Cubist Deconstruction Appetizer (Print Version)

A vibrant starter with uniquely cut vegetables, fruit, and feta, arranged for a striking presentation and balanced flavors.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 small cucumber, peeled
02 - 1 medium golden beet, cooked and peeled
03 - 1 medium watermelon radish, peeled
04 - 1 ripe avocado

→ Cheese

05 - 3.5 oz block feta cheese

→ Fruit

06 - 1 ripe mango, peeled

→ Garnishes & Seasoning

07 - 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
08 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
09 - Flaky sea salt, to taste
10 - Fresh cracked black pepper, to taste
11 - Microgreens or fresh herbs (e.g., basil, cilantro), for garnish

# How-To Steps:

01 - Slice all vegetables and fruits into assorted geometric shapes approximately 0.4 inch thick, using a sharp knife or small cookie cutters for precision.
02 - Cut the feta cheese into geometric cubes or prisms to complement the theme.
03 - Arrange vegetable, fruit, and cheese pieces side-by-side on a large flat platter without overlapping, forming a cubist-inspired mosaic.
04 - Drizzle extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice evenly over the assembled pieces.
05 - Sprinkle flaky sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to enhance flavor.
06 - Top with microgreens or fresh herbs and serve immediately to maintain the visual appeal.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It looks so impressive that guests think you spent hours in the kitchen, when really you spent just twenty-five minutes with a sharp knife and your imagination
  • Every bite combines different textures and flavors, so you never get bored with the same taste twice
  • It's naturally vegetarian and gluten-free, meaning almost everyone at your table can enjoy it without worry
02 -
  • Timing is everything with this dish; once you arrange it, you have maybe fifteen minutes before the avocado starts to brown and the assembled pieces begin to look tired, so do all your prep first and only arrange right before serving
  • The difference between this looking like art and looking like a mess is in the arrangement; take time to think about color placement and negative space, the same way you would look at a painting
03 -
  • If you're making this ahead, prep all your cuts and store them separately in the refrigerator, but only assemble on the platter five to ten minutes before serving to keep everything fresh and the avocado from browning
  • A really sharp knife makes all the difference between clean geometric cuts and jagged edges that look accidental rather than intentional
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