Concentric Rings of Flavor (Print Version)

Distinct concentric layers combining sweet, savory, and spicy elements for a colorful centerpiece.

# What You'll Need:

→ Sweet Ring

01 - 1 cup fresh pineapple, diced
02 - 1 cup seedless watermelon, diced
03 - 1 tablespoon honey
04 - 1 teaspoon lime zest

→ Savory Ring

05 - 1 cup cucumber, thinly sliced
06 - 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
07 - 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
08 - 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
09 - 1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped
10 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Spicy Ring

11 - 1 cup cooked chickpeas, drained and patted dry
12 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
14 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
15 - 1 small red chili, thinly sliced (optional)
16 - 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped
17 - Juice of 1/2 lemon

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chickpeas, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and a pinch of salt. Sauté for 5 to 7 minutes until crispy. Remove from heat and allow to cool, then toss with cilantro, lemon juice, and optional red chili.
02 - In a bowl, combine pineapple, watermelon, honey, and lime zest. Gently toss to evenly coat the fruit.
03 - In a separate bowl, combine cucumber, cherry tomatoes, crumbled feta cheese, olive oil, fresh mint, salt, and black pepper. Mix lightly to blend flavors.
04 - On a large round serving platter, create the concentric rings starting from the outer edge. Place the spicy chickpeas in a thick, even outer circle, then add the savory cucumber-tomato-feta mixture in the next inner ring, and finally fill the center with the sweet pineapple-watermelon mixture.
05 - Present immediately as an eye-catching centerpiece salad or appetizer.

# Top Tips:

01 -
  • It looks restaurant-quality but takes just 40 minutes—your guests won't believe you made it at home
  • Every bite offers a complete flavor adventure: sweet, savory, and spicy all in one mouthful, so no two tastes feel the same
  • It's naturally vegetarian and gluten-free, which means everyone at your table gets to enjoy something special without compromise
02 -
  • Pat your chickpeas completely dry before sautéing—moisture is the enemy of crispiness. I learned this the hard way when I spent ten minutes waiting for soggy chickpeas that never crisped up.
  • Assemble the platter no more than 30 minutes before serving. The moisture from the tomatoes and cucumber will eventually weep, softening everything. The sweet ring stays fresher the longest, so consider that when timing.
03 -
  • For perfectly sized diced fruit, cut pineapple and watermelon into ¼-inch pieces—any larger and they'll overwhelm the other rings; any smaller and they'll disappear
  • The difference between a good chickpea ring and a great one is high heat and patience. Don't stir constantly; let them sit for 2 minutes at a time so they develop crispy, browned edges rather than rolling around in oil
Go Back