Spinning Top Vegetable Salad (Printable format)

Thinly shaved vegetables and herbs arranged in a circular, fresh, and crisp salad presentation.

# List of ingredients:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 medium fennel bulb
02 - 2 small rainbow carrots, assorted colors
03 - 1 small golden beet, peeled
04 - 1/2 small red onion

→ Herbs & Greens

05 - 1/2 cup fresh dill sprigs
06 - 1/2 cup fresh chervil or flat-leaf parsley leaves
07 - 1/4 cup microgreens

→ Dressing

08 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
09 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
10 - 1 teaspoon honey
11 - 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# How to make it:

01 - Using a mandoline slicer or vegetable peeler, thinly shave fennel, carrots, golden beet, and red onion into delicate, translucent ribbons.
02 - Immerse the shaved vegetables in ice water for 5 to 10 minutes to crisp and curl the edges, then drain thoroughly and pat dry.
03 - Whisk together extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a small bowl until emulsified.
04 - Layer the vegetable ribbons in a tight circular pattern on a large platter, allowing edges to overlap and extend outward to achieve a blurred, spinning visual effect.
05 - Distribute dill sprigs, chervil or parsley leaves, and microgreens over the top, concentrating extra herbs toward the outer edges for a wispy appearance.
06 - Drizzle the prepared dressing evenly over the arranged vegetables immediately before serving to maintain crispness and shape.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It looks like art but tastes effortlessly bright and fresh, no pretension required.
  • Everything comes together in 25 minutes with no cooking, so it fits perfectly into busy evenings.
  • Those crispy, curled ribbons catch the dressing in a way solid slices never could.
02 -
  • Dressing on too early softens the vegetables and collapses the whole visual effect, so restrain yourself until the last moment.
  • A sharp mandoline or peeler changes everything; a dull blade tears instead of shaves and ruins the translucent quality.
  • Don't skip the ice bath—it's what makes ordinary vegetable strips transform into those dramatic curling ribbons.
03 -
  • Pat the ribbons completely dry after the ice bath, or excess water will dilute the dressing and weigh everything down.
  • Set up your arrangement on the actual serving plate rather than trying to transfer it—these delicate ribbons won't survive the journey.
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