ORANGE BLOSSOM MINTED CARROT RAISIN SALAD

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Orange Blossom Minted Carrot Raisin Salad image

I love traditional carrot raisin salad ... but I always hated that some people use WAY too much mayo. You could hardly taste the carrots which were the main ingredient. So I found this a few years ago, and it has become my favorite, especially since I live in FL, it has great orange flavor. This is originally a Whole Foods Recipe, but it has been passed around quite a bit, so there have been some changes; however, I can't claim any rights to this - but it is such a light refreshing recipe. Take advantage of those pre-shredded carrots from the produce section, I definitely do (but you can always shred your own, especially if you grow them in your garden). A few grocery store items and you are set. As there is no mayo in this dish, it makes a great BBQ dish or potluck salad because it travels well. I always garnish with a couple of orange slices to remind people of what the main flavor is. And ... Orange Blossom Water? ... What do I use it in? Why bother buying a whole bottle? Well, I originally bought it for this salad, but I have used it over seafood, in teas (warm and cold), rice, and drizzled over grilled vegetables which is great. It can be purchased online, at Whole Foods and many other Health Food Markets, also any Asian Markets. It is a great addition to your condiment collection.

Provided by SarasotaCook

Categories     < 15 Mins

Time 10m

Yield 6-8 Side servings, 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 lb carrot, shredded (usually 1 bag of shredded carrots)
1/4 cup cran raisins
1/4 cup golden raisin
1/2 cup pecans, rough chopped (add more nuts if you like)
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 orange (1 tablespoon zested, then 1/2 juiced, and the other 1/2 sliced as a garnish)
3 tablespoons orange blossom water (no substitute)
2 tablespoons orange blossom honey
3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup of fresh mint, chopped (more or less to taste)
salt
pepper

Steps:

  • Dressing -- Mix all the ingredients (except the mint) in a small bowl or measuring cup. Mix well to combine. Set half of the orange that you sliced as a garnish off to the side.
  • Salad -- In a medium bowl, add the carrots and both raisins and mix well to combine. Toss with 1/2 of the dressing and check for seasoning (salt and pepper). Add a bit more of the dressing, but save a little to add right before you serve. Cover well with saran wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
  • Serve -- Before serving, toss well, and add in the pecans, mint and the reserved dressing if necessary. I like to plate and garnish with some of the orange slices. ENJOY!

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