Gingered Carrot Salad

Fresh ginger combined with garlic-infused olive oil creates a zesty dressing for a seemingly ordinary vegetable. Poppy seeds add not only visual interest, but provide an interesting taste and texture profile. This is an excellent salad to accompany things like grilled chicken and fish but can most certainly be served alongside pork and beef. If you're short on time, remember that most grocery stores carry bags of carrots that have already been cut into matchsticks (julienned). Feel free to use either commercially bottled garlic-infused olive oil or make your own (recipe not included).

Gingered Carrot Salad

12 oz. carrots, peeled and cut into fine matchsticks

1 1-inch piece of fresh ginger root, peeled and grated

1 tbsp. poppy seeds

2 tbsp. garlic-infused olive oil

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Put the carrots in a bowl and stir in the oil and grated ginger. Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to develop.

Season the salad with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the poppy seeds just before serving.

Serves 4