This carrot cranberry salad has all the flavours of Christmas without the overindulgence. I find having a few simple recipes up my sleeve helps to keep everything in balance. This salad is a delicious backdrop for Christmas lunch, providing all those traditional Christmas flavours of sweet carrots, cranberries and fresh herbs. It is also lovely as side for BBQ’s and is quick to whip up for unexpected guests.
I have a lovely julienne vegetable peeler that gives me long skinny strips for this salad. I like the way they can be twirled around a fork. That said, I have also made this using a vegetable peeler for wide ribbons; or with a cheese grater for short and sweet pieces of carrot. I like to soak the cranberries before tossing them in the salad, it makes them plump up and delicious. Soaking them in orange juice is divine, but does make the dish a little sweet. I add a splash of vinegar to the orange juice to help balance everything out.
This carrot cranberry salad is bright and colourful as a gorgeous accompaniment to a Christmas ham or a BBQ spatchcock chicken. For vegetarians, I would add grilled haloumi where the salty combines with the sweetness for a delicious contrast.
