Lucky Clover Seasonal Starters

Featured in: Simple Everyday Comforts

This elegant trio of seasonal starters combines fresh green peas and mint in a smooth purée, thinly sliced roasted beet with a honey balsamic drizzle, and a creamy goat cheese mousse blended with chopped pistachios. Each element is plated as a clover leaf for a visually stunning presentation. Perfect for impressing guests, it features a balance of sweet, tangy, and creamy textures enhanced by fresh herbs and crunchy nuts. Preparation involves gentle sautéing, blending, assembling, and chilling to achieve fresh bold flavors.

Updated on Mon, 08 Dec 2025 22:16:51 GMT
Elegant Lucky Clover Seasonal Starters, with vibrant green pea, beet slices, and goat cheese mousse, ready to serve. Save to Pinterest
Elegant Lucky Clover Seasonal Starters, with vibrant green pea, beet slices, and goat cheese mousse, ready to serve. | honeyprairie.com

Lucky Clover Seasonal Starters present a vibrant trio of elegant seasonal appetizers, each thoughtfully plated to mimic the shape of a clover leaf. This contemporary French-inspired dish emphasizes fresh, bold flavors and artistic presentation, making it the perfect choice to impress guests at any gathering. The combination of a refreshing green pea and mint purée, delicate roasted beet carpaccio, and creamy goat cheese with pistachio mousse delivers a harmonious balance that celebrates the best of the season.

Elegant Lucky Clover Seasonal Starters, with vibrant green pea, beet slices, and goat cheese mousse, ready to serve. Save to Pinterest
Elegant Lucky Clover Seasonal Starters, with vibrant green pea, beet slices, and goat cheese mousse, ready to serve. | honeyprairie.com

Each component of the Lucky Clover Seasonal Starters can be prepared ahead, allowing you to assemble the dish quickly when guests arrive. The vibrant colors and delicate textures bring together a sophisticated tasting experience that highlights contemporary French culinary techniques with a modern twist.

Ingredients

  • Green Pea & Mint Purée
    200 g fresh or frozen green peas, 1 small shallot finely chopped, 1 tbsp olive oil, 5 fresh mint leaves, 1 tbsp crème fraîche, salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • Roasted Beet Carpaccio
    2 small cooked beets peeled and thinly sliced, 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar, 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, 1 tsp honey, salt and pepper
  • Goat Cheese & Pistachio Mousse
    120 g fresh goat cheese softened, 2 tbsp mascarpone cheese, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp chopped fresh chives, 2 tbsp shelled pistachios finely chopped, freshly ground black pepper
  • Garnish
    Handful of baby arugula leaves, edible flowers (optional), extra chopped pistachios

Instructions

1. Prepare the Green Pea & Mint Purée:
In a small saucepan, heat olive oil and sauté shallot until translucent. Add peas and cook for 2–3 minutes (longer if frozen). Drain and rinse under cold water. Blend peas, mint, crème fraîche, salt, and pepper until smooth. Chill until ready to serve.
2. Prepare the Roasted Beet Carpaccio:
Whisk balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Arrange beet slices on a plate and drizzle with the dressing. Chill.
3. Prepare the Goat Cheese & Pistachio Mousse:
In a bowl, mix goat cheese, mascarpone, lemon juice, chives, and black pepper until creamy. Fold in chopped pistachios. Refrigerate for 10 minutes to firm up.
4. Assemble the Starters:
On each plate, arrange three leaves in a clover shape: one scoop green pea purée, one beet slice, and one quenelle of goat cheese mousse. Garnish with baby arugula, edible flowers, and extra pistachios. Serve immediately.

Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung

Prepare each component in advance and chill as recommended to ensure bright flavors and fresh textures. Use a mandoline or sharp knife for uniform beet slices to enhance the elegant presentation. Adjust seasoning carefully at each step to maintain balance across all elements.

Varianten und Anpassungen

For a vegan version, substitute plant-based crème fraîche and cheese alternatives. You can add microgreens for extra freshness and vary the nuts by replacing pistachios with toasted walnuts or almonds, adjusting the garnish accordingly.

Serviervorschläge

Serve these seasonal starters as an elegant appetizer for dinner parties or festive occasions. They pair beautifully with a dry Sauvignon Blanc or a crisp sparkling wine, which complement the fresh herbaceous notes and creamy textures.

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| honeyprairie.com

With its rich textures, vibrant colors, and refined flavors, Lucky Clover Seasonal Starters offer a memorable introduction to any meal. Perfectly suited for those who appreciate artistry and seasonal ingredients, this dish invites you to enjoy a taste of contemporary French elegance at home.

Questions & Answers

How do I prepare the green pea and mint purée?

Sauté shallots in olive oil until translucent, cook peas briefly, then blend with mint leaves and crème fraîche until smooth. Chill before serving.

What is the best way to slice the roasted beets thinly?

Use a mandoline or a very sharp knife to ensure thin, even slices that will absorb the honey balsamic dressing well.

Can I make the goat cheese mousse ahead of time?

Yes, mix goat cheese, mascarpone, lemon juice, chives, and pistachios then refrigerate for at least 10 minutes to firm up before plating.

What garnish complements the starters best?

Fresh baby arugula leaves, edible flowers, and extra chopped pistachios add texture and color to the plated trio.

Is there a suitable wine pairing for these starters?

A dry Sauvignon Blanc or a crisp sparkling wine pairs beautifully to accentuate fresh and bold flavors.

Lucky Clover Seasonal Starters

A vibrant trio of green pea purée, beet carpaccio, and goat cheese mousse with fresh, bold flavors.

Prep duration
30 minutes
Cook duration
15 minutes
Overall time needed
45 minutes
Recipe by Honey Prairie Abigail Greene


Skill Level Medium

Cuisine type Contemporary French

Makes 4 Number of portions

Diet specifications Meatless, No Gluten

What You'll Need

Green Pea & Mint Purée

01 7 oz fresh or frozen green peas
02 1 small shallot, finely chopped
03 1 tbsp olive oil
04 5 fresh mint leaves
05 1 tbsp crème fraîche
06 Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Roasted Beet Carpaccio

01 2 small cooked beets, peeled and thinly sliced
02 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
03 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
04 1 tsp honey
05 Salt and pepper to taste

Goat Cheese & Pistachio Mousse

01 4.2 oz fresh goat cheese, softened
02 2 tbsp mascarpone cheese
03 1 tbsp lemon juice
04 1 tbsp chopped fresh chives
05 2 tbsp shelled pistachios, finely chopped
06 Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Garnish

01 Handful of baby arugula leaves
02 Edible flowers (optional)
03 Extra chopped pistachios

How to Make It

Step 01

Prepare the Green Pea & Mint Purée: Heat olive oil in a small saucepan and sauté the shallot until translucent. Add peas and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, longer if using frozen. Drain and rinse under cold water. Blend peas with mint leaves, crème fraîche, salt, and pepper until smooth. Chill until serving.

Step 02

Prepare the Roasted Beet Carpaccio: Whisk together balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Arrange beet slices on a plate and drizzle evenly with the dressing. Chill until ready to serve.

Step 03

Prepare the Goat Cheese & Pistachio Mousse: Combine goat cheese, mascarpone, lemon juice, chives, and black pepper in a bowl, mixing until creamy. Fold in chopped pistachios and refrigerate for 10 minutes to firm.

Step 04

Assemble the Starters: On each plate, arrange three components in a clover shape: a scoop of green pea purée, a beet slice, and a quenelle of goat cheese mousse. Garnish with baby arugula, edible flowers, and extra pistachios. Serve immediately.

Essential tools

  • Saucepan
  • Blender or food processor
  • Mixing bowls
  • Mandoline or sharp knife
  • Serving plates and spoons

Allergy Details

Go through all ingredients to spot potential allergies. If unsure, check with a health expert.
  • Contains dairy (crème fraîche, goat cheese, mascarpone) and nuts (pistachios). Check processed ingredients for hidden allergens.

Nutrition details (per portion)

Details for informational use only — not a substitute for a medical professional.
  • Energy (calories): 220
  • Lipids: 13 g
  • Carbohydrates: 16 g
  • Proteins: 8 g