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Mediterranean Carrot Salad





Yields
Makes 4 servings

When chef Bill Briwa (chef-instructor at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in Napa Valley) prepares this spicy dish, inspired by cookbook author Paula Wolfert, he purées the carrots; the soft mixture absorbs the seasonings well. We've sliced the carrots instead, for a dish with interesting form and textures. Prep and Cook Time: about 20 minutes. Notes: You can find harissa--a hot chile paste--in well-stocked supermarkets.

 2 pounds carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
 3 cloves garlic, peeled
 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
 3 tablespoons cider vinegar
 2 teaspoons ground caraway seeds
 1 teaspoon harissa
  Salt
 1/2 cup kalamata olives
 2/3 cup crumbled feta cheese (4 oz.)
Step 1
1

Combine carrots, garlic cloves, and about 1/2 cup water in a medium pan over high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer until carrots are just tender when pierced, 4 to 5 minutes. Drain.

Step 2
2

Meanwhile, in a glass measure, mix olive oil, vinegar, caraway, and harissa. Mash the cooked garlic cloves with a fork and whisk into dressing. Pour over warm carrots and mix gently to coat. Add salt to taste. Let cool to room temperature.

Step 3
3

Mound carrot mixture onto plates and surround with kalamata olives and feta cheese.

Step 4
4

Wine pairing: Peppery Syrah, with solid dark fruit, herb, and olive flavors. Best in our pairing: Stolpman 2003 (Santa Ynez Valley, CA; $25), Syncline Milbrandt Vineyard 2004 (Columbia Valley, WA; $22), and Qupé 2004 (Central Coast, CA; $16).

Step 5
5

Flavor bridges: Bitterness in wine can balance sweetness in carrots, or, as chef Briwa puts it, "Bitterness can make things taste grown-up." The olive flavors you can find in a Syrah do it for this dish; herbal notes keep step with the caraway. Deep, concentrated fruit flavors in the wine soften the spicy harissa.

Step 6
6

Note: Nutritional analysis is per serving.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 0

Amount Per Serving
Calories 316Calories from Fat 63
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 22g34%

Saturated Fat 6.4g32%
Cholesterol 25mg9%
Sodium 698mg30%
Total Carbohydrate 26g9%

Dietary Fiber 7.4g30%
Protein 6.5g13%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.