Mediterranean Refreshing Apple Cranberry Carrot Salad

This Mediterranean Refreshing Apple Cranberry Carrot Salad is crisp and colorful texture. We prepare this colorful salad with apples, carrots, cranberries, walnuts, almonds, parsley, mint, olive oil, lemon juice, sea salt, honey, Dijon mustard, lemon zest, and black pepper. This vibrant salad has about 185 calories and 21 g of net carbs. In just fifteen minutes, we can prepare this vibrant salad. We store this salad in the refrigerator for three days, although freezing is not advised because the fresh produce loses its crispness. You can serve this colorful salad with Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken, Mediterranean Baked Salmon, Falafel with Tahini, Whole Wheat Pita and Hummus, or Lentil Soup.

STATS:

• Course: Salad, Side Dish, Light Lunch
• Calories: 185 kcal
• Diet: Mediterranean
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cuisine: Mediterranean
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Portion Size: 1½ cups
• Cooking Mode: No-Cook
• Total Servings: 6
• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Total Time: 15 minutes

TOOLS:

• Vessels
• Knife
• Box grater
• Cutting board
• Measuring spoons and cups
• Whisk
• Vegetable peeler
• Salad serving bowl

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 apples
• 2 cups carrots
• ½ cup cranberries
• ¼ cup walnuts
• ¼ cup sliced almonds
• ¼ cup parsley
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt
• 2 tablespoons mint
• Olive oil, two tbsp.
• Two tbsp. lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• ½ teaspoon lemon zest
• ¼ tsp. black pepper

INGREDIENT NOTES:

CRANBERRIES:

• We utilize cranberries to add a sweet and tangy flavor. Alternatively, you can use raisins, dried cherries, or dried blueberries.

SLICED ALMONDS:

• We use sliced almonds for extra crunch and a nutty flavor. Instead, you can use chopped hazelnuts or pine nuts.

OLIVE OIL:

• Olive oil gives the dressing a rich Mediterranean flavor and healthy fats. You can also use avocado oil.

PARSLEY & MINT:

• Fresh parsley and mint provide a bright and fresh flavor. You can substitute them with basil, cilantro, or dill.

DIJON MUSTARD:

• Dijon mustard helps blend the dressing while adding a mild, tangy taste. Instead, you can use whole grain mustard.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Rinse and julienne the apples.
2. Carefully mix with a small amount of lemon juice to avoid browning.
3. We peel the carrots first and then grate them.
4. Stir the mint, apples, parsley, carrots, almonds, dried cranberries, and walnuts in a dish.
5. Mix the black pepper, olive oil, salt, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, and lemon zest in a different dish.
6. Distribute the dressing on the salad & gently whisk till every element is uniformly coated.
7. Allow the salad to sit for almost ten minutes and serve this salad at a neutral temperature.

TIPS:

• We utilize crisp apples for a perfect texture.
• You could toast the almonds and walnuts for additional flavor.
• Include apples just before eating to get maximum freshness.
• Refrigerate the salad for almost twenty minutes and then serve.
• Garnish with feta cheese to get a richer Mediterranean flavor.
• Include pomegranate seeds for additional color and freshness.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS:

MAIN DISHES:

• Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken
• Mediterranean Baked Salmon
• Garlic Herb Shrimp Skewers
• Spinach and Feta Stuffed Chicken
• Mediterranean Turkey Meatballs

SOUPS:

• Mediterranean Lentil Soup
• Tomato Basil Soup
• Greek Chickpea Soup
• Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
• Roasted Red Pepper Soup

SANDWICHES & WRAPS:

• Grilled Chicken Pita Wrap
• Turkey and Hummus Wrap
• Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich
• Tuna Salad Whole Wheat Sandwich
• Falafel Wrap

SIDE DISHES:

• Lemon Herb Quinoa
• Roasted Mediterranean Vegetables
• Garlic Green Beans
• Brown Rice Pilaf
• Herb-Roasted Baby Potatoes

BREAD & DIPS:

• Whole Wheat Pita Bread
• Classic Hummus
• Tzatziki Sauce
• Baba Ganoush
• Whole Grain Crackers

BEVERAGES:

• Fresh Mint Lemon Water
• Sparkling Lemon Water
• Unsweetened Iced Green Tea

STORAGE INFORMATION:

FRIDGE:

• Put this colorful salad in a closed box and stock it for longer than 2 days.

FREEZER:

• We don’t suggest storing this colorful salad, as the carrots and apples will lose their crispy texture after defrosting.

FAQs:

Which apple is perfect for utilizing?

• You can use Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Fuji, and Gala.

Could we include protein?

• Yes, you can use feta cheese, grilled chicken, quinoa, chickpeas, or lentils.

May we utilize fresh cranberries?

• Yes, you can use fresh cranberries, although cut them finely and include a small amount of additional honey, as they are quite tart.

Will we include additional veggies?

• Yes, you can use shredded broccoli, celery, red cabbage, or cucumber.

NUTRITIONAL FACTS:

Calories: 185 kcal

Sodium: 145 mg

Net Carbs: 21 g

Fiber: 5 g

Sugar: 16 g

Fats: 10 g

Proteins: 3 g

Portion Size: 1½ cups

Total Carbs: 26 g