Modernist Bold Vegetable Stripe (Printable Page)

Minimalist presentation of layered vegetable purées with bright, bold colors and subtle textures for a striking appetizer.

# What You Need:

→ Roasted Beet Purée

01 - 2 medium beets, peeled and diced
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
04 - 1 teaspoon lemon juice

→ Carrot & Ginger Purée

05 - 3 large carrots, peeled and sliced
06 - 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
07 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter or olive oil
08 - 1/4 teaspoon sea salt

→ Avocado Cream

09 - 1 ripe avocado
10 - 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt or coconut yogurt
11 - 1 teaspoon lime juice
12 - Pinch of salt

→ Garnishes

13 - Microgreens, such as radish or arugula
14 - Edible flowers
15 - Crushed pistachios
16 - Flaky sea salt

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss diced beets with olive oil and sea salt. Spread evenly on a baking tray and roast for 30 to 35 minutes until tender.
02 - Steam or boil the peeled and sliced carrots until very soft, approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Drain and allow to cool slightly.
03 - Combine the roasted beets and lemon juice in a blender or food processor. Purée until completely smooth, adding a splash of water if necessary to achieve desired consistency.
04 - Blend the cooked carrots with grated ginger, butter or olive oil, and sea salt until smooth and creamy.
05 - In a small bowl, mash the avocado with Greek or coconut yogurt, lime juice, and a pinch of salt until silky smooth. Transfer to a piping bag or squeeze bottle for plating precision.
06 - Using a wide offset spatula or the back of a large spoon, spread a thick, 3-inch wide stripe of beet purée down the center of a clean serving board.
07 - Decorate the beet stripe by layering or piping the carrot purée and avocado cream in artistic strokes or dots along its length.
08 - Finish with microgreens, edible flowers, crushed pistachios, and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. Serve immediately, encouraging guests to scoop from the stripe.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like gallery-quality plating but tastes just as good as it looks, which is rarer than you'd think.
  • Four purées that come together in under 1.5 hours, and suddenly you're the friend who serves art.
  • Naturally vegetarian and gluten-free without feeling like a compromise, because it isn't one.
02 -
  • Overcooked vegetables blend smoother than you think is possible; undercooked ones will betray you with graininess, so err toward collapse.
  • Room temperature is the enemy of avocado cream—keep it cool until the last possible moment before plating, or oxidation will dim that green.
03 -
  • A squeeze bottle or piping bag gives you control that a spoon can't match—invest in good ones if you make this more than once.
  • Serve this with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc; the wine's acidity complements the earthy vegetables and cuts through the cream perfectly.
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