Raw beets, really?
Yep. To this daughter of a midwesterner, beets only come two ways, roasted or boiled and then "pickled" in a vinaigrette.
The first time I had raw beets, in a matchstick carrot and beet salad at a local Moroccan restaurant, it was a revelation. They're just like carrots! But ruby red.
Here's my take on the Moroccan classic, a raw shredded carrot and beet salad seasoned with cinnamon, paprika, and cumin, honey, lemon, and mint. Lovely and light as a side to chicken, turkey, or lamb.
Moroccan Grated Carrot and Beet Salad
We always have fresh mint growing in yard somewhere, which is why I like tossing it into salads. If you don't have easy access to fresh mint for this recipe, just skip it.
Ingredients
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2 cups grated carrots (from about 3 carrots)
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1 cup grated fresh beets (from about 1 medium-sized peeled beet)
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1/2 cup golden raisins
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1/2 teaspoon paprika (sweet, not hot)
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1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
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1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
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Small pinch salt
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Small pinch cayenne
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2 tablespoons lemon juice
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2 teaspoons honey
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2 tablespoons sliced fresh mint leaves
Method
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Rinse the grated beets, combine with carrots and raisins:
Place the grated carrots in a medium sized serving bowl.
Place the grated beets into a sieve and briefly rinse with cold water. This will rinse away a little of the excess beet juice that may otherwise color the whole salad beet red. Pat dry with a paper towel.
Then add to the bowl with the carrots. Add the raisins. Stir to gently combine.
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Make the dressing:
In a small bowl, whisk together the paprika, cumin, cinnamon, salt, and cayenne. Then add the lemon juice and honey and whisk until smooth.
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Dress the carrots and beets, let sit for an hour:
Drizzle over the the carrots and beets, then gently fold until the carrots and beets are lightly coated. Let sit for an hour before serving, either chilled or at room temperature, for the dressing to seep into the carrots and beets.
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Stir in sliced mint before serving:
Right before serving, stir in a couple tablespoons of sliced fresh mint leaves. Garnish with fresh mint.
Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
---|---|
110 | Calories |
0g | Fat |
28g | Carbs |
2g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
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Servings: 4 | |
Amount per serving | |
Calories | 110 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 0g | 0% |
Saturated Fat 0g | 0% |
Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
Sodium 103mg | 4% |
Total Carbohydrate 28g | 10% |
Dietary Fiber 4g | 13% |
Total Sugars 19g | |
Protein 2g | |
Vitamin C 7mg | 34% |
Calcium 41mg | 3% |
Iron 1mg | 6% |
Potassium 458mg | 10% |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. |