Carrot Apple Salad (aka Bunny Salad)

Disclaimer: This carrot apple salad does not, in fact, contain any bunnies. Nor is it meant to be served to real bunnies. Nope. Uh-uh. No. Way. They get none of this goodness, for I am at war with those vile cotton-tailed little munch monsters. Those adorable bandits feast in my gardens, devouring my hostas, rose bushes, and what’s left of the black-eyed Susans (apparently those are especially delicious). Can you believe they sit not 10 feet from the front steps, taunting me with their brazen gluttony? No amount of yelling or clapping scares them off. Instead, they sit there placidly, often chewing a leaf frond hanging from their little mouths. It’s like there’s a sign  — FREE SALAD BAR. ALL YOU CAN EAT. — and *I* am the unwelcome patron. {it’s an outrage, really}

So, who IS this carrot apple salad for? It’s is for anyone who loves sweet and crunch together. Carrots, apples, celery, and raisins mingle happily amidst a light cole slaw dressing, dazzling any plate with its color and crunch. See?

I gobbled it up Saturday night alongside a pulled BBQ  chicken sandwich and cucumber salad. A perfect, easy-going Saturday night supper:

Then, not being able to quite help myself, I layered it ON TOP of the pulled BBQ chicken sandwich at lunch yesterday. Double Yum. I may have a layering problem.

Carrot apple salad is best if made at least an hour ahead of meal time, to allow the dressing to work its magic on all the different ingredients. Carrots get sweeter, raisins plump up, and the celery is sweet yet still crunchy. Pair this with pulled BBQ chicken sandwiches and you’ll literally have NOTHING to do at supper time but put things on the table and EAT! That’s my kind of mealtime.

Now, you get this started, while I work on a plan to rid my yard of my little furry friends. Bowling for Bunnies, anyone? {evil laugh}

Carrot Apple Salad
Serves 6

Prep time: 15 minutes     Cook time: zero

salad:
2 and 1/2 cups grated carrots (3 large carrots)
1 to 1 and 1/2 cups diced sweet apple (I used 1 large Gala apple)
1 cup raisins
1 large stalk celery, diced
apple slices for garnish, if desired

low fat cole slaw dressing:
3/4 cup low fat mayonnaise
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon celery salt
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard

Whisk the dressing ingredients together (mayonnaise through dry mustard) in a small bowl; set aside. In a medium bowl, combine the carrots, apple, raisins, and celery. Pour desired amount of dressing over the mixture, and toss lightly until thoroughly combined. Cover and chill for at least one hour. Transfer to serving dish; garnish with apple slices and chopped celery if desired.

Store any leftover dressing in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

ENJOY!