Colorful, Delicious and Easy? Check! This salad takes a winter veggie and makes it salad – How fun is that! Here’s a side for any holiday meal that comes together quickly and is super flavorful. Try it with any roasted meat to add a fresh and bright flavor to your table.

Slightly sweet and definitely spicy, Garam Masala is a luscious and warming ingredient for almost any dish we prepare at this chilly time of the year. Made from a combo of interesting spices, you can find this once obscure spice blend in almost any grocery store now. You probably know that Cardamom, Cinnamon, Cloves, Bay Leaves and Black Pepper are full of good-for-us nutrition – and they are just a few of the ingredients contained in the many recipes for Garam Masala.

Did you know that one sweet potato provides above and beyond the Vitamin A you need in a day? They are naturally sweet and contain compounds called carotenoids which give them their rich, orange color. Purple grapes contain resveratrol. It is a key nutrient that offers many health benefits. And those grapes are also a good source of fiber and potassium.

Sweet Potato and Red Grape Salad

• 1/4 Cup Olive Oil Mayonnaise
• 1/4 Cup Nonfat Plain Yogurt
• 2 TB Orange Juice
• 2 TB Orange Zest
• 1/2 Tsp Garam Masala, (find this warm-tasting and delicious spice blend in the spice section of your grocery store)
• 1 Cup Grated Carrot
• 1/2 Cup Chopped Celery or Fennel
• 6 Cups Chopped Roasted Sweet Potatoes***
• 1 Cup Red Seedless Grapes, Halved
• ½ Cup Chopped Dates
• 1/2 Cup Chopped Toasted Walnuts

Step One

Mix mayonnaise, yogurt, orange juice, orange zest and Garam Masala in a small bowl to blend. (You can prepare this dressing up to a day ahead of time)

Step Two

On a platter, using tongs, toss the grated carrot, diced celery, halved grapes and chopped dates. Add dressing to salad and toss. Remember to add have of the dressing and then more as needed. Sprinkle salad with sweet potatoes and walnuts and serve.

** To Roast the sweet potatoes, spread the chopped potatoes on a baking sheet, toss with 2 TB olive oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper and 1Tsp garam masala. Roast in a 400F oven for about 30 minutes or until the sweet potatoes are browned.