When Bugs Bunny ate them, they were always whole and rarely seasoned. But today, we learn about a special vinaigrette that's made with carrots as the main ingredient. Author and Cooking Light columnist Rozanne Gold told Tonia's Kitchen about her Carrot Vinaigrette that's absolutely scrumptious. She takes diced carrots, onions, orange juice (freshly squeezed if possible). Rozanne adds honey, rice vinegar and ginger along with a small amount of oil oil, and blends together in a food processor. She says you can pour it over almost anything. Try it over strawberries, and then wonder why ol' Bugs didn't think of this first!
1/4 cup grated carrot
3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
2 tablespoons finely chopped onion or shallots, divided
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
4 teaspoons rice vinegar, divided
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon minced peeled fresh ginger
3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
4 ounces baby arugula (about 6 cups loosely packed)
1 cup quartered cherry tomatoes
1 large red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon dark sesame oil
4 (6-ounce) fresh or frozen sustainable salmon fillets (such as wild Alaskan)
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Preparation
1. Combine carrot, orange juice, 1 tablespoon onion, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 teaspoons rice vinegar, honey, ginger, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a mini food processor; process 1 minute or until well combined.
2. Place arugula, tomatoes, and bell pepper in a large bowl. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon onion, 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil, remaining 2 teaspoons vinegar, and sesame oil; toss well. Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt; toss well.
3. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle fish with remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and black pepper. Add remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add fish to pan, skin side down; cook 6 minutes or until skin is browned and crisp. Turn fish over; cook 2 minutes or until desired degree of doneness. Arrange 1 1/2 cups salad on each of 4 plates; top each serving with 1 fillet and 2 tablespoons vinaigrette.
