Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Asian-Style Carrot Salad



From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...Most of us have a recipe for the ubiquitous carrot-raisin slaw tucked somewhere in our kitchen files. I haven't used my copy of the salad in over thirty years. I was never especially fond of it and, as we began to travel, I found other recipes that I thought were far more satisfying. This Asian-style carrot salad is one of my current favorites. There is a tartness to it that plays nicely against sweet barbecued meats and it is a wonderful, easy addition to an Asian-style meal. We had a salad that was quite similar to this while we were in Thailand. This salad, developed by Laurent Tourondel for Food and Wine magazine, is zen-like in its simplicity. Its only ingredients are carrots and cilantro. The dressing, however, takes the salad to another plane. Carrot and ginger juice are teamed with vinegar and a mixture of oils to produce a vibrant dressing that is unique and plays nicely with the sweet and crunchy carrots it is used to dress. I do have a few cautions should you choose to make it. If you can't resist the temptation to use pre-shredded carrots, test to make sure you can get a forkful that doesn't resemble porcupine quills into your mouth. That is a lesson learned from bitter and embarrassing experience of the "we grow too soon old and too late smart" variety. You should also know that the dressing will slightly dull the vibrant color of the carrots. The carrot juice can't quite overcome the mayonnaise in the dressing and the carrots will take on a slightly milky hue. Lastly, don't add the final measure of cilantro until you are ready to serve the salad. Its brilliant green is gorgeous against the orange of the carrots, but if it sits too long it will blacken and add nothing to the finished salad. If I haven't scared you away, here's the recipe for a unique salad that I think you'll enjoy.

Asian-Style Carrot Salad
...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite, courtesy of Laurent Tourondel

Ingredients:

1 pound carrots, peeled and shredded
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tablespoons sherry wine vinegar
1 cup coarsely chopped cilantro
1/2 cup canola oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1/3 cup carrot juice
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1-1/2 teaspoons Asian sesame oil
3/4 teaspoon fresh ginger juice, squeezed from 2 teaspoons finely minced ginger

Directions:
1) Combine carrots, garlic, vinegar, 1/2 cup cilantro and 1/4 cup canola oil in a medium bowl. Toss well. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Let carrots stand for 15 minutes. Drain well.
2) Boil carrot juice in a small saucepan set over medium heat until reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Cool slightly. Add mayonnaise, sesame oil, ginger juice and reserved 1/4 cup canola oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3) Add dressing and remaining 1/2 cup cilantro to carrots and toss well. Transfer to serving bowl. Serve immediately. Yield: 6 servings.

You might also enjoy these recipes:

Asian Bean Sprout Salad - One Perfect Bite

Thai Cucumber Salad - One Perfect Bite
Khmer Green Papaya Salad - One Perfect Bite

44 comments :

Selba said...

I love eating this kind of carrot salad, it can be so refreshing on a hot day and also giving a kick for an appetite :)

Angie's Recipes said...

HA! I just bought another pack of 2kg carrots! Must give this salad a try! THanks!

Deb in Hawaii said...

It looks delicious and I love all of the ingredients too. ;-)

♥Sugar♥Plum♥Fairy♥ said...

Oh u sure do love carrots and i so love that u do...i love asian flavours and u combine it sweety carrots and u have a winner ,as always ...super fantastic ....

Ana Powell said...

So easy and delicious.
Great x

Sonia ~ Nasi Lemak Lover said...

This salad sound nice and healthy!

Allie and Pattie said...

Years ago, my uncle used to make a very similar salad when he attended the Italian Air Force Academy. The pilots were actually encouraged to eat tons of raw carrots for their eyesight and the young men would all try different recipes. Thanks for the memory- we will try this one!
xoxo Pattie

KathyB. said...

Now this carrot salad is one I will make, minus the cilantro. Just can't make myself like cilantro...it is a salad that will pair with so many recipes we make and eat,And it is pretty too.

3 hungry tummies said...

This will go perfectly with any bbq meat or fish! Very nice indeed!

Debbie said...

Sounds intereting. I love the addition of cilantro and ginger...

T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types said...

I have become such a fan of carrot salads as I've gotten some wonderful carrots from the CSA in the summer. This is such a unique twist, I can't wait to give it a try! Many thanks!

♥ Kathy said...

I'll have to try this. I've always made more of a traditional carrot salad :)

Claudia said...

I adore carrot salad. I love the addition of the carrot juice with the ginger. Oh yes!

noble pig said...

I like the sesame oil in here, very nice.

Hungry Dog said...

I'm sure I would love this as I adore all things carrot! Fabulous recipe, I am bookmarking.

Valérie said...

I'm amazed at how often you post!

This salad looks excellent. Carrot salad is a staple in the summer at my house, and I'd love to try this version!

Jannabis Wellness said...

This carrot salad has all the elements that I love- I'll definitely give it a try. Thanks for another great recipe!

Barbara said...

The only recipe I have ever had for a carrot salad had pineapple in it which I never cared for. Yours looks perfect!

Cathy said...

This sounds so fresh and crunchy. I think this would be wonderful served with teriyaki chicken this summer. Looking forward to trying this, Mary.

Amy Ricks said...

Great recipe. I do not enjoy cooked carrots, but love them raw and am always looking for new ways to enjoy them! Thanks.

Gloria Baker said...

I love carrots and this salad look really Yummy!! love your blog Mary! gloria

ICook4Fun said...

Hi Mary, thanks for stopping by my blog and left a comment. I've been following your blog for a while now and I just love it. You are my idol when come to cooking and baking.

Andreas said...

Enticing recipe.

Another variation is to substitute the currants with julienned apples. (and adding a classical vinaigrette)

Bob said...

Actually, I've never heard of carrot raisin slaw... doesn't sound like something I'd like either, since I'm not into raisins.

This Asian one sounds fantastic, though. I love the idea of the ginger juice in it, keeps you from getting distracting bursts of ginger.

tasteofbeirut said...

The idea to use carrot juice in the dressing is sheer brilliancy; so simple and yet so refined and to the point! I mean we are eating carrots here are we not? Looks a bit like the salads we make in my neck of the woods with the cilantro addition

Anonymous said...

This sounds so good. I'm definitely bookmarking this! Great photo :D

The Diva on a Diet said...

This looks and sounds so good! I love the use of the carrot juice in the dressing, what a great idea! I'm a big fan of any and everything with carrots ... but, sadly, my husband is not. Its the one veggie he doesn't enjoy. Will have to make a mini batch of this all for myself!

Janice said...

I like the sound of this. I love raw carrots and the dressing sounds really interesting.

Joanne said...

I definitely prefer Asian flavors to that mayo blahness. I'm definitely going to try this with the bag of grated carrots I have in my fridge!

theUngourmet said...

I'm thinking that this would go perfectly with the rest of my dinner menu for tonight!

Foley said...

Now this is something I have tried before - love carrots but never thought of a carrot slaw!!
Great post!!

MaryMoh said...

The colour looks very beautiful and healthy. I'm sure it's very delicious. My family eats a lot of carrot but never as a salad. I have to try.

Ms. Meanie said...

I've actually never had a carrot salad (bows head). But this one sounds amazing.

foodcreate said...

This salad sound delicious and healthy can't wait to try!!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

I like the addition of Asian condiments and spices, Mary. This will make a delicious warm weather side dish.

A Canadian Foodie said...

I have honoured you with a beautiful blog award because you do such beautiful work. Stop buy and pick it up sometime... just paying it forward where it is deserved.
:)
Valerie

Kim said...

This sounds like the perfect way to perk up a platter of bbq! Love the colors.

evouchette said...

A nice and fresh carrot salad, and like I love ginger , I'm eager to try it .
thank you for your visit and your nice comment
Have a nice evening

SashaInTheKitchen said...

looks delicious and healthy too. love the dressing. gotta try out something like this.

Anusce@Ciao-Chow said...

I am a salad lover but this one I had not tried!! I will soon!!! Thanks for sharing!

Katy ~ said...

So enjoyed seeing a new (to me) twist on an old favorite. Thanks for sharing.

tigerfish said...

They really look like noodles!

Tiffiny Felix said...

My mom used to make a carrot salad with rasins and a sweet dressing. This looks and sounds so much better!! I'm so excited to try this! :)

mr. pineapple man said...

I want to feed this to my cousin! she loves carrots!

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