If you are using finely shredded carrots, you can skip this step. But if you’re using thicker, pre-shredded carrots, place the carrots in a plastic bag or a microwave-safe bowl and steam them for 1-2 minutes to soften slightly.
Chop the cilantro and peanuts into a very fine dice. I use my trusty Kuhn Rikon pull chop which I love and it works on all of these equally well.
In a medium bowl, combine the carrots, cilantro, peanuts, salt and sugar.
In the smallest little heatproof bowl you have, or a tadka ladle, heat the oil until it is hot and shimmering.
Place the mustard and/or cumin seeds in the bowl and allow them to sputter like popcorn about 30 seconds.
Add in the turmeric and stir quickly.
Pour this hot, flavored oil over the carrots and mix well.
You now have two choices. You can either mix in lemon juice into this salad, or you can mix in yogurt. Chill and serve.
Carrot Salad Tips And Tricks
This salad tastes great the first day but it is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING the next day!
If you want to take this salad to a picnic or have no refrigeration, you can use the lemon juice so that you don’t have anything with dairy in it
I also prefer to use lemon juice if I don’t think we can finish all the salad in one day as it keeps a little better.
The yogurt version is absolutely perfect for a hot summer day and can provide a wonderful cooling effect (especially with a spicy meal).
I like to use Red Spanish peanuts but if you can't find those, just use regular roasted peanuts.
If you're not sure how to do the hot oil technique, watch THIS VIDEO to see how I did it for the cabbage slaw.
Variations:
Carrot Raisin Salad. I know people love carrot raisin salads. While not traditional, there is absolutely no reason why you can’t add some raisings into this carrot slaw! Just soak the raisins ahead of time to let them plump up, and then add to the salad when mixing it all.
Cabbage Carrot Slaw. You can also make a cabbage carrot slaw by using 2 cups of cabbage and 1 cup of shredded carrots, or you can use half carrots and half cabbage if you prefer.
Broccoli Carrot Slaw. Similarly, you can make Broccoli Carrot slaw with shreds of raw broccoli.
Apple Carrot Slaw. For an Apple Carrot Salad, you will need to use the lemon juice, and I would also plan to eat the salad that very day, else the apple will turn brown and bitter. If you’re making an apple carrot salad definitely put in raisins.
Add Seeds. Sunflower seeds or pepitas will also make a great addition to this Indian Carrot slaw.