Independence Salad (AIP, Whole30, Paleo)

I have been experimenting with salads and making more diversity happen, to help alleviate boredom.  This one came out tasty and pretty for the 4th of July.  Enjoy!   


Independence Salad

6 organic carrots

2/3rds cup dried unsweetened cranberries

½ lemon, end trimmed off, but not peeled
1 T cardamom (optional, omit for elimination AIP)
2 T cinnamon
1 inch segment of ginger, peeled
Pinch nutmeg (optional, omit for elimination AIP)
2 t tamarind paste
2/3 cup organic coconut shreds
Just enough water to mobilize the ingredients above in your blender

2 4.4oz box organic blueberries

1 cup organic coconut flakes

In a high speed blender, add the first 10 ingredients, chopped to the extent necessary for your blender, and blend.  In a bowl, add your rinsed blueberries and your dried organic coconut flakes.  Pour the contents of the blender over the blueberries and coconut, stir and serve.  Tasty, and super simple fruit salad to bring with you to that July 4th picnic.  Makes about 8 side servings.  

(If you have problems with coconut, omit the coconut shreds, add just a dash of oil to your blender mix, and rather than coconut flakes, pour over another dried fruit of your choice, or possibly chopped fennel bulb, as needed.  The coconut is here for texture more than flavor, so substitute as needed with that in mind.)