French Grated Carrot Salad (Carottes rapées) Recipe
A fresh and vibrant French grated carrot salad featuring crisp carrots tossed with a tangy Dijon mustard vinaigrette, accented with parsley, raisins, and pine nuts for added texture and sweetness. This quick and easy salad is perfect as a light side dish or a refreshing appetizer.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) carrots, peeled and grated (about 3 ½ cups)
- 3 tbsp flat-leaf parsley, stemmed and chopped
- 2 tbsp raisins (optional)
- 2 tbsp pine nuts (optional)
Vinaigrette
- 3 tbsp (45ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp (30ml) lemon juice
- 1 tbsp (20ml) Dijon mustard
- ½ tsp fresh ground black pepper, to taste
- ½ tsp salt, to taste
Instructions
- Combine the Salad Ingredients: Place the grated carrots in a large bowl and add the chopped parsley, pine nuts, and raisins if using. This creates the base texture and flavor of the salad.
- Prepare the Vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, black pepper, and salt until the dressing is smooth and emulsified.
- Toss and Chill: Pour the vinaigrette over the carrot mixture and stir thoroughly to coat the carrots evenly. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Cover the bowl with plastic film and refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the carrots to soften slightly. Toss the salad again just before serving for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- For a nuttier flavor, lightly toast the pine nuts before adding.
- Raisins add sweetness but can be omitted if preferred.
- This salad can be prepared a few hours ahead and kept chilled; just toss again before serving.
- Adjust lemon juice and mustard quantities to taste for more tang or sharpness.
- Serve as a side dish with grilled meats or as part of a light lunch.
