Prism Burst Fresh Salad (Printable)

Colorful vegetable and fruit layers fanned around a creamy base offer fresh, crisp, vibrant flavors and textures.

# Components:

→ Central White Base

01 - 1 cup ricotta cheese or Greek yogurt
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 black pepper to taste

# Method:

01 - Combine ricotta or Greek yogurt with olive oil, lemon zest, salt, and pepper in a small bowl; spread the mixture into a small circle at the center of a large serving platter.
02 - Place each group of prepared vegetables and fruits into separate small bowls to keep colors distinct.
03 - Starting from the white base, fan out the red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet layers in succession, forming colorful stripes radiating outward.
04 - Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, honey or agave, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl until combined.
05 - Drizzle dressing lightly over the salad or serve on the side; garnish with fresh herbs and a sprinkle of black pepper as desired before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's the kind of salad that makes people pause and actually notice what they're eating instead of rushing through.
  • No cooking required means you can pull it together in less time than it takes to order takeout.
  • Every color brings its own flavor and texture, so every bite feels different and exciting.
02 -
  • Prep all your vegetables before you start arranging—once you begin, you want momentum because the ricotta can start to look tired if you stop and go.
  • Keep everything cold until the last moment; salad components that sit out lose their crispness and their visual impact suffers along with the taste.
03 -
  • If you're transporting this to an event, assemble it at home and drizzle the dressing at the last second—it stays crisp longer that way and arrives looking exactly as you intended.
  • A sharp knife and a little patience make the difference between vegetable slices that look sloppy and ones that catch light and look elegant.
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