I have a simple savory carrot salad already on this site, which I have gotten a lot of very good feedback from. It seems I am not the only one who finds savory carrot salads better than the oh-so-sweet versions. But I wanted to mix things up a little. This version contains a lot of other elements to add interest. Toasted nuts for flavor and texture, celery, again flavor and texture, and fresh herbs from my garden. I also used both balsamic vinegar and red wine vinegar. I find that if you use one or another, it can be to overpowering. The balsamic makes it too sweet, the red wine too tart, but together I find it the perfect combination. The result is a refreshing salad with crunch and a lot of flavor.
Have I mentioned that I have a small herb garden in my back yard? It didn’t work out to plant vegetables plants in the spring, but I decided I, at least, had to plant some herbs. I have thyme, oregano, rosemary, basil, dill and lovage. But the one that has really caught my interest recently has been the oregano. I knew I liked oregano, because I liked it dried. But it’s so much nicer fresh. I have used it in many different recipes, but this is one of my favorite ways to use it. Tinned Tomatoes is having her monthly cooking challenge ( labeled No Croutons Required). This month the challenge is to share a vegetarian soup or salad that showcases your favorite herb. I think this carrot salad recipe showcase oregano’s fresh, robust flavor very well.
And, for those of you who didn’t know, today is the second part of the Nourishing Frugal Food Carnival, this week hosted by Stephanie. What I love about this salad is that it is a gourmet salad, whose base (carrots) is a cheap, but nourishing vegetable that is very satisfying. You can often get carrots even cheaper by asking for special bulk orders at stores. I also try to buy my nuts in bulk to get them cheaper. If you have an herb garden, the oregano isn’t even an extra expense. And who says that frugal, nourishing and gourmet food isn’t possible?
Savory Carrot Salad with Toasted Nuts and Fresh Oregano
6 carrots, washed, peeled and shredded
2 celery sticks, washed and very thinly sliced
3/4 cup of chopped toasted nuts (toasted in a heavy pan over medium high heat on the stove top just until lightly browned and the rich smell of nuts drifts up to you)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano (or more to taste!)
2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon style mustard
1 -2 fresh garlic cloves, minced
Pinch of salt and freshly ground pepper
1-In a nice bowl, put the shredded carrots, sliced celery, toasted nuts, and fresh oregano. Lightly toss together.
2-Combine the rest of the ingredients and whisk well. Pour over the other ingredients and toss until carrots are coated.
3-Taste and adjust with salt, pepper and oil and vinegar. Depending on how large your carrots are, you may need to drizzle a little more oil and vinegar on, so that they aren’t dry.
Serve right away, or chill.
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This sounds delicious! Thanks! 🙂
Blessings,
Michele
Mmm, I think we might like this new version even better than the original! Now I want to go buy some nuts and try it!
I’m excited week two of the carnival is here! I got so many great ideas last week, and I can’t wait to get more this week- so much fun!
Great recipe! It is really nice to find a salad that calls for fresh oregano. Oregano routinely tries to take over my herb garden and I really don’t have that many recipes that even ask me to use it. What’s more your recipe also sounds healthy and delicious.
btw – I’m tagging you with the “Six Random Things About Me” meme. 🙂
Stephanie,
I agree! I am looking forward to looking through everyone else’s entries.
Lisa,
Thanks. 🙂 I didn’t realize that oregano was so aggressive! I just planted it this year, and I use it so much, it’s looking pretty small. LOL.
you can also try lemon juice (instead of vinegar)on carrot salads with oil,salt and whatever herbs you want(fresh garlic too, my husband reccomends :)…the lemon isn’t as strong as the vinegar
Yum! Looks great! I LOVE savory carrot salads (can’t stand the sweet ones!) and may have to try this one of these days! Thanks!
Best,
Sarah
This sounds so good! I’m going to try this salad this weekend! Do you mind sharing more about fresh oregano? I (blushing) have an enormous plant…but I don’t really know what to do with it. Is it too late once it has flowered?
Thanks!
Oregano is great too, if you toss it, along with olive oil, salt and pepper on roasted potatoes – delish! I also use it after it flowers. It’s very hardy, which is great too, one plant will last for years!
Jessica,
I agree with your husband, garlic is great (not just in carrot salads, but everything!). It’s also true that lemon juice is less strong, but for some reason, I haven’t been as into it. I don’t know why. It just doesn’t seem to have as well developed flavor. BUT it is extremely good for you, so I wish I liked it more in salads!
Julie,
I hope you like the recipe. 🙂 I have used oregano in many things. I like it in soups, especially vegetable “creamed” soup, I have used it with other herbs with a little bit of oil and garlic on top of baked chicken and that was very good as well. It’s also good in salad dressings. I am trying to think what else I have tried….If I think of any other ideas I will let you know.
I do use my herbs like oregano after they have flowered with no problems, so I think you are okay. 🙂
Hi, Kimi-
I gave you an award on my blog. Stop by if you have time! 🙂 Hope you’re having a good weekend.
Blessings,
MIchele
http://www.frugalgranola.blogspot.com
I and my whole family loved the first carrot salad. I will definitely have to make this one too. I’m always looking for good veggie recipes. This ones a keeper!
Wow! I can’t believe I hadn’t seen your blog before now. Just found you through Michele@FrugalGranola. Great recipes! I’m going to add you to my reader.
Michele,
You are so sweet, Thank you!
Reeni,
I’m so glad! I bet you will like this one too, if you liked the other version. 🙂
Lauren,
Welcome! So glad you found me. 🙂
This salad looks fantastic! Definitely on my “to-try” list. Glad I found your blog! 🙂
I made this tonight–it was DELICIOUS!!! I used 1/3 cup toasted sunflower seeds instead of 3/4 cup nuts. Thank you SO much for posting. I had been looking for a recipe like this after tasting something similiar at my local co-op grocery store/restaurant.
Also, I was glad to read about being able to use oregano after it had flowered, because I was thinking I couldn’t also. And, I too am glad to have a recipe for my oregano.
Anonymous,
I am so glad that it turned out for you. 🙂 Yum, I bet that sunflower seeds would be great in it. 🙂
Ricki,
Thanks for the comment. Hope to “see you around” here often. 🙂
I haven’t been able to come up with a homemade dressing yet that I liked until I tried this salad! I LOVE the texture combination of carrots, celery, and almonds, and the dressing is so awesome. I have used this salad on top of greens with some boiled eggs and it just adds so much flavor. 🙂 Thank you!!!
Hi Kim,
How did you shred the carrots like that? I’ve never been able to do that. I do have a food processor but it shreds the carrots into little bits. Thanks so much. This looks great.
Second that, how did you shred like that?
Hi there, I made this salad as a side for dinner tonight. I felt compelled to write a comment about it because it was AMAZING! My two daughters even ate it without too much drama. Thank you so much for this delicious recipe! 🙂
Hi there, I made this salad as a side for dinner tonight. I felt compelled to write a comment about it because it was AMAZING! My two daughters even ate it without too much drama. Thank you so much for this delicious recipe! 🙂