I can’t believe that summer is nearly over already! It’s been a crazy few months around my house because, although I only have one child, I do have a number of part-time jobs and projects that take over my time and balancing them with wanting to enjoy the summer with a 10 year old can be challenging.

In honor of it still being summer, I will finally post this salad after making it countless times. It’s inspired by a chipotle coleslaw that a friend of mine introduced me to many years ago. I lost that recipe, but I never lost the love for the creamy, spicy, tangy sauce. What I love about using carrots here is the sweetness that they bring to the dish. They act as the perfect counterpoint to the spicy chipotle.

And then there’s the jicama. If you’ve never tried jicama, I highly recommend it. I should have posted a picture with a whole one so you can imagine it if you’ve never seen it. You find it in the produce section and it looks like a fairly large roundish ball wrapped in brown paper. Think of a big, round potato or turnip with thicker skin that you need to peel. It is, in fact, a tuber from South America and can be cooked, although I’ve found that I much prefer it raw. I love it on veggie trays and have even used thin slices as a bread replacement. It’s juicy and refreshing, but not in the way that an orange is. It won’t drip down your chin or make juice or anything, but it will taste delicious on a hot summer day.

So this salad…I love it so much that it is among the most frequently made in my house. Crisp, juicy, sweet, spicy, citrusy – you name it, this salad brings it together. It is perfect next to grilled meat of any kind and when I have left overs, I will sometimes throw in a can of tuna or some cooked chicken and call it lunch. You have to be the judge when it comes to adding the chipotle, though. I like it spicy and will vary the recipe depending on my mood. Start with half of what the recipe calls for and then add more until your taste buds are happy. I’ve been known to add quite a bit more.

Here’s to the final weeks of summer, friends and BBQs, salads any time, and delicious food!

Carrot-Jicama Chipotle Slaw

1 1/2 lb. jicama

6 medium carrots, about 1 lb.

1 large handful of cilantro, about 1/3 c. chopped

1/4 c. Paleo Mayonnaise

Juice from 1 large lime, about 1/4 c.

2 chipotle peppers in adobo with most (but not all) seeds removed

1 tsp. salt

Directions

1. Using a food processor or box grater, shred the jicama and carrots and place in a large bowl.
2. Add the cilantro.
3. In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, lime juice, chipotle peppers and salt. You can also put the ingredients into a blender or Magic Bullet and give it a whirl.
4. Toss the dressing with the slaw, taking time to get everything well integrated, and then taste to adjust seasonings. You can add more of any of the sauce ingredients to satisfy your taste.
5. Let the flavors meld for about 10 minutes and then taste again, adding a little extra salt if necessary.
6. Enjoy!