Radial Symmetry Sunburst Salad (Printable view)

Vibrant sliced vegetables with goat cheese, fanned in perfect symmetry for an elegant, fresh salad centerpiece.

# What You Need:

→ 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 oz goat cheese, crumbled
08 - 2 tbsp crème fraîche

→ Dressing

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

→ Garnish

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

# How To Make:

01 - Thinly slice all vegetables using a sharp knife or mandoline for uniformity.
02 - Place a small bowl or ramekin at the center of a large round platter to serve as a focal guide.
03 - Fan the sliced vegetables outward from the center in alternating colors and shapes, overlapping slices slightly to create a concentric sunburst pattern.
04 - Remove the central bowl and fill the space with crumbled goat cheese combined with crème fraîche.
05 - Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper together and drizzle evenly over the arranged vegetables.
06 - Sprinkle fresh chives, toasted sesame seeds, and edible flowers over the presentation if desired.
07 - Present immediately as an elegant appetizer or salad centerpiece.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours in the kitchen, but you'll actually have it ready in just 25 minutes—your guests don't need to know your secret
  • Every vegetable stays crisp and fresh because there's no cooking involved, just pure, vibrant flavor and color
  • It's naturally vegetarian and gluten-free, so everyone at your table can enjoy it without worry
  • The creamy center of goat cheese and crème fraîche balances the bright acidity of the lemon dressing perfectly
02 -
  • Dry your vegetables thoroughly before arranging; any excess moisture will make them slip and slide, and your careful symmetry will become chaos
  • The mandoline is your best friend here, but please use the guard—I learned this lesson the hard way, and my kitchen didn't recover for weeks
  • Assemble this as close to serving time as possible; the vegetables will begin to release water if they sit too long, and your beautiful sunburst will look deflated
  • Don't dress the entire platter until you're ready to serve, or the vegetables closest to the center will get soggy while you're waiting for guests
03 -
  • If your vegetables are starting to curl or wilt after slicing, a quick ice bath will perk them right back up and make them easier to arrange
  • The secret to a restaurant-quality presentation is patience and symmetry—take your time with the arrangement, step back often, and don't rush the process
  • Make the dressing just before serving so the honey doesn't crystalize and the flavors stay bright and balanced
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