Recipe: Grated Carrot Salad

Recipe Source: Walden, Hilaire.  North African Cooking.  Hackberry Press, Dallas, 2004 p. 27

I will freely admit that I don't much care for this dish, but there's a very valid reason for that.  The main ingredient is carrot, and I have never managed to make myself learn to enjoy carrots.  I've tried, and I know my mother tried.  They used to tell me all sorts of things about carrots - they're good for your eyes, they'd help me grow up big and strong, blah blah blah.   Nothing worked.  I think I dislike carrots because they're so sweet.  I like sweets, but in their proper place - dessert, which should be chocolate if at all possible.  As far as I'm concerned, carrots are good for chicken soup and that's about it.  I know, however, that other people don't really share my aversion, that many people enjoy carrots, and that I should serve them on occasion so people don't get sick of eggplant.  I've served this recipe before, to a large crowd, and it went over pretty darn well if I do say so myself. 

I really didn't even make many changes to the recipe.  I halved the amount of oil, and I increased the amount of ginger.  That's really all, and that's okay.  It makes a great side dish, and it does look pretty on the plate. 

Grated Carrot Salad (Serves 4; approx. $0.71/serving)

1 lb small carrots, coarsely grated

2 tablespoons honey

Juice of 1 lemon

2 1/2 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 cup raisins

Kosher salt and black pepper to taste

Equipment:

• There is no required equipment for this recipe, but a food processor with a grater attachment will be much easier, faster, and safer for you than using a box grater for the carrots.

1. Put the grated carrots into the serving bowl.
2. Mix the remaining ingredients together in a separate bowl, then pour over the carrots.
3. Allow to stand 1 hour before serving.   

Technorati Tags: Easy recipes,vegetables,vegetarian recipes,carrots,North African food,salad,recipes using leftovers

Comments

[Tom Aarons]

Hi Fearless! I had a housemate who made this salad almost exactly to the recipe you've posted. And I agree totally that it is one of the best things that anyone can do with carrots! ;)

[salad shooter]

this salad has the nicest color. it's really pretty. thanks for sharing.

[[eatingclub] vancouver]

I've been looking for a carrot salad with an "exotic" twist. Exoticizing the carrot seems to be the only way I like it: I too am not a big fan of the carrot as carrot.

Thanks. . .I'll have to try this soon. Have a lot of big carrots that we haven't gotten around to eating, because, well, because they're just carrots. ;)