Description
Crunchy Apple & Carrot Salad sparkles with fresh, zesty charm, blending crisp seasonal produce and tangy citrus notes. Refreshing textures and bright flavors invite you to savor each vibrant bite of this delightful summer side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 red apple
- 1 green apple
- 2 cups matchstick carrots
- 1 cup canned mandarin segments
Produce and Add-ins:
- 1/4 cup yellow onion
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Dressing and Seasonings:
- 1/4 cup vanilla yogurt
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Slice red and green apples into delicate, thin matchsticks. Drizzle fresh lemon juice over the apple pieces, gently tossing to prevent browning and enhance brightness. Allow to rest for 5 minutes to absorb citrus essence.
- Transfer prepared apple matchsticks into a spacious mixing vessel. Incorporate julienned carrots, finely diced yellow onion, and vibrant dried cranberries.
- Craft a luxurious dressing by whisking smooth vanilla yogurt with creamy mayonnaise. Season with subtle granulated sugar, delicate salt, and freshly cracked black pepper until harmoniously blended.
- Pour the creamy dressing over the vegetable and fruit mixture. Carefully fold ingredients to ensure uniform coating, maintaining the integrity of each component.
- Tenderly introduce drained mandarin orange segments, gently folding to prevent fragmentation while distributing them evenly throughout the salad.
- Seal the bowl with protective wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 3 hours. This chilling period allows flavors to intertwine and develop a sophisticated taste profile, transforming the salad into a cohesive culinary experience.
Notes
- Prevent apple browning by coating with lemon juice, which adds brightness and stops oxidation quickly.
- Mix ingredients gently to maintain the crisp texture of carrots and apples without creating a mushy consistency.
- Customize the salad’s sweetness by adjusting sugar levels or substituting with honey for a more natural sweetener option.
- Make this recipe diet-friendly by using Greek yogurt for extra protein and choosing low-fat mayonnaise to reduce calories.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 2.5 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg