Creative Carrots

Table of contents

• British Carrots - Go Back To Your Roots!
• New Ways With Carrots
• Cracking Carrot Combos
• Kids Love Carrots!

British Carrots - Go Back To Your Roots!

Steamed, boiled, roasted, stir-fried, braised, microwaved carrots have so many different flavours, depending on how they are prepared. Used in both sweet and savoury dishes, the humble carrot can give a salad that extra crunch, or provide a melt in the mouth sweetness giving depth to any meat dish.
Carrots are available all year round and are one of the most versatile vegetables. They are also packed full of nutrients and vitamins - one of the reasons they're such a popular ingredient for juicing. They have one of the highest sugar contents of all vegetables which is why they are used for cakes and puddings.
We're all familiar with steamed or boiled carrots as an accompaniment, or as an essential addition to any stock, soup or casserole base, but why not try some new ways with carrots?

New ways with carrots

• Roast carrots in a little olive oil (par boil larger ones) either on their own or around a joint of meat - add herbs such as thyme or rosemary and crushed garlic for extra flavour
• Toss some carrot batons in olive oil and cook on a griddle until tender
• Microwave with a little orange juice to give delicious crunchy carrots with a citrus twist
• Puree cooked carrots with a little butter for a sophisticated splash of colour on your plate
• Stir-fry carrots with a selection of other crunchy vegetables to add colour and texture to oriental dishes
• Cut carrots into batons and serve as crudités with dips as a healthy alternative to crisps - also great for picnics and kid's lunch boxes

Cracking Carrot Combos

Carrot and coriander is a classic combination we all know, especially in soup, but why not experiment with some different ways to jazz up your carrots?

• Caraway seeds:
  Toss some cooked carrots in butter and sprinkle with caraway seeds

• Citrus:
  Not only are oranges the perfect colour match for carrots, but the citrus really brings out the sweet flavour of carrots. Simmer carrots until tender then drain and toss in a pan with some butter, sugar to taste and lemon or orange juice for delicious citrus glazed carrots. Or dress grated raw carrot with olive oil and either orange or lemon juice, top with a few toasted almonds for a simple side salad

• Dill:
  A delicious seasoning for cooked carrots

• Ginger:
  Add some fresh ginger to carrots when juicing for a great cleansing juice with a kick. Or try cooking the carrots in a little ginger beer for an unusual twist on boiled carrots

• Honey:
  A delicious and healthy glaze for carrots

• Maple Syrup:
  Drizzle over roasted carrots five minutes before the end of their cooking time to accentuate their sweetness

• Mint:
  Add to carrots in salad or in a chilled soup for a refreshing taste

Kids Love Carrots!

• Carrots are great for kids lunch boxes or for a satisfying snack during the day
• Carrot sticks are the perfect size for little hands - delicious with dips or on their own. A great way to get them to eat more veg!
• Sweeten up salads with a little grated carrot to make them more appealing to kids
• Carrots are a delicious and healthy weaning food for babies - they love the sweet taste and smooth texture of pureed carrots on their own or as a base for other vegetables and meat