Snail Shell Spiral Dish (Printable Version)

Roasted vegetables and creamy goat cheese arranged in a vibrant spiral for a flavorful starter.

# Components:

→ 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)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
02 - Lightly brush vegetable slices with olive oil and season evenly with sea salt and black pepper.
03 - Arrange the slices in a single layer on the prepared baking tray. Roast for 10 to 12 minutes until pliable but not browned. Allow to cool slightly.
04 - Combine goat cheese, crème fraîche, basil, and thyme in a small bowl. Stir until smooth and well blended.
05 - On a large serving plate, thinly spread the cheese mixture in a continuous spiral from the center outward.
06 - Starting at the center, layer roasted vegetable slices in a slightly overlapping continuous spiral over the cheese, alternating colors for visual appeal.
07 - Sprinkle toasted pine nuts evenly over the spiral and garnish with microgreens if desired.
08 - Present at room temperature as an appetizer or light lunch.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It looks so impressive that guests always ask for the recipe, but the secret is it's actually quite forgiving once you get the hang of the spiral.
  • The roasted vegetables become meltingly tender while keeping their vibrant colors, creating this beautiful contrast with the creamy, herb-forward cheese at the center.
  • It's vegetarian, naturally elegant, and comes together in just under an hour—perfect for when you want to feel accomplished without spending your whole day in the kitchen.
02 -
  • Don't skip the slight cooling step after roasting—warm vegetables are floppy and hard to arrange. Cool enough to handle means they have just enough firmness to layer without tearing.
  • The spiral should be visible as a design when you're done, not buried. If you use too much cheese, your careful vegetable arrangement becomes invisible. Thin and deliberate is the way to go.
  • Room temperature is not negotiable if you want all the flavors to sing. Cold goat cheese tastes muted, and hot vegetables lose their delicate character.
03 -
  • Invest in a good mandoline or spend the time with a sharp chef's knife to get your vegetable slices as uniform as possible—they'll cook more evenly and arrange more gracefully.
  • Toast your own pine nuts in a dry skillet for two minutes if you can; they go from good to extraordinary with just that small amount of heat and care.
  • If you're nervous about the spiral, lightly score your plate with a toothpick in the spiral pattern first—it's like having training wheels for your presentation.
Return