Friday, January 2, 2009

Quick Carrot and Raisin Salad

I think it's natural when starting a new year to think about changes you can make to your life to make it better. Whether they work or not is a whole different story. And while resolutions at this time of year are a dime a dozen, you won't find any of them here. Any lifestyle changes I'm making, I've been making for a couple months now. And really, they're personal. Sorry.

What I can share here, besides this really delicious Quick Carrot Slaw from Cooking Light, are some things to look forward to with this blog.

1: There will be a big exciting blog giveaway this month, just in time for my birthday. I'm pretty excited about it.

2: January will again be a celebration (for the most part) of my big love of vegetables. Yippee carrot salad! It's really good. I promise!

3: There will be much much more yeast bread here. I've been dabbling in it a little bit and haven't posted because I'm not changing the recipes at all. But as I get more confident in my bread baking I'll be sharing with you!

4: Perhaps you may remember me mentioning that Chester and Louise are in the freezer. While I am tremendously enjoying the pig and the lamb, the Brain informed me yesterday that we are getting 1/4 of a cow in the next two weeks. Sorry vegetarians, but I've got a hearty portion of pig and lamb to cook up to make room for the cow. and most likely there will be more meat going on. There still will be some vegetarian recipes sprinkled in though. Like this delicious carrot salad.

5: Yes, I'm in school for another semester and that means I'm going to continue to rely on the slow cooker. SO look for more easy to prepare meals for people on the go!

6: I still love legumes and Legume Wednesday will be continuing through 2009. Starting next week.

7: I have been really crappy at responding to comments and I'm going to try much harder to respond when you comment.

Yikes! That last one sounds like a resolution so I'm going to stop here. Have some carrot salad.

Quick Carrot and Raisin Salad
adapted from Cooking Light
Yield 4 servings

1/3 cup raisins
1/2 small red onion, minced
2 Tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley
1 1/2 tablespoons sliced almonds
1 pound matchstick-cut carrots
3 tablespoons fat-free mayonnaise
juice of 1 lemon
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 cloves garlic, minced

Combine the first 5 ingredients in a large bowl.

Combine mayonnaise and remaining ingredients in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk. Spoon dressing over carrot mixture; toss gently to coat. Cover and chill at least 30 minutes.

6 comments:

Amanda said...

This salad sounds really great, Mary. I love fresh salad sides, and this one fits the bill!

Siri said...

I love new salad ideas that don't involve jello, cool whip, or ice berg lettuce. I actually have made an Indian-influenced carrot salad a few times with dried currants, cashews, cilantro, and a citrus vinaigrette. It was pretty darn good. Yours looks good too! P.s. I got a package in the mail from Ohio today. Hmm...more on that latter.

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

Your resolutions sound like they are realistic and easily within reach Mary. It has been a pleasure to follow your blog over the past year and I am looking forweard to sharing more tasty dishes like this carrot salad!!

Johanna GGG said...

happy new year mary - sounds like reasonable aims - rather than resolutions - and the salad looks good and tasty

Anonymous said...

Speaking of tasty carroty-things, you should try the Carrot Kinpira recipe over at JustBento. It sounds yummy AND super-easy - perfect for a girl on the go like you! And enjoy the cow... mmmm... meat...

Mary said...

Amanda- It really was a great fresh salad. And even better after some time in the fridge!

Siri- Your Indian spiced carrot salad sounds delicious! And I'm so glad you got the package!

Thanks Val!

Johanna- I figured I had enough to deal with without resolutions on top!

Erin- I'll have to go check it out! Thanks!