Carrot Salad

Carrots are loaded with fiber and a number of beneficial nutrients but some cooking methods, like boiling, frying or cooking for a long period lead to nutrient loss.  This salad needs the steaming of grated carrots for one minute; hence it prevents the nutrient loss and it makes the texture of the carrots more chewable.

One of the benefits of eating steamed carrots is the Vitamin A content.  Carrots contain beta carotene which turns into Vitamin A in our body. Vitamin A maintains the health of our immune system, skin, hair and eyes.  Steamed carrots contain potassium, the essential mineral which helps in the healthy functioning of our muscles.  Steamed carrots also help in your intake of Vitamin K.  The deficiency of Vitamin K prevents proper blood clotting thus increasing your risk of blood loss after an injury.

This is a very easy salad to make.  .It makes a good appetizer or even between the meal snacks.  Adding peanuts gives it a crunchier taste as well as nutrition.  But if you are allergic to peanuts, you may use cashews or almonds instead.

I had this salad first time at my childhood friend’s home.  She had put just lemon juice and salt.  I made a little innovation and added olive oil to give it a smooth texture and taste enhancer.

 Ingredients:

Carrots 6, roasted peanuts 1 cup, juice of ½ lemon, olive oil 1 tbsp, salt and black pepper to taste 

Method:  

Peel off and grate carrots.  Steam these grated carrots for one minute or so.

Take these out in a bowl and leave them uncovered for five minutes so that all the steam evaporates.

In the meanwhile pound the peanuts so they turn into smaller bits.

Sprinkle these on the steamed carrots and mix them well.

Put lemon juice and olive oil and mix them again.

Add salt and black pepper and toss the salad.

Enjoy this healthy salad as an appetizer or even as an evening snack.