Tundra Trek Crisp Vegetables (Print Version)

A delicate blend of crisp vegetables and light accents evoke a windswept arctic landscape.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 small daikon radish, peeled and thinly sliced
02 - 1 small kohlrabi, peeled and thinly sliced
03 - 1 Belgian endive, leaves separated
04 - ½ cup cauliflower florets, very finely chopped

→ Garnish & Accents

05 - ¼ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
06 - 2 tablespoons white sesame seeds, lightly toasted
07 - 1 tablespoon black sesame seeds
08 - ¼ cup microgreens (pea shoots or radish sprouts)
09 - Flaky sea salt, to taste

→ Dressing

10 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
11 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
12 - ½ teaspoon white pepper
13 - 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar

# How to Make It:

01 - Place a large, clean stone or marble serving platter in the freezer for 15 minutes prior to assembly.
02 - Whisk together extra-virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, white wine vinegar, and white pepper in a small bowl until combined.
03 - Sparsely arrange thinly sliced daikon, kohlrabi, and separated Belgian endive leaves across the chilled stone platter to evoke a scattered tundra landscape.
04 - Sprinkle the finely chopped cauliflower florets, coconut flakes, white sesame seeds, and black sesame seeds over the vegetables in a random, windswept pattern.
05 - Lightly drizzle the prepared dressing evenly over the vegetable and garnish arrangement.
06 - Top with microgreens and a pinch of flaky sea salt just before serving. Serve immediately to maintain crisp, chilled textures.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It feels like you're eating a work of art, and honestly, that makes everything taste better.
  • The cold textures and subtle flavors wake up your palate in unexpected ways, especially between courses or before something richer.
  • No cooking required—just knife skills and a little patience, making it perfect when you want to impress without heating up the kitchen.
02 -
  • If your platter isn't truly cold, the vegetables will wilt and the whole composition loses its magic—don't skip the freezer step, even if it feels unnecessary.
  • The amount of dressing matters tremendously; too much and you'll have a soggy salad instead of a textured, artful plate, so err on the side of restraint.
  • Assemble this dish no more than 10 minutes before serving, as even the hardiest vegetables will eventually surrender to time and warmth.
03 -
  • A mandoline will save you time and create more uniform slices, but a sharp knife and a steady hand produce a more organic, beautiful result that feels intentional rather than mechanical.
  • Toast your white sesame seeds just until fragrant—about 2 minutes in a dry pan—because the toasting transforms them from bland to nutty and entirely changes how they register on the palate.
  • If you don't have a real stone or marble platter, a ceramic plate chilled in the freezer works just as well, and honestly, the cold matters far more than the material.
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