Save I'll never forget the moment I decided to create an appetizer that would capture the spirit of unity and celebration. It was during the Olympics, watching the opening ceremony with friends, when I realized the iconic interlocking rings could become more than just a symbol—they could be a delicious, edible centerpiece that brings people together around a table. That evening sparked the idea for The Olympic Rings, a platter that transforms simple, colorful ingredients into a work of edible art.
I remember arranging this platter for my sister's engagement party, and watching guests walk into the room, their faces lighting up before they'd even tasted anything. Someone said it was too beautiful to eat, and I laughed, knowing the flavors would be just as impressive as the presentation. By the end of the evening, only crumbs remained, and people were still asking how I'd managed to coordinate five different flavor profiles so perfectly.
Ingredients
- Blueberries (1 cup for blue ring): Their natural tartness and jewel-like appearance anchor the blue ring with both nutrition and visual pop. I learned to buy them a day or two before and let them come to room temperature—they're sweeter that way
- Blue corn tortilla chips (1/2 cup, broken): These add the satisfying crunch that keeps people coming back for more bites. Breaking them by hand instead of crushing them gives you better-sized pieces that don't scatter
- Blue cheese (1/2 cup crumbled): The umami powerhouse that ties the ring together. I prefer a younger, milder blue cheese for this platter so it doesn't overwhelm the delicate blueberries
- Toasted walnuts (2 tbsp): These bring earthiness and texture. Toasting them yourself for five minutes in a dry pan makes all the difference in depth of flavor
- Yellow cherry tomatoes (1 cup, halved): Sweeter than their red cousins, they're the sunshine of this platter. Halving them reveals their beautiful interior and makes them easier to pop into your mouth
- Yellow bell pepper (1/2 cup diced): Its sweetness balances beautifully with the tangy pineapple. I cut it into small, uniform pieces so it mingles naturally with other ingredients
- Pineapple chunks (1/2 cup): Fresh pineapple brings brightness and a hint of tropical joy. If using canned, drain it well so your platter doesn't become soggy
- Toasted cashews (1/4 cup): Buttery and luxurious, they elevate the yellow ring from simple to sophisticated. Toast them just before assembling so they stay crisp
- Black olives (1/2 cup sliced): Their briny, bold flavor is essential to the black ring's complexity. I prefer Kalamata olives for their deeper taste
- Black grapes (1 cup halved): Underrated for savory applications, they add sweetness to balance the salty olives. Halving them makes them the perfect bite-sized portion
- Black bean hummus (1/2 cup): A creamy anchor that holds the black ring together and adds protein. I make my own so I can control the seasonings, but quality store-bought works beautifully too
- Pumpernickel bread (1/2 cup in small rounds): Its earthy flavor is perfect with the black ring ingredients. Cut small enough to be an accent, not the main event
- Cucumber slices (1 cup for green ring): Cool, refreshing, and naturally beautiful. I slice them on a bias so they catch the light differently and look more intentional
- Green grapes (1/2 cup halved): Their subtle sweetness keeps the green ring from feeling too heavy. The color variation from blue-green to pale yellow is gorgeous on the platter
- Edamame (1/2 cup shelled and steamed): These little protein pockets add substance and a pleasant firmness. Steam them just until heated through, then chill before assembling
- Fresh basil leaves (1/4 cup): The finishing touch that makes the green ring smell as good as it looks. Tear larger leaves by hand so they stay fresher longer
- Cherry tomatoes (1 cup halved for red ring): The classic red brings warmth and familiarity to the final ring. Use the ripest ones you can find for maximum sweetness
- Red bell pepper (1/2 cup diced): Sweet and slightly fruity, it bridges the tomatoes and strawberries beautifully. I cut it small enough to be delicate
- Strawberries (1/2 cup halved): The surprise that makes people do a double-take. Their sweetness against the savory hummus is pure magic
- Roasted red pepper hummus (1/4 cup): Smoky and slightly sweet, it ties the red ring's disparate elements into a cohesive vision. A dollop in the center of each ring acts like an edible glue
Instructions
- Prepare Your Canvas:
- Find your largest, most beautiful serving platter or board. If it's round, even better—it naturally guides your hand toward the Olympic ring layout. Lightly sketch five interlocking circles with a pencil on a piece of parchment paper beneath the platter, or use your eye to visualize where each ring will live. I like to imagine the blue ring starting on the left, with yellow and green below it, and black and red on the right, just like the official Olympic symbol.
- Prep Everything First:
- This is non-negotiable. Wash and pat dry all produce. Slice tomatoes, halve grapes, toast your nuts and seeds. Have every ingredient ready in small bowls before you touch the platter. Mise en place is your friend here—it transforms the assembly from stressful to meditative.
- Build the Blue Ring:
- Start with the blue ring on the left side of your platter. Arrange the blueberries in a loose circle, leaving gaps. Fill those gaps with broken tortilla chips for crunch. Scatter blue cheese crumbles around the ring like little jewels, then finish with toasted walnuts. The beauty is in the intentional randomness—you're not painting a line, you're creating a constellation.
- Add the Yellow Ring:
- Moving to the upper right, create your yellow ring, slightly overlapping the blue. Arrange yellow cherry tomato halves with their cut side facing up so the vibrant interior shows. Intersperse diced yellow pepper, pineapple chunks, and toasted cashews. The key is variety in texture and shape—round tomatoes, small pepper dice, golden pineapple, and crunchy cashews.
- Create the Black Ring:
- This is where depth enters your platter. In the upper center-right position, build your black ring with sliced olives as your base. Add black grape halves for sweetness, dollop the black bean hummus strategically around the ring, and place small pumpernickel bread rounds like anchors. The hummus acts as a creamy element that catches the eye.
- Compose the Green Ring:
- In the lower portion of your platter, the green ring comes alive with fresh, clean elements. Layer cucumber slices in a slightly overlapping pattern, add halved green grapes for sweetness and depth, scatter your cooled edamame for substance, and finish with torn basil leaves. Basil releases its fragrance as you arrange it, filling your kitchen with hope.
- Complete the Red Ring:
- The final ring brings warmth to your composition. Arrange halved cherry tomatoes in a circle, add diced red pepper, place strawberry halves for a moment of culinary surprise, and anchor everything with small dollops of roasted red pepper hummus. Let the hummus peek through as an accent, not a coating.
- Step Back and Admire:
- Before serving, step back and look at your creation. Adjust any ingredient that seems to have lost its place. Add a few more basil leaves if a section needs color, another walnut if something needs texture. This isn't cooking anymore—it's composition.
- Serve or Hold:
- Serve immediately if you want maximum crispness, or cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to two hours. I've found that letting it chill actually allows the flavors to meld slightly, making it taste even better than when you first finished it.
Save What moved me most about this platter was watching people at the party put aside their phones and cameras after taking a few pictures, realizing that tasting it mattered more than documenting it. Food, when presented with intention and care, has this quiet way of asking us to be present. The Olympic Rings became more than an appetizer that night—it was an invitation to slow down and celebrate together.
The Art of the Platter
There's something deeply satisfying about creating food as art. A well-composed platter tells a story before anyone takes their first bite. With the Olympic Rings, you're not just arranging ingredients; you're creating a moment where guests pause, smile, and feel cared for. The visual impact actually makes the food taste better—our eyes experience flavor before our taste buds do. I've learned that symmetry matters less than intentionality. Each ring should feel like a deliberate celebration of its color, not a rigid prescription. A strawberry slightly out of place in the red ring somehow makes it more beautiful, not less.
Flavor Harmony Across the Rings
Each ring balances three crucial elements: fruit or vegetable, creamy or crunchy, and herbaceous or savory. The blue ring plays tart against funky. The yellow ring is all brightness and tropical sweetness. The black ring goes mysterious and earthy. The green ring is fresh and garden-like. The red ring surprises with strawberries in a savory setting. This variety means that as guests make their way around the platter, they're tasting five distinct flavor journeys, each one valuable, each one different. It's why this platter works for mixed groups—there's genuinely something special about every single ring.
Making It Your Own
While I've given you specific ingredients, this platter is actually infinitely adaptable. Use what's seasonal, what speaks to you, what your guests love. In winter, I've substituted pomegranate arils for some of the berries. In summer, when stone fruits are at their peak, peaches can replace some tomatoes. Want to make it nut-free? Replace walnuts and cashews with seeds—sunflower, pumpkin, whatever you love. The architecture of color matters more than the specific ingredients. Keep your rings true to their color families, balance textures within each ring, and you'll create something just as magical as the original.
- Substitute any nut with seeds and the platter becomes nut-free without losing texture or appeal
- Use gluten-free bread rounds if you're serving guests with sensitivities, and most people won't even notice the swap
- For vegan versions, skip the blue cheese and use a plant-based alternative, and the platter still shines brilliantly
Save The Olympic Rings taught me that sometimes the most memorable meals aren't the most complicated. They're the ones made with attention and care, where someone took the time to consider beauty alongside taste. Make this platter with that spirit, and it becomes something beyond food.
Recipe FAQ
- → How do I arrange the rings for the platter?
Lightly sketch five interlocking circles on your serving platter as a guide. Arrange ingredients by color in overlapping rings mimicking the Olympic symbol's layout.
- → Can I prepare this platter ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the platter and refrigerate it covered for up to 2 hours before serving to maintain freshness and presentation.
- → What are some substitutions for allergens?
Swap nuts for seeds to make it nut-free, and use plant-based cheeses and hummus for vegan preferences. Verify gluten-free crackers if needed.
- → Is this dish suitable for gluten-free diets?
Yes, if using gluten-free crackers and avoiding pumpernickel bread, this platter can accommodate gluten-free diets.
- → What are good beverage pairings?
A light white wine like Sauvignon Blanc pairs well, enhancing the fresh and savory flavors without overpowering them.