Spicy Chili Pepper Fiesta (Printable version)

Vibrant chili peppers paired with colorful dips and fresh accompaniments for a festive party platter.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chili Peppers

01 - 3 large red bell peppers
02 - 3 large yellow bell peppers
03 - 3 large orange bell peppers
04 - 4 to 6 assorted fresh chili peppers (jalapeños, Fresno, serrano; adjust for heat)

→ 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

→ 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, reserving a few halves for serving dips inside pepper boats.
02 - Cut chili peppers into thin rings or halve lengthwise. Remove seeds to reduce heat if desired.
03 - Place bell pepper strips and chili pepper slices on a large serving platter, grouping by color for visual appeal.
04 - Spoon each dip into small bowls or reserved pepper halves and position around the platter as focal points.
05 - Fill remaining spaces with tortilla chips, baby carrots, cucumber slices, and cherry tomatoes for texture and color.
06 - Sprinkle chopped cilantro and place lime wedges on the platter. Serve immediately, encouraging guests to combine peppers with dips.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a showstopper that practically assembles itself, leaving you free to enjoy your guests instead of staying glued to the kitchen.
  • The natural sweetness of bell peppers plays beautifully against spicy heat and cooling dips—everyone finds their perfect balance.
  • You can prep everything in 25 minutes, but it looks like you've been planning this party for weeks.
02 -
  • Don't slice your peppers too early—they'll start weeping liquid and lose their crispness. Aim to assemble everything within 30 minutes of serving.
  • The heat in chili peppers is concentrated in the white membrane and seeds. Tasting one first tells you exactly what you're working with, so adjust accordingly.
  • If you're using store-bought dips, remember that quality matters here because there are so few components. Splurge on one good guacamole or hummus rather than buying everything budget-friendly.
03 -
  • Slice peppers vertically, not horizontally, so you get those thick, sturdy strips that hold dips without bending or breaking under their weight.
  • Keep a small bowl of ice water nearby while assembling. If any peppers start to wilt slightly, a quick ice bath brings them back to perfect crispness in minutes.
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