Spinning Top Wispy Salad (Printable)

Delicate vegetable ribbons with fresh herbs and zesty dressing create a light, vibrant dish.

# What You Need:

→ 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

# How-To Steps:

01 - Using a mandoline or vegetable peeler, thinly shave the fennel, carrots, golden beet, and red onion into wispy, translucent ribbons.
02 - Soak the shaved vegetables in ice water for 5 to 10 minutes to crisp and curl the edges; then drain and pat dry.
03 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until combined.
04 - Arrange the vegetable ribbons in a tight circular pattern on a large platter, overlapping and extending the edges for a blurred effect.
05 - Scatter dill, chervil or parsley, and microgreens over the top, concentrating extra herbs toward the outer edges to enhance the wispy look.
06 - Drizzle the dressing evenly over the salad just before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It's a secret weapon for impressing guests without any real cooking involved.
  • The mandoline becomes meditative once you stop being terrified of it.
  • Everyone always asks for the recipe, then realizes they've already got everything at home.
02 -
  • Pat the vegetables completely dry after soaking, or the dressing will slide off and the spinning effect falls apart.
  • The entire plate needs to be assembled no more than 15 minutes before serving, or the magic fades and it just looks like salad.
03 -
  • A damp towel under your mandoline stops it from sliding around and lets you focus on the blade, not the balance.
  • The thinner your vegetables, the more dramatic the spinning effect, so practice shaving and watch how the light plays differently.
Go Back