Vibrant Prism Burst Salad (Print version)

A fresh, crisp salad showcasing a fan of vibrant colors from layered vegetables and fruits.

# 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

# How to Make:

01 - Combine ricotta cheese or Greek yogurt with olive oil, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Spread into a small circle on the center of a large serving platter.
02 - Place each group of prepared vegetables and fruits into separate bowls by color.
03 - Starting from the central white base, fan out the red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet groups in succession, creating visible rainbow stripes.
04 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, honey or agave syrup, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
05 - Drizzle the dressing evenly over the assembled layers or serve on the side just before serving.
06 - Top with fresh herbs and a final sprinkle of black pepper if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert tips:

01 -
  • It's a conversation starter—guests genuinely light up when they see it arranged on the table.
  • Zero cooking required means you can pull it together while everything else is being prepped.
  • The combination of creamy ricotta with crisp vegetables creates textures that actually keep your interest bite after bite.
02 -
  • Slice vegetables as close to serving as possible because moisture is the enemy of that beautiful, crisp presentation—a soggy salad defeats the whole visual purpose.
  • The white base needs enough salt and pepper to stand on its own; don't let it be bland just because it's surrounded by brighter flavors.
03 -
  • Use a sharp knife and a gentle hand when slicing—bruised vegetables lose color and texture instantly.
  • If you're making this ahead, keep the ricotta base covered until the last moment so it doesn't dry out or pick up flavors from the vegetables.
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