Radial Symmetry Sunburst (Print)

Elegant salad featuring thinly sliced vegetables fanned in symmetrical circles with creamy goat cheese topping.

# 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 freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

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

# Instructions:

01 - Using a sharp knife or mandoline, slice all vegetables as thinly as possible to ensure even arrangement.
02 - Place a small bowl or ramekin in the center of a large round platter to designate the focal point for arrangement.
03 - Fan the sliced vegetables outward in concentric, symmetrical circles around the central point, alternating colors and shapes, slightly overlapping for a sunburst pattern.
04 - Remove the central bowl and fill the empty space with a mixture of crumbled goat cheese and crème fraîche.
05 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper in a small bowl and drizzle evenly over the arranged vegetables.
06 - Sprinkle fresh chives, toasted sesame seeds, and edible flowers over the dish as final decorative touches.
07 - Present immediately as an elegant appetizer or salad centerpiece.

# Pro Tips:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours in the kitchen when it actually takes just 25 minutes, making you feel like a culinary artist
  • The contrast of creamy goat cheese against crisp, colorful vegetables creates a textural symphony that keeps you coming back for another bite
  • It's naturally vegetarian and gluten-free, so you can serve it confidently to anyone at your table without apologies
  • The honey-lemon dressing brings just enough brightness to let each vegetable's natural flavor shine through
02 -
  • A mandoline will change your life—but respect it, because those blades are sharp enough to take a finger off. Always use the guard, always. I learned this lesson in the most painful way possible during my second attempt at this dish.
  • Slice your vegetables RIGHT before assembling. Once exposed to air, they start to oxidize and lose their vibrant color. I made the mistake of prepping everything an hour early and watched my beautiful colors fade. Now I slice, arrange, serve—boom.
  • Room temperature everything except the vegetables, which should be cool but not ice cold from the fridge. Temperature contrast makes flavors pop.
  • The key to a sunburst that actually looks like a sunburst is consistency—make your slices as uniform as possible. This is where a mandoline truly earns its place in your kitchen.
03 -
  • Invest in a good mandoline or ask a trusted kitchen shop for their recommendation—this dish lives or dies by consistent, thin slices that you can't easily achieve with a knife
  • Chill your platter in the freezer for 10 minutes before arranging—this keeps vegetables fresher longer and makes the colors pop even more against the cold surface
  • Make your dressing while you're arranging—it takes two minutes and ensures everything comes together at the same moment, which is when this dish is truly at its best
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