Friday, February 11, 2011

Moroccan Carrot & Fennel Slaw (my un-French Friday offering)

Today is another French Friday with Dorie, and that means I was supposed to have made and posted her orange and almond tart from Around my French Table. But the thing is, I just couldn't face making another dessert. I know, I know - I may be the only XX chromosome creature on the planet who doesn't get all that excited about sweets, but there you have it. And so close to Valentine's Day - it's positively un-American of me! (In my defense, I recently had to taste about 20 gourmet chocolates for work, and I am sick to death of sugar. Cue sad violins.)

And so instead of a tart I have what you may consider a poor substitute, but I assure you it is not: A Moroccan carrot slaw, which I served with the excellent chicken b'stilla from a few French Fridays ago.  I suggest making it several hours ahead to let the flavors come together.

Here's what you do: Grate 3 or 4 carrots and cut one fennel bulb into strips.  Add 1 -2 minced garlic cloves and a handful of chopped cilantro. To this, add an extra virgin olive oil and fresh squeezed orange juice vinaigrette - just enough to coat. Season with salt, pepper, sweet paprika and a dash of cumin, and top with slivered almonds. It's a crunchy and refreshing foil to any main course.

I definitely plan to be back for French Fridays next week - and just because I didn't make the tart, doesn't mean I don't want to check out everyone's lovely creations! Check them all out here, and in the meantime, Happy (un) French Friday!
at

26 comments:

  1. Emily MalloyFebruary 11, 2011 at 11:19 AM

    Yummooo! I adore Moroccan food!

    ReplyDelete
  2. MiriamFebruary 11, 2011 at 11:42 AM

    Imagine I've never eaten fennel in my life... and I see it very often lately. I must try it. Beautiful shot!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Deana SidneyFebruary 11, 2011 at 11:55 AM

    This would be perfect with my Persian chicken... what an under-represented cuisine. Love carrots in a salad and no guilt when you eat them. Gorgeous pic, Trix!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Evelyne CulturEatzFebruary 11, 2011 at 12:16 PM

    Just because your salad looks really good and because I am a fan of fennel bulb I'll let your missed dessert presentation slide ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Trevor Sis BoomFebruary 11, 2011 at 12:37 PM

    Oh Trix I'm just a lovin' this slaw and it looks so beautiful. As for the tart, eh. My tart reminded me of my ex boyfriend. A bit too fussy and takes forever to get ready.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Trevor Sis BoomFebruary 11, 2011 at 12:39 PM

    P.S. Check out one of my exotic fav slaws to make. Its great yet did not receive one single comment from the gallery!
    http://www.sisboomblog.com/2010/07/salad-days-of-summer-indonesian-salad.html

    ReplyDelete
  7. Belinda @zomppaFebruary 11, 2011 at 12:59 PM

    It's gorgeous! Don't use fennel often, but will have to try this...or maybe just stare at it for a while, it's so pretty.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Island VittlesFebruary 11, 2011 at 1:18 PM

    Everyone knows about the Moroccan influences on French cuisine, don't they? Which of course means that this salad is as French as any offering Dorie may have.

    Oh, and you can add me to the list of women who prefer savoury -- perhaps we're not so rare after all! Theresa

    PS -- your Gnocchi Parisienne make a fabulous 2 nd course for my Fantasy Valentine's dinner based on choux!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Jhonny walkerFebruary 11, 2011 at 1:56 PM

    Trix..long time no see. But then what a way to meet over Moroccon food. I guess I need some soon :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Whats Cookin Italian Style CuisineFebruary 11, 2011 at 3:16 PM

    What a awesome striking picture love the colors and the presentation of this dish is awesome nice job Trix!

    ReplyDelete
  11. KellyFebruary 11, 2011 at 3:27 PM

    You and your HARD job! Twenty chocolate of anything would NOT deter me from dessert, no matter what! Pass that bowl of sugar, sister!
    *This salad looks good, really, it does!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Kate @ Diethood.comFebruary 11, 2011 at 3:29 PM

    Well I think that this is a delicious substitute.
    I love the photo!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Cheryl and Adam @pictureperfectmeals.comFebruary 11, 2011 at 4:06 PM

    Love fennel and combined with the other flavors it's incredibly good! This is simply great!

    ReplyDelete
  14. UnknownFebruary 12, 2011 at 1:00 AM

    Next time you have to taste chocolate for work (or for whatever reason, really), pass some over to me as I'll be only too glad to help. My mum told me a long time ago that she might have passed her chocolate gene (did you know it exists?) on to me! This carrot and fennel slaw is serenely beautiful, you made a great choice passing up the tart for this.

    ReplyDelete
  15. BetsyFebruary 12, 2011 at 5:58 PM

    I have a dessert gene, but not the chocolate gene. This slaw looks great though. I'm definitely going to try your recipe.

    ReplyDelete
  16. DrickFebruary 12, 2011 at 7:31 PM

    hey, I think I prefer your slaw anyway...

    ReplyDelete
  17. veggietestkitchenFebruary 12, 2011 at 7:37 PM

    wow, your work sounds fun! this slaw looks fantastic. I am eager to try it. thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Fresh Local and BestFebruary 12, 2011 at 11:58 PM

    This looks like a wonderful side dish to accompany a Moroccan chicken dish.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Sylvie @ Gourmande in the KitchenFebruary 13, 2011 at 5:55 AM

    I just love the combination of cumin and carrots. This sounds like a nice crisp clean salad, a welcome change from all those heavy winter meals.

    ReplyDelete
  20. FrankFebruary 13, 2011 at 10:31 AM

    This sounds right up my alley. Beautiful fresh flavors and colors. And not too sweet. I don't have much of a sweet tooth, really, but then I am a XY chromosome creature after all...

    ReplyDelete
  21. SanjanaFebruary 13, 2011 at 12:16 PM

    I'm loving all these purple potato recipes. I make a mean veggie shepherds pie with soya mince so will be using purple spuds next time- they look fab!

    ReplyDelete
  22. penny aka jeroxieFebruary 13, 2011 at 5:35 PM

    Looks fresh and healthy. I don't mind this salad at all. It is a good subsitute!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Brie: Le Grand FromageFebruary 14, 2011 at 9:10 AM

    i love how healthy foods can be so simple, elegant, and delicious. you're always welcome to make desserts and i'll take the burden of eating them for you. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  24. StellaFebruary 14, 2011 at 6:56 PM

    I sometimes can't get myself to make sweets either, Trix. It's like I really want them or not at all. This carrot salad looks delicious, and I know it is. My Algerian family used to make one very similar. Yum yum!

    ReplyDelete
  25. My Little SpaceFebruary 15, 2011 at 7:16 PM

    The combination simply gorgeous and refreshing! Thanks.
    Kristy

    ReplyDelete
  26. StephFebruary 21, 2011 at 7:15 PM

    This slaw looks so vibrant and enticing!!

    ReplyDelete