Prism Burst Colorful Salad (Printable)

Bright layers of fresh veggies and fruits arranged over a creamy white base for a colorful, crisp dish.

# What You Need:

→ 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 freshly ground black pepper to taste

# Directions:

01 - Combine ricotta or Greek yogurt with olive oil, lemon zest, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Spread this mixture into a small circle at the center of a large serving platter.
02 - Separate each group of vegetables and fruits into individual small bowls for easy assembly.
03 - Starting from the central white base, fan out the red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet layers in visible stripes radiating outward, keeping each color separated using hands or a spoon.
04 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, honey or agave syrup, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until emulsified.
05 - Lightly drizzle the dressing over the entire arrangement just before serving or provide it on the side.
06 - Finish with a sprinkle of fresh herbs and black pepper if desired. Serve immediately to maintain freshness.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a conversation starter that doesn't require any cooking—just knife skills and an eye for color.
  • The prism arrangement means you get a little bit of everything in each bite, so flavors build as you eat outward.
  • It tastes even better when you've arranged it yourself, like edible art that fills you with quiet pride.
02 -
  • Slice everything as thin as you reasonably can—vegetables that are too thick make the arrangement look chunky and ruin the prism effect.
  • The moment you add dressing, the vegetables start to soften and colors begin to bleed into each other, so wait until the very last second before serving.
  • Don't stress about perfection; minor overlaps and slight variations in thickness actually make it look more hand-crafted and alive.
03 -
  • Use a mandoline or sharp knife to slice everything uniformly thin; consistency is what makes the prism read as intentional rather than random.
  • If a vegetable is watery (like cucumber or tomato), pat it dry before placing it on the platter so it doesn't weep and blur the colors together.
  • Chill your platter for 10 minutes before assembling if your kitchen is warm; this keeps everything crisp and the colors vibrant.
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