Jessica Alba Shares 'New Obssession' Retinol Carrot Salad, Says 'Wow, 10 Out Of 10'

This year has seen carrots being hailed as a salad hero. It all started with chef and content creator Cassie Yeung, who shared a carrot ribbon salad on TikTok that went viral. It got so popular that even actor Jessica Alba posted a video sharing her take on this recipe.

The craze for single-ingredient salads has been super high and can be seen with content creator Logan Moffitt finding fame as “the cucumber guy”. He made a name for himself on TikTok and later on Instagram for his simple yet addictive cucumber salad recipes made in deli containers.

However, for the unversed, the carrot and the cucumber salad recipes, respectively, find their roots in traditional South Asian cuisines.

The carrot salad recipes can be traced back to the Morkovcha,

which is a Korean carrot salad. It is a popular dish in post-Soviet countries. This salad was created by the Koryo-saram (ethnic Koreans who were deported to Central Asia), when they adapted their traditional recipes using locally available ingredients like carrots instead of napa cabbage for kimchi.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jessica Alba (@jessicaalba)

Health Benefits of Carrots 

Carrots shine as a winter superfood. They are packed with beta-carotene that converts to vitamin A, boosting immunity to fend off colds and flu prevalent in chilly months. These vegetables are high in vitamin C and antioxidants, which strengthen the body’s defences against infections. They are also high in fibre content and aid digestion, preventing constipation from heavier winter meals.

Beta-carotene in carrots can support eye health during the shorter winter days while also reducing the risk of night blindness. Winter times are hard on the skin, and including carrots in your diet will promote glowing skin despite dry weather.

Carrots are low in calories while being super hydrating, as they are made up of 88% water. Eating carrots can curb cravings, thus aiding in weight management. They can regulate blood sugar, as they have a low glycaemic index. Potassium helps control blood pressure, and anti-fungal properties protect against seasonal issues.

Recipe to make the carrot ribbon salad

Ingredients:

1 Carrot, sliced into ribbons
Small bunch of cilantro, Chopped
Small bunch of scallions, Chopped
1 Jicama, Sliced
1 Radish, Sliced
A handful of roasted cashews, Chopped

For the dressing:
1/2 piece of Ginger, grated
A few cloves of Garlic, grated
Half an orange, Juiced
Half a lime, Juiced
3 tbs – sesame oil
1.5 tbsp – rice wine vinegar
1.5 tbsp – soy sauce
1 tbsp – maple syrup
Garlic chili crunch, to taste

Not wanting to complicate the recipe of this easy-to-make salad, Jessica dumped all the chopped vegetables in a huge bowl. Giving it a quick toss, she then moved on to making the dressing, which again was super easy to make. In a small glass jar, Jessica added all the ingredients to make the dressing. She closed the lid and gave it a quick shake till all the ingredients came together. Give it a taste and see if the dressing is to your liking, and fix anything, if needed. Toss the dressing into the bowl with the vegetables, and again, give it a quick mix to ensure all of them are covered in that tangy sauce. Eat and enjoy.