Golden Ratio Salad (Printable Version)

A bright, layered salad featuring mixed greens, avocado, cherry tomatoes, nuts, and a tangy dressing.

# What You'll Need:

→ Greens

01 - 4 cups mixed baby greens (arugula, spinach, watercress)

→ Vegetables & Fruits

02 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 1 ripe avocado, sliced
04 - 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
05 - 1 small cucumber, thinly sliced
06 - ½ cup pomegranate seeds

→ Cheese & Nuts

07 - ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
08 - ¼ cup toasted pine nuts

→ Dressing

09 - 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
10 - 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
11 - 1 tsp honey
12 - ½ tsp Dijon mustard
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - Spread the mixed baby greens on a large platter in a subtle spiral or sweeping curve inspired by the Golden Ratio.
02 - Set cherry tomatoes, avocado slices, yellow bell pepper, cucumber, and pomegranate seeds along the spiral, starting with larger elements about 61.8% along the platters' main axis and tapering outward.
03 - Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese and toasted pine nuts over the salad, concentrating slightly near the focal point for enhanced visual impact.
04 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until emulsified.
05 - Drizzle the dressing evenly over the arranged salad just before serving to maintain crispness and presentation.
06 - Present the salad promptly, preserving the artistic arrangement for a dramatic effect.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours plating when it's honestly just 20 minutes of thoughtful arranging.
  • The combination of textures—creamy avocado, crisp cucumber, jewel-like pomegranate—makes every bite feel intentional.
  • You can eat it with your eyes first, which is half the pleasure.
02 -
  • Slice everything *just* before assembly; vegetables oxidize and wilt faster than you'd think, especially avocado.
  • The dressing is best emulsified with a whisk, not shaken in a jar—you'll get a silkier result that actually clings to each ingredient.
03 -
  • Use a large platter rather than individual plates—the spiral reads better on scale, and it becomes a centerpiece worth admiring.
  • Taste your dressing before drizzling; acid and mustard levels vary, so adjust the lemon and honey to your preference.
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