Shadow Play Beets Arugula (Printable)

Artful layering of beets, arugula, black accents, and dressing creates a visually stunning appetizer.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 medium golden beet, peeled and thinly sliced
02 - 1 medium red beet, peeled and thinly sliced
03 - 1 cup baby arugula
04 - ½ cup watermelon radish, thinly sliced

→ Dark Accents

05 - ½ cup blackberries
06 - ¼ cup black olives, pitted and halved
07 - 2 tablespoons black tahini (or regular tahini with squid ink for color)

→ Dressing

08 - 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
09 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
10 - 1 teaspoon honey
11 - Salt and pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

12 - Microgreens (such as purple radish or basil)
13 - Edible flowers (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Thinly slice the golden and red beets using a mandoline slicer or a sharp knife.
02 - On a large platter, layer the golden and red beet slices in a semi-overlapping pattern, alternating colors.
03 - Fan the watermelon radish slices over the beets, then scatter baby arugula evenly on top.
04 - Distribute blackberries and black olives behind or underneath the bright ingredients to form silhouette contrasts.
05 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
06 - Drizzle the dressing evenly over the layered vegetables.
07 - Spoon dollops of black tahini around the plate and smear gently using the back of a spoon to create artistic shadows.
08 - Top with microgreens and edible flowers for additional color and depth.
09 - Present immediately as a sophisticated starter or light salad.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like restaurant-quality plating but comes together in 30 minutes with just a sharp knife and your hands.
  • Every ingredient serves double duty—nourishing you while creating dramatic visual layers that feel almost sculptural.
02 -
  • Beets release their color when they sit, so assemble this dish no more than 15 minutes before serving, or the bright vegetables will start looking bruised.
  • The tahini should be thick enough to hold its shape when smeared—if it's too runny, the artistic effect dissolves.
03 -
  • Cold beets straight from the refrigerator will keep the whole dish crisp and prevent the tahini from softening too quickly on the plate.
  • If your black tahini seems too thick, thin it with a tiny drizzle of olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice to create a smearable consistency without losing its intensity.
Return