Save to Pinterest Brighten up your table with Blooming Tulip Veggie Cups, a vibrant and fresh spring appetizer that combines crisp, colorful vegetables arranged like edible tulip blooms with a luscious creamy herb cheese filling. This visually stunning and delicious dish is perfect for festive gatherings or as a light starter, offering a delightful balance of textures and flavors that will impress your guests and tantalize your taste buds.
Save to Pinterest This appetizer not only pleases the eyes but delights the palate with its fresh bell pepper petals and a creamy, herb-infused cheese filling. The green onion stems and crunchy cucumber sticks add an extra pop of color and texture, making these tulip cups as fun to make as they are to eat.
Ingredients
- Vegetables
- 8 large red or yellow bell peppers
- 8 long green onions (with stalks)
- 1 small cucumber
- 8 cherry tomatoes
- Filling
- 200 g (7 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp sour cream
- 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh chives
- 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh dill
- 1 tbsp finely chopped parsley
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Garnish
- Extra chives or microgreens
Instructions
- 1. Wash all vegetables thoroughly.
- 2. Cut each bell pepper in half lengthwise, keeping the stem intact to resemble tulip petals. Remove seeds and membranes carefully.
- 3. Trim the green onions to about 12 cm (5 in) and gently slice the white ends lengthwise halfway up, creating a stem effect.
- 4. Cut cucumber into thin sticks, about 8 cm (3 in) long.
- 5. In a bowl, mix cream cheese, sour cream, chives, dill, parsley, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined.
- 6. Spoon or pipe the cheese mixture into the hollowed bell pepper halves.
- 7. Insert a green onion stem into each filled pepper cup. Tuck a cucumber stick and a cherry tomato into the cheese filling for extra color and texture.
- 8. Arrange on a platter, garnish with extra chives or microgreens, and serve immediately.
Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung
Use a sharp knife to carefully cut the peppers and onions to maintain the tulip shape and stem appearance. Mixing the filling until perfectly smooth ensures it holds well inside the pepper cups. For a professional touch, use a piping bag to fill each cup cleanly and evenly.
Varianten und Anpassungen
Try replacing cream cheese and sour cream with plant-based alternatives to make this recipe vegan. Add finely diced radish or shredded carrot to the filling for an added crunch and color variation.
Serviervorschläge
Serve these tulip cups chilled as an elegant appetizer at parties or as a fresh snack alongside a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or sparkling water with lemon for a refreshing complement.
Save to Pinterest With a balance of freshness, color, and flavor, Blooming Tulip Veggie Cups are sure to be a hit at any table. Easy to prepare and pleasing to the senses, they elevate your appetizer game while fitting perfectly into vegetarian and gluten-free diets.
Common Recipe Questions
- → How do I shape the bell peppers like tulips?
Cut the bell peppers in half lengthwise, keeping the stem intact to resemble petals. Remove seeds and membranes carefully for a clean cup.
- → Can I prepare the filling in advance?
Yes, the creamy herb cheese mixture can be made ahead and stored refrigerated for a few hours before filling the cups.
- → What alternatives can be used for the cheese filling?
Plant-based cream cheese and sour cream can substitute for a vegan option, maintaining the creamy texture and flavor.
- → How should the veggie cups be served?
Arrange the filled pepper cups on a platter, garnish with extra chives or microgreens, and serve immediately for best freshness.
- → What drinks pair well with these veggie cups?
Light beverages like chilled Sauvignon Blanc or sparkling water with lemon complement the fresh, crisp flavors nicely.