Pin It I'll never forget the moment my sister challenged me to create something as iconic and beautiful as the Olympic rings themselves—at least on a platter. She was hosting a viewing party, and I wanted to make her guests feel the electricity of the games before they'd even sat down. That evening, I realized that food could tell a story, could celebrate unity and joy, just like those five interlocking circles. The Olympic Rings Interlock was born from wanting to turn an ordinary appetizer into a conversation starter, a moment of pure visual delight that tasted even better than it looked.
The first time I arranged those rings, I was nervous—would they hold their shape? Would the colors pop enough? But as I placed each ingredient and stepped back to see the full Olympic symbol emerge on my platter, I felt this little rush of accomplishment. My niece, who's normally glued to screens, came running when she saw it. She pointed and said, 'That's the real Olympics right there,' and suddenly I understood: this wasn't just about food anymore. It was about creating a memory.
Ingredients
- Blueberries: Choose plump, unblemished ones for that jewel-like appearance—they're the crown jewels of your blue ring, and their natural tartness balances beautifully with the salty blue cheese
- Blue corn tortilla chips: The texture contrast here is everything; they stay crispy longer than regular chips and add an earthy depth you won't expect
- Blue cheese: Use a good quality crumble if you can—it's pungent and creamy, the anchor flavor that makes people say 'wow' when they taste it
- Toasted walnuts: Toast them yourself if possible; that warm, buttery aroma changes everything about how the blue ring tastes
- Yellow cherry tomatoes: Look for the smaller ones—they're sweeter and more visually proportional to your rings
- Yellow bell pepper: Cut it into small, uniform pieces so it integrates seamlessly with the other yellow elements
- Pineapple chunks: Fresh is better than canned for this showstopper; the juiciness adds moisture and brightness
- Toasted cashews: Slightly sweet and buttery, they tie together the tropical notes in the yellow ring
- Black olives: Kalamata olives add sophistication if you can find them; slice them fresh rather than using pre-sliced when possible
- Black grapes: They're underrated as appetizer ingredients, but their subtle sweetness and firm texture make them essential here
- Black bean hummus: This is your creamy anchor for the black ring—it brings earthiness and helps hold the circle together visually
- Pumpernickel bread: Cut into small rounds or points; it's hearty enough to hold up under the weight of toppings
- Cucumber slices: Slice them on the bias for elegance; pat them dry so they don't weep moisture onto neighboring ingredients
- Green grapes: Pick the firmest ones you can find—they should hold their shape and provide that satisfying crunch
- Edamame: Steam them fresh if you have time, but frozen works beautifully; they add protein and a vibrant pop
- Fresh basil leaves: Tear them gently right before arranging—their aromatics are volatile and fade quickly
- Cherry tomatoes: These are your red ring's foundation; choose ones at peak ripeness for maximum flavor
- Red bell pepper: Dice it small and even; the sweetness of raw red pepper is a delicate brightness against the other bold flavors
- Strawberries: Slice them fresh and arrange them just before serving so they don't release too much liquid
- Roasted red pepper hummus: It's sweeter and milder than other hummus varieties—the perfect bridge between the fresh berries and peppers
Instructions
- Set your stage:
- Place your large serving platter in front of you—this is your canvas. If you're nervous about placement, use a pencil and parchment paper underneath to lightly sketch five interlocking circles, referencing the official Olympic ring layout: blue and black on top, red between them slightly lower, then yellow and green on the bottom. The circles should overlap just slightly where they touch—this is what gives the design its magic. You'll erase the pencil marks once you're happy with the arrangement, or keep the parchment as a guide underneath if your platter allows.
- Build the blue ring first:
- Start with your anchor—the crumbled blue cheese scattered in a circular pattern. This gives texture and helps other ingredients nestle naturally. Distribute the blueberries evenly around the circle, then add the broken tortilla chip pieces, tucking them in between the berries and cheese. Finish with a few toasted walnut pieces, letting them peek through. Step back and look at it—does it feel balanced? The visual weight should feel even all the way around.
- Create the yellow celebration:
- Now your yellow ring, slightly overlapping the blue as it goes. Scatter the diced yellow bell pepper as your base layer—it acts like a glue, holding the more delicate pineapple chunks in place. Arrange the pineapple around the ring, and sprinkle the toasted cashews on top for that final glint of warmth and texture. Yellow should feel summery and bright, almost like captured sunshine on your platter.
- Lay down the black ring:
- This one's about contrast and sophistication. Spoon small dollops of black bean hummus around the circle—these become little anchors for the other ingredients. Layer in the sliced black olives first, then scatter the black grape halves, and finish with small rounds of pumpernickel bread positioned at intervals. The creamy hummus should show through slightly, creating visual rhythm.
- Arrange the green ring:
- The most refreshing of the bunch. Pat your cucumber slices dry with a paper towel—this prevents them from making everything soggy. Arrange them in overlapping layers around the circle, then tuck in the green grape halves between them. Add your steamed edamame, and just before serving, scatter the torn basil leaves across the top. The freshness of green should make people think of gardens and vitality.
- Complete the red ring:
- Save this for last because strawberries release juice quickly. Begin with small dollops of roasted red pepper hummus as anchors. Arrange the halved cherry tomatoes and sliced strawberries in alternating patterns, creating visual rhythm. The red pepper dice fills in gaps and adds sweetness. This ring should feel celebratory—it's the finale.
- Step back and admire:
- Walk away from your platter and look at it from above and from the side. Do the Olympic rings read clearly? Are there any gaps that make the colors feel disconnected? Make small adjustments—move a walnut here, add a basil leaf there. This is your moment to perfect it.
- Serve with intention:
- Serve immediately so everything is at peak texture and temperature, or cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2 hours. If refrigerating, let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before uncovering to allow the fresh flavors to wake up. When you bring it to the table, watch people's faces. That moment of delight is what this recipe is really about.
Pin It I'll never forget my grandmother watching me arrange these rings for the first time. She'd never been interested in cooking, but something about the visual poetry of it made her pull up a chair and sit with me the whole way through. 'This is art,' she said quietly. We served it that night, and after everyone ate, people sat at that table for hours, talking and laughing. The platter was empty, but the feeling it created lasted the whole evening.
Making It Your Own
The beauty of this recipe is that it's a framework, not a prison. Once you understand the principle—that each ring celebrates a color and a flavor story—you can improvise. Don't have blueberries? Use blackberries or purple grapes. The goal is to build with what your market has that day, always keeping the color clear and the flavors complementary within each ring. I once made it with roasted purple cabbage and purple cauliflower in the blue ring when fresh blueberries weren't available, and honestly, it might have been better.
Pairings and Serving Suggestions
Serve this as the opening statement of your gathering, before your guests sit down. Pair it with something crisp—a Sauvignon Blanc, a dry Riesling, or even sparkling water with fresh lemon if you're keeping things alcohol-free. The bright acidity cuts through the richness of the cheese and hummus and refreshes the palate between bites. I like to have good gluten-free crackers on the side for those who want to build a little something extra, and a couple of small serving utensils so guests can help themselves without destroying your careful arrangement.
- Set out small napkins and plates nearby so people can eat while standing and mingling
- Arrange small forks or cocktail picks around the platter so guests can spear ingredients without using their fingers
- Keep the platter at least 30 minutes before your guests arrive so everything reaches the same temperature
Allergies and Dietary Adaptations
Whenever I'm making this for a gathering, I text people ahead. Blue cheese and walnuts and cashews mean this platter needs warning labels for some folks. But here's the beautiful thing—nearly every element is swappable. No nuts? Use seeds—sunflower seeds bring the same texture as walnuts, pumpkin seeds work instead of cashews. No dairy? Nutritional yeast creates a similar umami punch to blue cheese. Vegan completely? Both the black bean and roasted red pepper hummuses are naturally plant-based already. Gluten-free? Skip the pumpernickel bread or find a gluten-free version, or replace it with more vegetables like roasted beet cubes for additional color and substance.
Pin It This platter taught me that sometimes the most meaningful meals aren't complicated—they're just made with intention and love. It's become the thing I make when I want to say 'thank you' or 'let's celebrate together' without words.
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I create the interlocking circles layout?
Lightly sketch five overlapping circles on parchment paper as a guide, then arrange each color-themed ingredient within the circles to mimic the Olympic ring pattern.
- → Can I make the platter vegan and gluten-free?
Yes, substitute plant-based cheese and hummus, and choose gluten-free crackers or omit bread rounds to suit dietary needs.
- → What nuts can I substitute for allergies?
Use seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds instead of walnuts and cashews to accommodate nut allergies.
- → How far in advance can this platter be prepared?
Arrange the platter and refrigerate covered for up to 2 hours before serving to maintain freshness and appearance.
- → What beverage pairs well with this platter?
A crisp white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc, complements the fresh and savory flavors of the platter.