Miso Ginger Carrot Salad

This salad is a refreshing and flavorful take on the classic carrot salad. The miso paste adds a savory and slightly sweet flavor, while the ginger adds a bit of spice. The rice vinegar and sesame oil add acidity and depth of flavor, and the maple syrup adds a touch of sweetness. The salad is also topped with chopped fresh cilantro and roasted peanuts, which add a bit of crunch and freshness.

This salad was inspired by a trip to Japan, where I had a similar salad at a small restaurant in Kyoto. I was so impressed by the flavor combination that I decided to recreate it at home. I experimented with different ingredients and proportions until I came up with this recipe. I've been making it ever since, and it's always a hit with my friends and family.

Prep time: 15 | Cook time: 0 | Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 4 large carrots, julienned
• 2 tablespoons white miso paste
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/4 cup chopped roasted peanuts
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, whisk together miso paste, ginger, rice vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce, and maple syrup.
2. Add the julienned carrots to the bowl and toss to coat them evenly with the dressing.
3. Let the salad marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
4. Before serving, sprinkle the chopped cilantro and roasted peanuts over the salad.
5. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
6. Enjoy the refreshing and flavorful miso ginger carrot salad!

Why It Works

• The miso paste adds a savory and slightly sweet flavor to the salad.
• The ginger adds a bit of spice to the salad.
• The rice vinegar and sesame oil add acidity and depth of flavor to the salad.
• The maple syrup adds a touch of sweetness to the salad.
• The chopped fresh cilantro and roasted peanuts add a bit of crunch and freshness to the salad.