Radial Symmetry Sunburst Salad (Printable)

Vibrant vegetables and creamy goat cheese arranged in a striking sunburst pattern with a flavorful dressing.

# Components:

→ 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 - Using a sharp knife or mandoline, slice all vegetables as thinly as possible.
02 - Place a small bowl or ramekin in the center of a large round platter to define the focal point.
03 - Fan the sliced vegetables outward from the central point in alternating colors and shapes, creating concentric, symmetrical circles with slight overlap to form a sunburst effect.
04 - Remove the central bowl and fill the space with crumbled goat cheese combined 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 if desired, then serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a show-stopper that takes just 25 minutes, so you look like a culinary genius without the stress
  • The vegetables stay crisp and fresh, with a bright lemony dressing that ties everything together beautifully
  • It's naturally vegetarian and gluten-free, so it works for almost any table of guests
  • The creamy goat cheese center is like a secret treasure waiting in the middle of all that color
02 -
  • Mandolines are dangerous—they work brilliantly for thin slices but demand respect. Use the guard, or better yet, invest in a good one with safety features. I learned this the hard way with my left index finger.
  • Wet vegetables slip everywhere. Pat everything dry before arranging, and if your platter seems wet, wipe it down. Dry vegetables hold their arrangement; wet ones migrate like they're looking for the exit.
  • The color from red beets wants to bleed into everything. Slice them last and handle them carefully, or embrace the slight ombré effect—it's actually quite lovely if you're not expecting perfection.
03 -
  • Keep your platter cold before assembling by refrigerating it for 15 minutes. Cold surfaces help vegetables stay crisp longer and prevent the goat cheese from getting too soft.
  • If you want your colors to really pop, arrange the vegetables the moment before serving rather than letting them sit. The dressing can wait, but the vegetables shouldn't.
Return