Abstract Expressionist Salad (Print View)

Bold fusion of fresh vegetables, fruits, seeds, and feta combined with a zesty dressing.

# Components:

→ Vegetables & Fruits

01 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes (red and yellow), halved
02 - 1 small golden beet, peeled and shaved
03 - 1 small cucumber, sliced into ribbons
04 - 1/2 cup red radishes, thinly sliced
05 - 1 cup watermelon, cut into irregular cubes
06 - 1 ripe avocado, cubed

→ Greens & Herbs

07 - 1 cup mixed baby greens (arugula, baby spinach, frisée)
08 - 2 tbsp fresh mint leaves, torn

→ Crunch & Texture

09 - 1/4 cup toasted pumpkin seeds
10 - 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds

→ Cheese

11 - 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

→ Dressing

12 - 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
13 - 1 tbsp white balsamic vinegar
14 - 1 tsp honey
15 - 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
16 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Method:

01 - Arrange cherry tomatoes, golden beet, cucumber, radishes, watermelon, and avocado separately in bowls.
02 - Scatter mixed baby greens and torn mint leaves loosely on a large platter or shallow bowl.
03 - Distribute tomatoes, beet shavings, cucumber ribbons, radish slices, watermelon cubes, and avocado artistically over the greens, allowing overlapping of colors and textures.
04 - Sprinkle toasted pumpkin seeds, pomegranate seeds, and crumbled feta cheese across the salad in an irregular pattern.
05 - Whisk together olive oil, white balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until emulsified.
06 - Drizzle the dressing generously in zigzag and splatter patterns over the salad, mimicking artistic brushstrokes.
07 - Present immediately, allowing diners to admire and mix the colorful arrangement.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a celebration that tastes as beautiful as it looks, with every bite bringing you new color and texture combinations you didn't expect
  • Takes just 20 minutes but feels impressive enough to serve at dinner parties or pack as a gift salad for someone special
  • The dressing ties everything together in a way that feels intentional despite the apparent chaos on the plate
02 -
  • Prep everything before you start assembling—this salad comes together so quickly that you won't have time once you begin, and that's the whole joy of it
  • Add the avocado just before serving, or it will oxidize and lose its vibrant green. I learned this the hard way at that art opening, and now it's my sacred rule
  • The dressing must be whisked until it emulsifies slightly; otherwise it will separate and drain to the bottom of the platter rather than coating everything evenly
03 -
  • Assemble this salad no more than 15 minutes before serving so the greens stay crisp and the avocado stays bright. Timing is everything here.
  • If you're making this for guests, arrange everything on the platter and keep the dressing separate in a small pitcher. Let people drizzle their own dressing—it keeps things fresh and gives them control over how much they want.
Return