Prism Burst Vibrant Salad (Printable)

Fresh, colorful layers of vegetables and fruits arranged atop a creamy white base for a vibrant dish.

# Components:

→ Central White Base

01 - 1 cup ricotta cheese (or Greek yogurt for lighter option)
02 - 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon lemon zest
04 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Red Layer

05 - 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - 1/4 cup thinly sliced red bell pepper

→ Orange Layer

07 - 1/2 cup thinly sliced orange bell pepper
08 - 1/4 cup shredded carrots

→ Yellow Layer

09 - 1/2 cup thinly sliced yellow bell pepper
10 - 1/4 cup cooked sweet corn kernels

→ Green Layer

11 - 1/2 cup thinly sliced cucumber
12 - 1/4 cup cooked and shelled edamame
13 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (parsley, basil, or mint)

→ Blue Layer

14 - 1/3 cup blueberries
15 - 1/4 cup finely shredded purple cabbage

→ Violet Layer

16 - 1/2 cup red grapes, halved
17 - 1/4 cup thinly sliced radishes

→ Dressing

18 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
19 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
20 - 1 teaspoon honey or agave syrup
21 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Directions:

01 - Combine ricotta cheese or Greek yogurt with olive oil, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Spoon the mixture onto the center of a large serving platter and spread gently into a small circle.
02 - Place each vegetable and fruit color group into separate small bowls to facilitate easy assembly.
03 - Starting from the central white base, evenly fan out each color group in order—red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet—forming visible stripes radiating outward. Use hands or spoon to maintain separation.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk olive oil, lemon juice, honey or agave syrup, salt, and black pepper until emulsified.
05 - Lightly drizzle dressing over the assembled salad just before serving or serve alongside. Garnish with fresh herbs and an optional sprinkle of black pepper.
06 - Present the salad immediately to preserve freshness and vibrant appearance.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It stops people mid-conversation when you bring it to the table—the visual impact is real and makes you feel like you've done something special.
  • Nothing requires cooking, so you can throw it together in the time it takes to chat with whoever's coming over.
  • Each bite has its own flavor story, from sweet corn to peppery radish, so everyone finds something they love within the same dish.
02 -
  • Assemble this salad no more than an hour before serving, or the vegetables start to weep and the colors blur together into a sad, soggy rainbow.
  • A sharp knife is the secret weapon here—dull blades crush peppers and cucumbers instead of slicing them cleanly, which dulls their color and texture both.
03 -
  • Lightly oil your platter before spreading the ricotta so it doesn't stick and tear when you plate individual servings.
  • The secret to keeping colors vibrant is to cut everything at the last possible moment—oxidation dulls even the brightest vegetable within minutes.
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