Blooming Tulip Veggie Cups

A vibrant and fresh spring appetizer featuring crisp vegetables arranged as edible tulip blooms, filled with a creamy herb cheese. Perfect for festive gatherings or light starters.

This recipe brightened up our holiday table and impressed everyone with its unique look and delicious flavors.

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

Step 1:

Wash all vegetables thoroughly.

Step 2:

Cut each bell pepper in half lengthwise, keeping the stem intact to resemble tulip petals. Remove seeds and membranes carefully.

Step 3:

Trim the green onions to about 12 cm (5 in) and gently slice the white ends lengthwise halfway up, creating a stem effect.

Step 4:

Cut cucumber into thin sticks, about 8 cm (3 in) long.

Step 5:

In a bowl, mix cream cheese, sour cream, chives, dill, parsley, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined.

Step 6:

Spoon or pipe the cheese mixture into the hollowed bell pepper halves.

Step 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.

Step 8:

Arrange on a platter, garnish with extra chives or microgreens, and serve immediately.

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My kids loved assembling their own tulip cups which made family dinner much more fun and interactive.

Nutritional Information

Each serving provides approximately 110 calories, 7 g total fat, 7 g carbohydrates, and 3 g protein.

Allergen Information

Contains dairy from cream cheese and sour cream. Gluten-free but always check labels for cross-contamination.

Required Tools

Sharp knife, mixing bowl, spoon or piping bag, cutting board

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This appetizer is sure to impress guests and brighten up any occasion with minimal effort.

Recipe FAQs

→ What vegetables are used for the tulip cups?

Large red or yellow bell peppers form the tulip petals, complemented by green onions, cucumber sticks, and cherry tomatoes for filling and garnish.

→ How is the tulip shape created with the bell peppers?

Bell peppers are halved lengthwise with stems left intact to resemble petals, and seeds are carefully removed to hollow out the cups.

→ What herbs are included in the creamy filling?

The filling blends fresh chives, dill, and parsley combined with cream cheese and sour cream, seasoned with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

→ Can this dish accommodate dietary restrictions?

Yes, it is vegetarian and gluten-free; for a vegan option, substitute dairy with plant-based cream cheese and sour cream.

→ What is the best way to serve and garnish these cups?

Arrange on a platter and garnish with extra chives or microgreens to enhance the fresh and festive presentation.

→ Is any cooking required for this preparation?

No cooking is involved; all ingredients are prepared fresh and assembled for immediate serving.