions with blue spirulina-dusted almonds that add crunch and deepen the ocean theme. Others have added thinly sliced fennel for subtle anise notes, or blue potatoes if they can find them at the market. One friend arranged everything on a bed of edible sea greens she found at a specialty shop. The structure stays the same—the wave foundation, the layering, the flow—but the specific ingredients become your signature. When you cook with ingredients you actually love, people taste that intention in every bite.
The Perfect Pairing and Timing
This platter shines brightest when served alongside something cold and refreshing—a crisp Sauvignon Blanc with its own mineral, slightly vegetal notes mirrors the platter's ocean theme perfectly. If you're avoiding alcohol, sparkling water with lime slices and fresh mint creates a beautiful echo of the flavors on the board. The timing matters too; serve this early in your gathering when people are hungry for those first flavors and when everything is at peak freshness and crispness. As the evening goes on and appetites shift, this platter becomes the background harmony rather than the opening song.
- Prepare all vegetables and cheeses in the morning, storing them separately in covered containers in the refrigerator
- Assemble the platter within 2-3 hours of serving to keep chips crisp and vegetables fresh
- Keep small bowls of extra components nearby in case the platter needs gentle restocking as guests graze
Pin A beautiful platter is a love letter to the people you're feeding—it says 'I spent time thinking about you, about creating something memorable.' This ocean wave has brought so much joy to my table, and I hope it brings that same magic to yours.
Recipe Q&A
- → What cheeses work best for this platter?
Blue cheese crumbles and creamy goat cheese rounds provide a balance of tangy and smooth textures, complementing the fresh produce perfectly.
- → Can I substitute the chips and crackers?
Yes, blue corn tortilla chips and seaweed rice crackers lend unique flavors, but you may also use gluten-free or vegan crackers to suit dietary needs.
- → How do I achieve the ocean wave arrangement?
Start with chips arranged in broad, curving lines to mimic waves, then layer cheeses and crackers in parallel arcs. Fill in with vegetables and fruits to complete the flowing design.
- → What garnishes enhance the platter’s appearance?
Fresh dill sprigs, microgreens, and edible blue or purple flowers add vibrant colors and a delicate touch that complements the oceanic theme.
- → Is this platter suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, all components are vegetarian-friendly, featuring cheeses, fresh vegetables, fruits, and plant-based crackers.
- → Can this be prepared ahead of time?
It’s best assembled shortly before serving to maintain freshness and the crisp texture of the vegetables and fruits.