From my mother-in-law

Let's talk about salads. I am sure a lot of you started thinking green salad, Caesar salad, yeah, yeah, yeah. It's time to start thinking about salads in a new way. There doesn't always have to be lettuce involved. I like to make salads that are heavier on the vegetables. In our house there are not a lot of fans of cooked or steamed veggies. The plate of raw cut up veggies gets a little tiresome as well. I am always on the look out for new ways to do raw veg.

My mother-in-law was out for a visit a while ago and had a recipe for a carrot mango salad with honey lime dressing in her arsenal. Sounded good on all fronts. When I started taking photos she was excited about her recipe making it on the blog, and here it is!

Ingredients:
3 large carrots
1 mango
1/2 cup thinly sliced green onion (about 4) 
1/2 cup coarsely chopped dry roasted peanuts (optional)
1/4 cup raisins 
2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro
1 teaspoon grated lime zest
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons liquid honey (Big D's is local and delicious)
1/4 teaspoon each salt and freshly ground black pepper 
1/4 cup olive oil

Directions:

1. Coarsely grate carrots into a large bowl (I know I hate doing this too). Peel and finely chop mango and add to carrots with the green onion, peanuts, raisins and cilantro. Mix gently.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together lime zest and juice, honey, salt and pepper. Slowly add the oil, whisking constantly, until dressing emulsifies.
3. Pour dressing over carrot mixture and toss gently. Let rest for 15 minutes and serve.  Adapted from here.

Scrumptious. A great way to get in some vegetables and fruit. We served it with fish, grilled asparagus and new potatoes. 

I love how recipes can be shared, traded and collected. Every time I make this I will be reminded of Jane's visit and how it was the catalyst for my in-laws impending move from Edmonton to here, closer to us and our growing family.  How awesome is that?