Star of David Salad (Printable)

Fresh greens, vegetables, and feta combined in a colorful star-shaped arrangement for festive meals.

# Ingredient list:

→ Greens

01 - 6 cups baby spinach leaves, washed and dried
02 - 3 cups arugula, washed and dried

→ Vegetables

03 - 2 large cucumbers, thinly sliced
04 - 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
05 - 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
06 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
07 - 1 cup shredded purple cabbage
08 - 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced (optional)

→ Cheese & Garnish

09 - 1 cup crumbled feta cheese or vegan feta alternative
10 - 1/3 cup pitted Kalamata olives, halved
11 - 2 tablespoons capers (optional)
12 - 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts

→ Dressing

13 - 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
14 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice
15 - 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
16 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
17 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
18 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
19 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

# How to Make It:

01 - Lay out a large, flat serving platter or tray as the foundation for the arrangement.
02 - Distribute baby spinach and arugula evenly to form a thin, uniform base covering the platter.
03 - Arrange cucumber slices to form two overlapping equilateral triangles, creating the Star of David, ensuring clear geometric lines.
04 - Populate the interior triangles with cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, and shredded cabbage to provide vibrant color contrasts.
05 - Enhance the edges and points of the star with crumbled feta, Kalamata olives, capers, and toasted pine nuts for texture and visual interest.
06 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
07 - Drizzle the dressing evenly over the salad immediately prior to serving or offer it on the side.
08 - Present the plated salad immediately to showcase the festive arrangement and fresh ingredients.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It's a show-stopper that's actually simple to make—just layering and arranging, no complicated cooking techniques to stress over
  • Everything can be prepped ahead, so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time with the people you're serving
  • It's naturally vegetarian and can easily become vegan, making it perfect for mixed gatherings where everyone feels included
  • Fresh, bright flavors that feel light but satisfying, with that perfect balance of crisp textures and creamy feta
02 -
  • Prep your ingredients separately and keep them slightly chilled before assembly. A warm tomato or wilted leaf will mess with the whole presentation. Everything should be cool, crisp, and ready to shine.
  • Don't slice your vegetables too far in advance. If you cut them more than two hours ahead, they'll start to lose their crispness and the colors will fade. Do your prep work within an hour of assembly.
  • The star's geometry is more forgiving than you think. Even if your triangles aren't perfectly equilateral, the overall impression of a six-pointed star is what matters. People's eyes will follow the color flow more than they'll measure angles.
03 -
  • Toast your pine nuts in a dry pan for two minutes over medium heat just before assembly. This releases their oils and transforms them from pleasant to unforgettable. Don't walk away—they go from toasted to burnt in seconds.
  • If you're worried about the geometry, use cookie cutters as guides. Place them where your triangles should be, arrange vegetables inside, then carefully lift them away. It's the professional kitchen trick that changes everything.
  • Make your dressing while everything else is prepped. Then taste it and adjust while you're standing there. Dressing fixes are easy when you're in the rhythm, awkward when you remember at the last second.
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