Sweet Carrot Crunch Salad

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by Leena Athparia, ND.
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It can be challenging incorporating salads in the winter, when we feel like hot foods.  Nonetheless, vegetables are important to add into the diet and a portion of raw food can help provide enzymes, fibre and nutritients we need that sometimes get reduced by cooking. Root vegetable salads are a perfect addition to the meal especially during the colder months with carrots, pumpkin, beets.

In Ayurvedic medicine, all the different tastes are combined into a meal, including some sweet. When we incorporate a natural sweet into the meal, you won’t crave a sweet dessert afterwards. For people that crave sweets, this is perfect !

Tip:
Always best to serve the salad at room temperature (not straight out of the fridge which is too cold). try taking the ingredients out of the fridge a few hours before you prepare the salad.For people who have colder constitutions, increase the ginger & pepper.  This will help warm you up since it reduces the cooling effect of raw food!
IngredientsSalad:

  • 1 large Carrot
  • 1 medium Apple
  • 1/2 cup Chopped pineapple (optional)
  • 1/2 cup Grated coconut (fresh is best – or dry organic)
  • 1/4 cup Dates
  • 1/4 cup Roasted peanuts (or almonds or sunflower seeds)
  • 1/4 cup Roasted or raw sesame seeds

Dressing:

  • 1 Orange
  • 1 Lemon (juice of)
  • 1-2 tbsp Honey (raw, unpasteurized)
  • 3 tbsp Olive oil
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper, coarsely ground, to taste
  • Grated ginger (optional)

Preparation Method:Salad:

  • Wash the carrot, peel, and finely chop it.
  • Wash the apple and chop it into small squares.
  • Chop the peanuts and dates into small pieces. Mix them with the chopped carrot, apple, and pineapple, together with some grated coconut, and roasted sesame seeds.

Dressing:

  • Juice the orange and lemon or lime.
  • In a small glass bowl, whisk together the orange and lemon/lime juices, honey, salt, and pepper.
  • Holding the measuring cup of olive oil about 30 cm above the bowl, pour the oil in a thin, steady stream, whisking constantly.

Pour the dressing on the salad ingredients, mix well, and serve.