Radial Symmetry Sunburst Salad (Printable)

Thinly sliced vegetables and creamy cheese arranged in concentric, colorful symmetry for an elegant starter.

# What You'll 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)

# Directions:

01 - Thinly slice all vegetables using a sharp knife or mandoline to achieve uniformity.
02 - Place a small bowl or ramekin at the center of a large round platter to serve as the focal point.
03 - Fan the sliced vegetables outward from the central point in concentric, symmetrical circles, overlapping slices slightly to create a sunburst pattern.
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 until emulsified.
06 - Drizzle the dressing evenly over the arranged vegetables to enhance flavor.
07 - Sprinkle fresh chives, toasted sesame seeds, and edible flowers over the top. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like a work of art but requires no baking or cooking skills, just patience and a sharp knife
  • Every ingredient tastes vibrant and fresh because nothing gets wilted or overdone
  • It's naturally vegetarian and gluten-free, so you can serve it to almost anyone without stress
  • Guests always assume you spent hours when it really took about 25 minutes of focused, meditative slicing
02 -
  • Slice everything just before assembly—vegetables oxidize quickly, and your golden beets will turn muddy if they sit exposed to air. If you must prep ahead, keep slices in water and pat dry right before arranging
  • The mandoline is your best friend here, but respect its blade. Invest in a proper cut-resistant glove and use the hand guard. I learned this lesson the hard way
  • The dressing should be tasted and adjusted before it touches the vegetables. A badly balanced dressing will ruin the whole thing, but a well-seasoned one makes every element sing
03 -
  • If you're serving a crowd, arrange your sunburst on a platter that can be transferred directly to the table—moving it after assembly risks ruining the careful geometry
  • Keep all vegetables and the goat cheese mixture cool until the moment of assembly. Everything tastes fresher and holds its shape better when cold
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