Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Catalina Carrots


 There is a very old recipe which has cycled in and out of popularity over the years called Copper Pennies. It is a salad made with thinly sliced carrots (pennies) along with onion and bell pepper and dressed with a sweet and tangy tomatoey dressing.

Most recipes I have seen for Copper Pennies use canned tomato soup along with a LOT of sugar and the carrots are literally swimming in dressing.

This recipe is reminiscent of that but I have taken a slight curve from the original. I used carrots only and dressed them lightly in a homemade Catalina dressing. I loved Catalina dressing as a kid and recently discovered after not eating it for years that I still love it.



Pritchard Parker came home from one of his thrift shop adventures with a small crinkle cutter so I decided to try it out. I cut a few slices before I thought to myself, "Since you are going to steam these carrots anyway, wouldn't be easier to cut them afterwards?" 

I put 4 large carrots in the microwave for 4 minutes only and they were as tender as I wanted them. And yes indeed, they were much easier to slice with the rather dull cutter. After they are steamed and sliced, dress them lightly in Catalina dressing.  If you have time, chill before serving.



Catalina Dressing
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup catsup
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup canola oil
1 small onion, grated

Combine all ingredients in a jar. Shake until well blended.

This dressing is good on all lettuce salads and also delicious on a turkey and Swiss cheese sandwich.


6 comments:

  1. Love the dressing! I don't like to purchase bottled, so this will come in handy. Sometimes one needs another dressing and this one will please children with the tangy taste and bright color. Maybe I will add carrot sald for this Sunday's dinner.....

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  2. Melynda, I sure loved it as a kid. Let me know if your family likes it. As always, thanks for your visit and your comment.

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  3. I haven't made this in a while. Thanks for jogging my memory. Need to make it again soon!

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  4. You're welcome, Rosie. It is the only kind of jogging I do. Thank you for your comment.

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  5. We did have these for Sunday Cafe, they are great! My husband loves them. We like having lots of different pickled or prepared vegetables ready to eat with a sandwich or add to a quick meal for those "tired" nights. These really fill the bill. I had those "copper pennies" from years ago, and once was all it took.

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  6. I saw them on your beautiful table. I'm glad you enjoyed them. Thanks.

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