Description
Crisp apple & carrot salad brings fresh Mediterranean flavors to your table with zesty citrus dressing. Nutritious ingredients and simple preparation make this salad a delightful choice for quick, healthy meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Fresh Produce:
- 1 red apple
- 1 green apple
- 2 cups matchstick carrots
- 1/2 cup yellow onion
- 1 cup canned mandarin segments
Dried Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1 tablespoon sugar
Dressing and Seasoning:
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Transform crisp red and green apples into delicate matchstick pieces, ensuring uniform size for consistent texture.
- Drizzle fresh lemon juice over apple slices, gently tossing to prevent oxidation and maintain vibrant color for approximately 5 minutes.
- Select a spacious mixing vessel and combine julienned carrots, finely diced onion, and tangy dried cranberries.
- Incorporate lemon-kissed apple matchsticks into the vegetable mixture, creating a harmonious blend of colors and textures.
- Craft a luscious dressing by whisking together creamy vanilla yogurt, rich mayonnaise, subtle sugar, nuanced salt, and freshly ground black pepper until smooth and homogeneous.
- Tenderly integrate drained mandarin segments, using a light folding technique to preserve their delicate structure.
- Seal the salad in an airtight container and allow flavors to meld and intensify in the refrigerator for a minimum of 3 hours before serving.
- Prior to presentation, give the salad a gentle stir to redistribute the dressing and reinvigorate the ingredients.
Notes
- Prevent apple browning by quickly tossing sliced apples with fresh lemon juice, creating a crisp and vibrant appearance.
- Customize the salad’s sweetness by adjusting sugar levels or replacing it with honey for a more natural flavor profile.
- Enhance protein content by adding chopped nuts like almonds or walnuts for extra crunch and nutritional value.
- Make the recipe dairy-free by substituting yogurt with coconut yogurt or using a vegan mayonnaise alternative.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 164 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 190 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg