Written by Carol Harrison
The Canadian Produce Marketing Association (Half Your Plate folks) hired me to work on a recipe and video series and I’m delighted to share it here with you!
At about 25 cents a serving and chock-full of beta-carotene, fibre-filled carrots are always one of the best healthy buys in the grocery store so let’s see how we can make that veggie work harder for us all. Your days of wondering what else can I do with carrots are over. And I’ve got a clever storage tip to prevent your carrots from tasting bitter.
Carrots work in sweet or savoury dishes and come in handy baby carrot, crinkle cut, matchstick and grated options. Slender, firm, whole carrots with the green tops clipped off (they suck moisture from the carrot) are an easy option too. Just give them a light scrub (no need to peel) and the next time you get busy in the kitchen think, hey could I put a carrot in this? Try:
Carrots at Breakfast
- Carrot cake oatmeal (see recipe below)
- Juice, smoothie
- Pancakes, muffins
- Carrot-bell pepper hash
Carrots at Lunch
- Carrot chickpea patties (see recipe below)
- 50 Cent carrot lentil soup
- Wrap, taco, empanada, samosa
Carrots at Dinner
- Buddha bowls or main entrée salads (see recipe below)
- Beef stew, spicy curry, chilli or pasta sauce
- Sheet pan dinner, stir fry,fresh spring rolls
Carrots with Snacks
- Cold roasted carrots (see recipe below)
- Granola bars,quick breads
- Carrot hummus
Must-know clever carrot tips
pears. Stored in the original packaging, raw whole carrots will keep for 3-4 weeks in the crisper. If needed, you can revive (somewhat) wilted carrots. Put them in a bowl of ice water.Amp up the flavour of carrots with:
- Cinnamon, ginger, honey, cloves;
- Lemon, orange, apple juice, maple syrup;
- Coriander, dill, thyme, tarragon;
- Curry leaves or mint.
Raw or cooked you can’t go wrong. Cooking does help to release about 20% more beta-carotene (which we turn into vitamin A) and when paired with some fat (oil, dip, dressing or cheese) you’ll absorb more too.
Store carrots away from these foods to avoid bitter off-flavours. Keep carrots separate from apples, avocados and
Get Cooking with Carrots Video here
Full Recipes Here
BREAKFAST Carrot Cake Oatmeal
Take your oatmeal from so so good to OMG awesome (and get some veggies in at breakfast too)!
Check out the mason jar breakfast to go option.
LUNCH Quick Carrot Chickpea Patties
Somewhere between a falafel and a veggie burger, these budget-wise and tasty patties go great in a pita or in a Buddha bowl. Make ahead and freeze to have at the ready for lunches.
DINNER Carrot Kale Quinoa Power Bowl
Here’s how you pack four superfoods into one amazing dish. Slightly charred kale and sweet roasted carrots are added to beans and quinoa all topped with a lemon-tahini dressing.
SNACK Roasted Carrots and Beets
Take your roasted veggies up a notch. Toss some crumbled feta and a drizzle of vinaigrette over these roasted carrots and beets. I mean really, talk about yum! Check out the ideas for using leftovers for lunches too.
I sure hope I’ve sparked a new idea for enjoying carrots. Kindly share your fave idea here too.
Cheers
Carol
