Spicy Chili Pepper Fiesta (Printable)

A vibrant display of colorful chili peppers with flavorful dips and fresh accompaniments.

# Components:

→ Chili Peppers

01 - 3 large red bell peppers
02 - 3 large yellow bell peppers
03 - 3 large orange bell peppers
04 - 4-6 assorted fresh chili peppers (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 (see notes)

→ 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

# Directions:

01 - Wash and dry all peppers. Slice bell peppers vertically into thick strips for scooping, reserving some halves to serve dips inside the pepper boats.
02 - Slice assorted chili peppers into thin rings or halve them lengthwise. Remove seeds if milder heat is preferred.
03 - Arrange bell pepper strips and sliced chili peppers on a large serving platter, grouping by color—red, orange, and yellow—for an appealing presentation.
04 - Spoon each dip into small bowls or into the reserved pepper halves to create edible serving vessels, then place them around the platter as focal points.
05 - Fill empty spaces on the platter with blue corn tortilla chips, baby carrots, cucumber slices, and cherry tomatoes to create texture and vibrant color.
06 - Sprinkle chopped cilantro over the arrangement and add lime wedges for fresh brightness.
07 - Present immediately and invite guests to combine peppers and dips as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a showstopper that requires no cooking skills, just thoughtful arrangement and a sharp knife
  • Every guest finds their perfect heat level and flavor combination, making it feel personalized
  • The bright colors practically guarantee people will reach for healthy vegetables instead of processed snacks
  • You can prep everything in 25 minutes, which means less stress and more time enjoying your party
02 -
  • The secret to pepper strips that don't wilt is slicing them just before serving. If you must prep ahead, store them in ice water and drain well before arranging.
  • Always taste your dips before the guests arrive. A squeeze of lime or pinch of salt can transform a flat dip into something memorable, and you want that moment of delight to happen at your party, not in your kitchen.
  • The arrangement matters more than perfection. A platter that looks colorful and inviting will always trump one that's geometrically perfect but dull.
03 -
  • Make a small batch of the chipotle yogurt dip yourself instead of buying prepared dips. The adobo sauce from chipotles in adobo is pure magic, and you control the heat level exactly.
  • If you're serving vegan guests, swap Greek yogurt for coconut yogurt or cashew cream in the chipotle dip. It's just as creamy and honestly tastes richer.
  • Buy peppers a day or two early and keep them in the crisper drawer. This allows them to become sweeter as they sit, which sounds counterintuitive but actually improves flavor.
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