Spinning Top Salad Fennel (Print Version)

A fresh salad with wispy vegetable ribbons and a zesty dressing, perfect as a light starter.

# Components:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 medium fennel bulb
02 - 2 small rainbow carrots
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 parsley leaves
07 - 1/4 cup microgreens

→ Dressing

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

# Directions:

01 - Using a mandoline or vegetable peeler, thinly shave the fennel, carrots, golden beet, and red onion into wispy, nearly translucent ribbons.
02 - Soak the shaved vegetables in ice water for 5 to 10 minutes to crisp and curl the edges. Drain thoroughly and pat dry.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until well combined.
04 - On a large platter, arrange the vegetable ribbons in a tight circular pattern, overlapping the edges to create a blurred spinning visual effect.
05 - Scatter dill, chervil or parsley, and microgreens over the arranged vegetables, concentrating additional herbs along the outer edge for a delicate, wispy appearance.
06 - Drizzle the dressing evenly over the top just before serving to preserve crispness.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like it took hours in the kitchen but comes together in just 25 minutes.
  • Every vegetable stays crisp and snappy because of that ice bath trick that changes everything.
  • You get to play with your food and actually make something beautiful people want to photograph.
02 -
  • The ice bath is non-negotiable if you want those vegetables to stay crisp and actually curl—skip it and you'll have limp ribbons instead of delicate waves.
  • Assemble this salad as close to serving time as possible because even the crispest vegetables will eventually soften once they hit the plate.
03 -
  • Use a bench scraper or offset spatula to help guide your vegetable ribbons into position without tearing them.
  • If your mandoline doesn't feel stable, place a damp towel underneath it to anchor it while you work.
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