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Cozy Monster Mash Veggie Tray with Easy Ranch Dip

cozy monster mash veggie tray - featured image
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A cozy, imperfectly piled veggie tray with a creamy, herby ranch dip made from cottage cheese. Perfect for snacking, parties, or a comforting night in.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 medium carrots, peeled and cut into chunky sticks
  • 4 celery stalks, cut into 3-inch pieces
  • 1 large cucumber, sliced into rounds or half-moons
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 bell peppers (one red, one yellow), sliced into strips
  • 1 cup broccoli florets, blanched for 1 minute (optional)
  • 1 cup cauliflower florets, blanched for 1 minute (optional)
  • ½ cup radishes, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup cottage cheese (full-fat recommended)
  • 2 tablespoons buttermilk powder
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1–2 tablespoons water, to thin the dip

Instructions

  1. Make the ranch dip first. Add the cottage cheese, buttermilk powder, fresh dill, fresh chives, garlic powder, onion powder, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to your blender. Blend on high for about 30 seconds, scraping down the sides once. If too thick, add water one tablespoon at a time until smooth and pourable. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  2. Transfer the dip to a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate while you prep the veggies to let the flavors meld.
  3. Prep the carrots and celery. Peel the carrots, then cut into chunky sticks about 3 inches long and ½ inch thick. For celery, trim ends and cut into similar-sized pieces.
  4. Slice the cucumber and bell peppers. Cut cucumber into thick rounds (about ½ inch), then halve if large. For bell peppers, remove seeds and membranes, then slice into strips about 1 inch wide.
  5. Halve the cherry tomatoes.
  6. Blanch the broccoli and cauliflower (optional but recommended). Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Add florets and cook for exactly 1 minute. Drain and immediately rinse with cold water. Pat dry.
  7. Arrange the monster mash tray. Place the bowl of ranch dip in the center of a large platter. Pile the veggies around it in little mounds, creating clusters of each vegetable. Tuck radish slices in between.
  8. Garnish and serve. Sprinkle extra chives over the dip and around the tray. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 hours before serving. The dip can be made up to 3 days in advance.

Notes

For best flavor, make the dip at least 2 hours ahead. Room temperature veggies enhance the dip’s taste. Double the dip recipe if serving a crowd. The dip can also be used as a sandwich spread or on baked potatoes.

Nutrition

Keywords: veggie tray, ranch dip, cottage cheese dip, monster mash, healthy snack, party appetizer, gluten-free, vegetarian

Find it online: https://sparklespoon.com/cozy-monster-mash-veggie-tray-with-easy-ranch-dip/