#FlashbackFriday with this simple salad that is perfect for lunches. I grew up loving sweet and creamy carrot and raisin salad. My mom would make this simple, refreshing summer salad packed with fresh, juicy shredded carrots, plump raisins and a sweet creamy dressing every summer. I am pretty sure I am the only person in my family other than my mom who loved it, but, I did and would ask for it all the time.
I was recently reminded of this salad when I was browsing one of my old Weight Watchers Ultimate CORE Cookbooks and thought, ohhhh, it’s been so long since I’ve had that. I adapted my mom’s recipe and put a spin on the “too healthy” version in my cookbook to create this grown up version of Creamy Carrot and Raisin Salad with Chicken.
The key to making this salad incredibly tasty is to shred your own carrots, but, feel free to save time and buy the pre-grated carrots in a bag. I decided to make this salad a meal by adding in some chicken (I used rotisserie), brightening it up with lemon and lightening it up with 0% Greek yogurt with just a little mayo to add flavor without the fat. The sweet pecans add another layer of sweet crunch and I think adding a pinch of fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme would make this taste like a holiday salad.
Want it a little sweeter ~ add in a can of crushed pineapple, drained.
Serve this up on a sandwich or toss it over mixed greens for one deliciously healthy meal!
CHICKEN, CARROT, RAISIN SALAD (Print it!)
INGREDIENTS
- 1/3 cup 0% Greek Yogurt
- 2 Tbsp fat free or low fat mayonnaise
- 2 Tbsp Agave Nectar
- 1 Tbsp lemon zest
- 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice (about 1/2 a lemon)
- 3 cups carrots, shredded
- 1/2 cup green onions, diced
- 6 oz cooked chicken breast, diced
- 1/3 cup raisins*
- Sea salt and black pepper to taste
- 4 Tbsp dry roasted pecans, chopped
- 8 cups mixed greens
* To make this 100% Simply Filling, substitute 1 cup sliced red grapes for the raisins, omit the agave and the pecans. This would reduce the WWFreestyle Smartpoints to 1 per serving. (Count 5 WPA for agave, nuts & raisins if using Simply Filling.)
INSTRUCTIONS
1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the yogurt, mayonnaise, agave nectar, lemon zest and juice,sea salt, and pepper.
2. Add the carrots, chicken, green onions and raisins to the dressing; toss to coat.
3. Divide the mixed greens evenly among 4 plates. Top with 1 heaping cup of the creamy chicken, carrot, raisin salad and sprinkle each plate with 1 Tbsp pecans. Enjoy!
Makes 4 salads (1 heaping cup Chicken, Carrot, Raisin Salad), 6 WWFreestyle Smartpoints, 6 points+ each
Nutritional Information per serving for all ingredients:
I am off to see my hair dresser and chat up the night. Catch up with you all tomorrow with another Simply Filling Day.
Night all!
I did my first week of simply filling. I lost 5lbs!!!
Needless to say, I’m sticking with this. 🙂
Thanks for the recipe. It looks DELISH.
WTG Yvonne!!!! I am so proud of you. Keep up the great work.
Danica
Thanks! 🙂
How many points plus is this?
HI KT,
It is 6 point+ per heaping cup.
Danica
I love, love, love carrot salad. Thank you for giving me a simply filling recipe for it. Cant’ wait to try it. Your story is such an inspiration to me. With the help of your site I may finally be able to get this never ending battle under control. Thank you.
HI Danica,
I have been considering switching plans and have been getting ideas from your site. I found this article and some of the items (Ground Turkey, Canadian Bacon, Pork) have been removed from the list. Not sure if they updated the power list or if this article is older than the list.
http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=106451&sc=3002
Hi Joy,
Thanks for asking. You know the first week I switched over I came across that article too and it completely confused me. I did a little research and what I learned is that there are Power Foods and there are Filling Foods. Not all Power Foods are Filling Foods. Power Foods factor in all health and nutritional information based on a a formula derived from the USDA requirements balancing out sodium, fat, carbs, protein, fat, fiber. All the things you should have on a regular basis.
Filling Foods are foods that are designed to give you the most satisfaction and are nutritionally sound. They do not really factor in sodium I believe. I know that the Simply Filling Plan was derived from the original CORE plan based on fillings foods that did not allow for people to overeat. Through the process they learned that avocados and olives could be overeaten so they removed those. They also took off the requirement that allowed you to have cereal and 1 whole grain a day. They added in lite breads which were never part of the CORE plan.
I also found this article that explains what is in the Simply Filling Technique and that is what I am going off of along with my online tracker and WW books that show the “green” triangle. http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=65271&sc=3002
Does all of that help make sense? I think really that Weight Watchers should provide an explanation of the difference in that article but since it is not date stamped I am not sure when it was written.
Danica
I will be making this soon! Danica and Yvonne – your results are making me think about looking at the Simply Filling plan a little more closely! Congrats
I’ve been so tired of lettuce salads and this looks too good to pass up. I too am going Simply Filling after being inspired by you. I’m not quite finished with my first week but the weight is already coming off… Keep up the great work……Your Fan from Wisconsin
What can be used instead of agave nectar? Also I never could find the harvest grain mix recipe. Am I just over-looking it? Btw-I’m really enjoying your blog!
Hi Regina,
You could use honey or sugar for the agave nectar. I will post a link on how to make the Harvest rain Mix on your other comment.
Danica
I keep looking but all I see is the Harvest Grain Salad recipe and link to where the Harvest Grain blend recipe should be but alas no recipe for the blend. I would love that recipe as Trader Joe’s is long drive from where I live- as much as I love it I just don’t want to drive that far. 🙂 Thanks!
Hi Regina,
Here you go:
1. This is to make the mix using Trader Joe’s Harvest Grain Blend. http://danicasdaily.com/recipage?recipe_id=6016537
2. This is to make the salad with making your own Harvest Grain Blend. http://danicasdaily.com/a-must-try-harvest-grain-mix-my-weekly-menu
Enjoy!
Danica