Medicine Wheel Recipe

Prepare dressing

Halve and pit the avocado. Scoop the flesh into a medium bowl. Add the orange juice, lime juice, olive oil, sea salt and black pepper. Mash with a fork until mostly smooth but still slightly textured. Taste and adjust seasoning: add more salt, lime, or a teaspoon of honey if you want a touch of sweetness.

If you prefer a smoother dressing, pulse the mixture in a small blender or use an immersion blender for 10–15 seconds until creamy.

If rice is not already cooked, rinse 1/2 cup short-grain brown rice and cook according to package instructions (about 1 cup cooked). Let cool slightly. If using canned black beans, rinse and drain; warm gently or leave at room temperature.

Season the rice and beans lightly with a pinch of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of lime juice to tie flavors to the dressing.

Prepare all vegetables: halve cherry tomatoes, thinly slice the beet into ribbons (use a vegetable peeler or mandoline), grate carrots, thinly slice yellow pepper and cucumber, and shred purple cabbage. Arrange them in a circular 'wheel' pattern on a large shallow platter or plate, grouping each color in its own wedge so the platter visually resembles a medicine wheel.

Place the microgreens or baby arugula in the center of the wheel as a small mound.

Spoon the seasoned rice into one quadrant of the wheel (or a small bowl placed on the platter) and the black beans into an adjacent quadrant so they form part of the circle with the vegetables.

Dollop or gently spread the avocado-citrus dressing in the center around the microgreens and also drizzle lightly over select vegetable wedges. The avocado base can also be served on the side for people to take.

Scatter toasted pepitas and thinly sliced radishes over the platter for crunch. Sprinkle smoked paprika lightly over the beet and rice areas for visual contrast and a mild smoky note.

Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and serve with lime wedges on the side. Encourage diners to combine different wedges on their fork to experience the interplay of flavors.