Rainbow carrot & beetroot salad

I love the jewel-like colours of this super simple salad.  The zingyness of the lemon juice and mustard contrasts beautifully with the earthiness of the beetroot.  We had it on a bed of dressed green leaves and avocado yesterday in the garden for lunch, with the super simple butterbean salad I just posted.  Because of the antioxidant power of the lemon juice, mustard and olive oil, this salad keeps for up to 2 days in the fridge.  do make sure to add the lemon juice dressing immediately you have grated the carrot and beetroot, otherwise they oxidise and go brown.

 

 

 

4 medium carrots, peeled or scraped
1-2 small raw beetroot, peeled
2 small spring onions or 1 tbsp chopped red onion
1 level tsp mustard, ideally Dijon, but English or wholegrain would do
1 tbs lemon juice
1 tbs extra virgin olive oil
Pinch of Himalayan salt or Atlantic sea salt
Black pepper
Optional health boost: 2 tbsp chopped parsley

1. First make the dressing by mixing in a large bowl the mustard, juice, olive oil, salt and 10 good grinds of black pepper.  2. Now slice the onion and grate the carrots and beetroot and add to the bowl.  Mix well and serve with some green salad and whatever protein you are eating – lean meat, fish, eggs, beans/pulses.

Why this recipe is good for you:
Beetroot is high in the chromium and betaine, nutrients that help your body process the natural sugars in the beet.  In processed sugar, where sugar beets are stripped of their nutrients, all you get is the sweetness, without the chromium and betaine your liver needs to get rid of it harmlessly.  Carrots and beets, like all root veg, are high in carbs so take the place of potatoes or bread in a meal.  Carrots are a great source of beta carotene.  This helps liver function, gives your skin a golden glow, and is a powerful antioxidant, helping protect your skin and eyes from UV or age-related damage.  Mustard, lemon juice and olive oil are also rich in antioxidants that help you maintain beautiful, clear skin.  Extra virgin olive oil is also rich in vitamin E, which moisturises your skin from within.  Healthy skin does not need body moisturiser.   Virgin olive oil, eaten raw, also aids long term weight loss when added to your daily diet.  Piperine in black pepper helps your digestive system absorb nutrient minerals.