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Carrot Apple Salad with Cranberries and Mandarin Recipe

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A refreshing and sweet-tart Carrot Apple Salad featuring crisp apples, matchstick carrots, dried cranberries, and mandarin segments all tossed in a creamy vanilla yogurt and mayo dressing, perfect as a light side dish or snack.

  • Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

Fruits & Vegetables

  • 1 red delicious apple
  • 1 granny smith apple
  • 2 cups matchstick carrots (precooked or fresh)
  • 1/4 cup yellow onion, finely diced
  • 1 cup canned mandarin segments, drained

Dressing & Seasoning

  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1/3 cup dried sweetened cranberries
  • 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Apples: Cut both the red delicious and granny smith apples into matchstick-sized pieces and place them in a bowl.
  2. Coat with Lemon Juice: Pour the lemon juice over the apple pieces and toss well to coat all the pieces evenly, which helps prevent browning.
  3. Let Apples Soak: Set the bowl aside and allow the apples to soak in the lemon juice for at least 5 minutes to fully absorb the juice and maintain their color.
  4. Mix Vegetables and Cranberries: In a large mixing bowl, add the matchstick carrots, finely diced yellow onion, and dried sweetened cranberries.
  5. Add Apples to the Bowl: Once the apples have soaked, transfer them to the large mixing bowl with vegetables and cranberries.
  6. Add Dressing Ingredients: Add the vanilla yogurt and mayonnaise to the bowl along with sugar, salt, and pepper.
  7. Combine Thoroughly: Stir all the ingredients together until the dressing is well distributed and the salad is evenly coated.
  8. Add Mandarin Segments: Gently fold in the drained mandarin segments to the salad.
  9. Chill Salad: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least three hours to allow flavors to meld and the salad to chill.
  10. Serve: After chilling, serve the salad cold and enjoy your refreshing Carrot Apple Salad.

Notes

  • For crispest results, use freshly cut matchstick carrots or store-bought precut carrots.
  • Adjust sugar amount based on preferred sweetness, especially considering the sweetness of vanilla yogurt and dried cranberries.
  • Lemon juice not only prevents browning but adds a bright tang to complement creamy dressing.
  • Refrigerating the salad enhances flavors and texture; do not skip chilling time.
  • Can be prepared a day in advance and kept covered in the fridge.
  • Author: Olivia
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Find it online: https://iamstarved.com/carrot-apple-salad-with-cranberries-and-mandarin-recipe/