Snail Shell Spiral Dish (Printable Version)

Roasted vegetables arranged in a vibrant, continuous spiral with creamy goat cheese and herbs.

# List of Ingredients:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 small eggplant, thinly sliced lengthwise
02 - 1 medium zucchini, thinly sliced lengthwise
03 - 1 red bell pepper, seeded and thinly sliced
04 - 1 yellow squash, thinly sliced lengthwise
05 - 1 small carrot, peeled and thinly sliced lengthwise

→ Cheese & Dairy

06 - 3.5 oz goat cheese, softened
07 - 2 tbsp crème fraîche

→ Herbs & Seasonings

08 - 2 tbsp fresh basil leaves, finely chopped
09 - 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
10 - 2 tbsp olive oil
11 - ½ tsp sea salt
12 - ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Garnish

13 - 1 tbsp pine nuts, lightly toasted
14 - Microgreens, for garnish (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
02 - Lightly brush the vegetable slices with olive oil and season evenly with sea salt and black pepper.
03 - Arrange the vegetable slices in a single layer on the prepared tray and roast for 10 to 12 minutes until tender yet pliable, avoiding browning. Allow to cool slightly.
04 - Combine goat cheese, crème fraîche, basil, and thyme in a small bowl, mixing until smooth and evenly blended.
05 - On a large serving plate, spread a thin layer of the cheese mixture in a continuous spiral starting from the center and moving outward.
06 - Arrange the roasted vegetable slices beginning at the center, overlapping slightly, alternating colors to form a continuous spiral atop the cheese layer.
07 - Sprinkle toasted pine nuts over the spiral and add microgreens as desired. Serve at room temperature as an appetizer or light lunch.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours in the kitchen, but the actual hands-on time is barely half an hour—your secret is safe with me.
  • Every bite combines warm, tender vegetables with cool, creamy goat cheese that tastes like a whispered compliment from a French bistro.
  • It's vegetarian, naturally elegant, and honestly makes you feel like a restaurant chef plating in your own home.
02 -
  • The vegetables must cool before arranging or they'll be too soft to create clean, defined layers in your spiral—patience here is everything.
  • A mandoline makes uniform slices, but a sharp knife and a steady hand will work beautifully too; what matters is consistency so each vegetable contributes equally to the visual rhythm.
  • Don't skip toasting the pine nuts fresh—the difference between room-temperature and toasted is the difference between a nice dish and a memorable one.
03 -
  • Invest in a good mandoline or learn to use your knife with intention—uniform vegetable slices are what make this spiral sing visually and texturally.
  • Make the cheese mixture while the vegetables cool, and bring everything to room temperature before plating so flavors can develop and meld naturally.
  • Toast pine nuts in a dry pan for just 2–3 minutes, tossing often, and use them immediately—their aroma fading is a sign you've passed peak flavor.
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