Snail Shell Spiral Dish (Printable Version)

An elegant spiral of roasted vegetables layered with creamy goat cheese and herbs, perfect for a light meal.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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)

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

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 salt and black pepper.
03 - Arrange the slices in a single layer on the baking tray. Roast for 10 to 12 minutes until the vegetables are pliable but not browned. Allow to cool slightly.
04 - Combine softened goat cheese, crème fraîche, chopped basil, and thyme in a bowl. Mix until smooth and homogenous.
05 - Spread a thin, even layer of the cheese mixture onto a large serving plate, forming a spiral starting from the center and working outward.
06 - Starting at the center, lay the roasted vegetable slices in a continuous spiral over the cheese, overlapping slightly and alternating colors for visual interest.
07 - Sprinkle toasted pine nuts over the vegetable spiral and garnish with microgreens if desired.
08 - Present at room temperature as an appetizer or light lunch.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours preparing it, but the whole thing comes together in under an hour with minimal fuss.
  • Every vegetable stays tender and flavorful, never mushy or overdone, because you control the roasting perfectly.
  • The creamy goat cheese and herb mixture is so good you'll find yourself making extra to spread on bread later.
  • It's naturally vegetarian and impresses everyone from your fussiest eater to your foodie friends.
02 -
  • The vegetables must be partially cooked before arranging, not raw. I learned this the hard way when I tried to use completely raw slices once—they never softened properly and the dish became chewy instead of tender.
  • Slice your vegetables lengthwise, not crosswise. This changes everything about how they look and how they wrap around your spiral. Crosswise slices break apart too easily.
  • Your goat cheese absolutely must be at room temperature before mixing. Cold goat cheese will be lumpy and won't spread smoothly, and the whole visual effect depends on that creamy, even base.
03 -
  • Use a mandoline slicer if you have one—it ensures every vegetable slice is the same thickness, which means they roast evenly and arrange more beautifully. Just watch your fingers; mandolines have no mercy.
  • Toast your pine nuts right before serving. They only take about 30 seconds in a dry pan over medium heat, and the difference between raw and toasted is like the difference between a sketch and a finished painting.
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