Radial Symmetry Sunburst Salad (Printer-friendly)

Colorful vegetables thinly sliced and arranged in symmetrical circles with creamy goat cheese and zesty dressing.

# Required Ingredients:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 medium golden beet, peeled and thinly sliced
02 - 1 medium red beet, peeled and thinly sliced
03 - 1 small zucchini, thinly sliced
04 - 1 small yellow squash, thinly sliced
05 - 1 medium watermelon radish, thinly sliced
06 - 1 large carrot, peeled and thinly sliced

→ Cheese

07 - 3.5 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
08 - 2 tablespoons crème fraîche

→ Dressing

09 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
10 - 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
11 - 1 teaspoon honey
12 - Salt and pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

13 - 2 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped
14 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
15 - Edible flowers, optional

# How-To Steps:

01 - Using a sharp knife or mandoline, thinly slice all vegetables as uniformly as possible.
02 - Position a small bowl or ramekin in the center of a large round platter to create a focal point.
03 - Fan the sliced vegetables outward from the center in concentric, alternating color and shape patterns, overlapping slightly to form a symmetrical sunburst.
04 - Remove the central bowl and fill the space with goat cheese crumbled and mixed with crème fraîche.
05 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper in a small bowl, then drizzle evenly over the arranged vegetables.
06 - Sprinkle fresh chives, toasted sesame seeds, and edible flowers over the dish if using.
07 - Present immediately, allowing the visual impact and fresh flavors to shine as an appetizer or salad.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours in the kitchen, but it takes just 25 minutes and requires zero cooking—pure magic with a sharp knife
  • Every vegetable tells a story of color and texture, creating a dish so stunning your guests will Instagram it before eating
  • The goat cheese center melts into the warm vegetables (if you let it sit briefly), creating pockets of creamy richness that surprises you
  • It's naturally vegetarian, gluten-free, and elegant enough for impressing anyone while being completely approachable
02 -
  • A mandoline saves time and creates thinner, more uniform slices than a knife—but please use the guard. I learned this lesson with a bandaged finger and a hard-won respect for that tool's power.
  • Vegetables release water as they sit. If you're making this more than 30 minutes ahead, keep your sliced vegetables on paper towels in the coldest part of your refrigerator until the last moment before assembly.
  • The dressing should be balanced perfectly before it touches the platter. Taste it as you mix. Too much lemon will overpower; too little and it tastes flat. Trust your palate here.
03 -
  • Invest in a good mandoline or a very sharp knife. The difference between beautiful thin slices and ragged vegetable shards is the single most important factor in making this recipe shine.
  • Let the goat cheese and crème fraîche come to room temperature before mixing—cold goat cheese is impossible to work with, but room temperature cheese softens into a dreamy, spreadable consistency without any extra effort.
  • Taste your dressing on a raw vegetable before drizzling it on the whole arrangement. This is your only chance to adjust it before it's on the platter. Lemon juice and salt are your adjustment tools.
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