93 posts tagged “carrots”

Shrimp Cocktail Salad Rolls
Yields 4 servings

16 large, store-bought, peeled, de-veined and cooked shrimp, tails removed and chopped into bite-size pieces
5 radishes, thinly sliced, then stacked and julienned into matchsticks
1/4 yellow bell pepper, finely chopped
2 scallions, both green and white parts, thinly sliced on an angle
6 stalks celery, 2 finely chopped and 4 cut into sticks
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 to 3 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup hot sauce
1/4 cup store-bought cocktail sauce
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 tablespoons butter, melted
4 hot dog buns, split on the top
4 carrots, peeled and cut into sticks
1 bag rosemary potato chips, or any other healthy chip you like

In a medium-size mixing bowl, combine the shrimp, radishes, bell pepper, scallions and the chopped celery. For the dressing: In a separate mixing bowl, combine the vinegar, honey, Worcestershire, hot sauce and cocktail sauce. Whisk in the olive oil and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Pour the dressing over the shrimp salad, toss to combine and reserve in the fridge until ready to serve.

Preheat a large skillet over medium heat. While the skillet is heating, brush the hot dog buns with the melted butter. Toast in the skillet until golden brown. Fill the buns with the shrimp salad. Serve with carrot and celery sticks and healthy potato chips alongside.

Thai-Style Steak Salad
Serves 4

1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 boneless rib-eye steaks, (each 8 ounces and 3/4 inch thick)
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1/2 pound carrots, (3 to 4 medium)
1 medium head romaine lettuce, cut crosswise into 1-inch ribbons
1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
1 cup cream of coconut, preferably Coco Lopez
1/3 cup salted peanuts, chopped (optional)

Make marinade: In a medium bowl or liquid measuring cup, whisk together lime juice, soy sauce, sugar, red-pepper flakes, and oil. Season steaks generously with salt and pepper; place in a baking dish. Pour 1/4 of marinade over steaks (reserve remaining marinade); turn steaks to coat. Let steaks marinate up to 30 minutes.

In a large skillet, cook steaks on medium-high heat, turning once, 2 to 3 minutes per side for medium-rare. Transfer to a cutting board; tent loosely with aluminum foil, and let rest, 5 to 10 minutes. Slice steaks across the grain into 1/4-inch-thick slices; halve slices crosswise. Transfer to a large bowl, and toss with reserved marinade. With a vegetable peeler, cut carrots into long ribbons. Add to steak in bowl, along with lettuce and mint; toss to combine. Divide salad among four shallow bowls. Sprinkle with bean sprouts and peanuts, if desired.

Beef Stew
Recipe courtesy of Martha Stewart

4 sprigs fresh thyme
2 dried bay leaves
4 sprigs fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/2 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
1 3/4 pounds beef tenderloin, cut into 3/4-inch pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 3/4 cups homemade or low-sodium store-bought beef stock (14 ounces)
2 medium onions, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup dry rose or white wine
6 canned whole plum tomatoes, crushed
6 medium carrots (about 12 ounces), peeled and cut into 3/4-inch pieces
2 medium parsnips (about 8 ounces), peeled and cut into 3/4-inch pieces
1 medium turnip (about 10 ounces), peeled and cut into 3/4-inch pieces

Make the bouquet garnish: Put thyme, bay leaves, parsley, and peppercorns on a piece of cheesecloth; tie into a bundle with kitchen twine, and set aside.

Put flour into a medium bowl; season with salt and pepper. Add beef; toss to combine. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large heavy stockpot over medium-high heat. Add half of the beef; cook until browned, about 1 minute per side. Transfer to a bowl. Add 1/4 cup water to pot, and scrape up any browned bits with a wooden spoon. Pour over beef. Return the pot to heat. Repeat with 2 teaspoons oil and remaining beef. Whisk 1/4 cup stock into remaining flour in bowl; set aside. Add remaining 2 teaspoons oil, the onions, garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon salt to pot. Cook, stirring frequently, until onions are translucent, about 3 minutes. Add wine; cook, scraping up browned bits, until wine has almost evaporated, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, flour mixture, remaining stock, 1/2 cup water, and the bouquet garni. Bring to a boil. Add carrots, parsnips, and turnip. Bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer; cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes. Add beef; cook until heated through and liquid has thickened slightly, about 5 minutes. Remove bouquet garni. Serve immediately.

Daube de Boeuf Provencal
Serves 6

4 fresh thyme
1 dried bay leaf
3 whole cloves
1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
3 orange zest, (2 to 3 inches each), plus 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
1 medium onion, coarsely chopped (about 1 cup)
2 garlic cloves, crushed with the flat side of a large knife
1 celery stalk, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces (about 1/2 cup)
3 medium carrots, cut crosswise into 1-inch pieces (about 1 1/4 cups)
1 bottle (750 mL) rich red wine, such as Syrah or Shiraz
4 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1/2 cup homemade or low-sodium store-bought beef or chicken stock
1/2 cup nicoise olives, pitted and rinsed
Coarse salt

Make a bouquet garni: Put thyme, bay leaf, cloves, peppercorns, and zest on a piece of cheesecloth; tie into a bundle. Combine onion, garlic, celery, carrots, bouquet garni, and wine in a large non-reactive bowl. Add beef, and toss to coat. Cover, and marinate in the refrigerator 12 to 24 hours, stirring occasionally.

Preheat oven to 300 degrees;. Remove beef from wine mixture; pat dry with paper towels. Set aside. Transfer wine mixture to a heavy pot; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 5 minutes. Set aside. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook half of the beef, turning, until deeply browned, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate. Repeat with remaining oil and beef. Stir tomato paste into stock; add to the skillet, scraping up browned bits with a wooden spoon. Add to wine mixture. Stir in olives and beef. Season with salt. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat.

Cover daube; transfer to oven. Cook 2 hours. Reduce oven temperature to 275 degrees; if daube starts to boil. After 2 hours, stir in orange juice. Cook until beef is very tender, about 30 minutes more.

Asian Pork Salad
Serves 4 to 6

2 pork tenderloins (about 2 pounds), trimmed
Spicy Hoisin Marinade (recipe follows)
Vegetable oil, for oiling grill
2 cups fresh cilantro leaves
2 cups fresh mint leaves
1 bunch scallions, white and light green parts only, thinly sliced on the diagonal
1 cup mung bean sprouts
1 cup julienned carrots
2 red bell peppers, seeds and ribs removed, julienned
Ginger Dressing (recipe follows)
1/4 cup roasted peanuts, roughly chopped

Arrange pork loins in a non-reactive dish with spicy hoisin marinade. Cover and marinate, turning occasionally, refrigerated, for at least 8 hours or overnight. Preheat grill to high. Allow pork to return to room temperature before cooking, about 30 minutes. Remove pork from marinade, reserving 1/2 cup. Oil grill. Grill pork, turning and occasionally brushing with marinade, until pork reaches an internal temperature of 140 degrees; to 145 degrees;, about 20 minutes. Remove from grill, and allow meat to rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

In a large bowl combine cilantro, mint, scallions, sprouts, carrots, and peppers. Add ginger dressing, and toss to combine. Slice pork crosswise 1/4-inch-thick. Arrange pork and salad on a platter. Garnish with roasted peanuts.

Spicy Hoisin Marinade
Makes 3/4 cup, enough for 2 1/2 pounds meat

1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup packed dark-brown sugar
2 tablespoons sherry
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
2 tablespoons peeled and grated fresh ginger
2 garlic, minced
2 scallions, white and green parts, thinly sliced, plus more for garnish
1 tablespoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon crumbled dried chile, or crushed red pepper flakes
Zest of 1 orange

Whisk together ingredients in a nonreactive dish.

Ginger Dressing
Makes 1/3 cup

2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 1/2 tablespoons sesame oil
2 teaspoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons peeled and grated fresh ginger
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce, ginger, sugar, and chile pepper. Store, refrigerated, in an airtight container, for up to 3 days.

Turkey Bolognese
Yields 8 servings

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 pounds lean ground turkey
2 carrots, grated
2 onions, grated or finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, grated
Salt and black pepper
1 bay leaf, fresh or dry
2 cups chicken stock, regular or low sodium stock
2 28-ounce cans crushed tomatoes, regular or low sodium

Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat with 2 turns of the pan of olive oil, about 2 tablespoons.  Add the turkey and break up the meat into small pieces using the back of a wooden spoon.  Cook until brown, about 5-6 minutes. Add in the carrots, onion and garlic, and cook another 2 minutes.  Season with salt and pepper, deglaze the skillet with the stock, scraping the brown bits from the bottom of the pan, and add the tomatoes. Bring up to a bubble then drop the heat down to low and simmer for another 5-6 minutes more.

Chicken and Vegetable Casserole
Yields 4 servings

1 pound egg noodles
Salt
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, chopped into bite-size pieces
2 cups shredded or grated carrots
1 large onion, chopped
2 ribs celery, chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely grated or chopped
1 fresh or dry bay leaf
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
1/2 cup white wine
2 cups chicken stock
2 cups milk
1 10-ounce box frozen peas
20 leaves basil, roughly chopped or torn
1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley leaves, roughly chopped
1 cup plain bread crumbs
1/2 cup shredded Italian 3-cheese mix

Preheat oven 375°F. Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat to cook the egg noodles.  Once boiling, add some salt and the noodles and cook until al dente according to package directions.  Drain thoroughly. While the water is coming up to a boil for the egg noodles, preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat and drizzle the pan with two turns of the pan with EVOO, about 2 tablespoons. Add the chicken pieces and brown on both side for about 4-5 minutes and remove to a plate.

To the same large skillet over medium-high heat, add the carrots, onions, celery, garlic and bay leaf, season with some salt and pepper and cook, stirring every now and then for 3-4 minutes, until the veggies start to get tender.  Scoot the veggies to the sides of the skillet and add the butter to the center of the skillet. Once the butter melts, add the flour, stir to combine and cook about 1 minute. Add the white wine, chicken stock and milk and whisk together.  Stir in the veggies, bring up to a bubble and simmer for 3-4 minutes until thick.  Remove the bay leaf and then add the peas, reserved chicken pieces, basil, parsley and drained noodles, and toss to combine. 

Transfer everything to a baking dish.  In a bowl, mix together the bread crumbs and shredded Italian 3 cheese mix, sprinkle over the casserole and transfer to the oven. Bake for 15 minutes, until the top is brown. Serve with a simple green salad alongside.

Steak Frites with Shallot Glaze
Serves 2

1/2 cup (about 4 medium-large) shallots, peeled and thinly sliced crosswise
2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
1/2 cup dry white wine
2/3 cup Homemade Chicken Stock (recipe follows)
1 large clove garlic, peeled and minced
1 teaspoon soy sauce
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 1/2 to 1 3/4 pounds shoulder blade or skirt steak, trimmed and patted dry
2 tablespoons peanut or olive oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Frites (French Fries) (recipe follows)

Boil shallots with red-wine vinegar in a heavy, small saucepan until the mixture is reduced to a glaze. Add wine, and boil until sauce is syrupy. Add chicken stock, garlic, and soy sauce, and boil until it has reduced and thickened to a saucelike consistency. Season with salt and pepper. (This can be prepared several hours ahead, cooled, covered, and set aside at cool room temperature, or refrigerated.)

Season steak with salt and pepper. Place a heavy cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, and film with oil. Sear both sides of steak in skillet, and place in a 300 degrees; oven, and cook until steak is medium rare. Transfer steak to a cutting board, and let it rest 5 minutes. Meanwhile add shallot glaze with butter to skillet to deglaze. Slice steak diagonally crosswise. Overlap the slices on a plate and pour the glaze over the steak. Serve immediately with frites.

Homemade Chicken Stock
Makes 5 quarts

1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
6 fresh dill, or 2 teaspoons dried dill
6 fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 dried bay leaves
2 leeks, washed, white and pale-green parts only, cut into thirds
2 carrots, scrubbed, cut into thirds
2 celery, cut into thirds
1 4-pound chicken, cut into 6 pieces
1 1/2 pounds chicken wings
1 1/2 pounds chicken backs
12 cups (two 48-ounce cans) canned low-sodium chicken broth

Place peppercorns, dill, parsley, bay leaves, leeks, carrots, celery, chicken, wings, and backs into a large stockpot. Add stock and 6 cups cold water. Bring to a boil. Reduce to a very gentle simmer, and cook for 45 minutes. Liquid should just bubble up to the surface. A skin will form on the surface of the liquid; skim this off with a slotted spoon, and discard. Repeat as needed. After 45 minutes, remove chicken from the pot, and set aside until it is cool enough to handle.

Remove the meat from the bones, set the meat aside, and return the bones to the pot. Shred the chicken, and set aside in the refrigerator until ready to use. Continue to simmer the stock, on the lowest heat possible, for 3 hours, skimming as needed. The chicken bones will begin to disintegrate. Strain the stock through a fine sieve into a very large bowl.
Discard the solids. Place the bowl in an ice bath, and let cool to room temperature. Transfer to airtight containers. Stock may be refrigerated for 3 days or frozen for 4 months. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours, or overnight. If storing, leave fat layer intact to the seal the stock. Before using, remove the layer of fat that has collected on the surface.

Frites (French Fries)

2 pounds (about 8 medium) russet potatoes, peeled, sliced lengthwise, and cut into 1/4-to-3/8-inch-wide sticks
Peanut oil, (about 4 Cups), for deep frying
Salt

Place potatoes in a large bowl of cold water. Change the water repeatedly to remove the potato starch until the water remains clear. (Potatoes can be prepared a few hours ahead to this point and set aside at room temperature in a bowl covered with cold water. Drain before cooking.) Dry the potatoes well in a lettuce spinner and with a clean bath towel.

Line two large baking sheets with paper towels. Heat oil to 350 degrees; in a wok or large pot. Fry potatoes in small batches without crowding until completely cooked, but barely colored, turning occasionally. Transfer to the prepared sheets in a single layer using a slotted spoon. (Potatoes can be prepared a few hours ahead to this point and set aside at room temperature.)

Preheat oven to 200 degrees;. Line another baking sheet with paper towels. Reheat oil to 350 degrees;. Fry potatoes again in small batches until crisp and golden brown, turning occasionally. Transfer cooked potatoes to the prepared sheet using a slotted spoon, and keep them warm in the oven while cooking the remaining potatoes. Sprinkle with salt, and serve immediately.

Pasta e Fagioli
Yields 4 servings

4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus some for drizzling
4 thick slices pancetta, about half-inch thick each, diced
2 sprigs rosemary
4 sprigs thyme with several sprigs on it
1 large fresh bay leaf or 2 dried bay leaves
1 medium onion, chunked
2 small carrots, chunked
4 rib celery, chunked
6 large cloves garlic, chopped
Coarse salt and pepper
2 15-ounce cans butter beans, drained
1 14 1/2-ounce can diced tomatoes
2 quarts chicken stock
1/2 box rigatoni
Grated Parmigiano or Romano cheese, for the table
Crusty bread, for mopping

Heat a deep pot over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and pancetta and brown pancetta bits lightly. Add herbs, bay leaf, vegetables and garlic and season with salt and pepper. Add beans, tomatoes and stock to the pot, and raise heat to high. Bring soup to a rapid bubble and add the pasta. Reduce the heat to medium and cook soup for 6-8 minutes or until pasta is cooked to al dente, stirring occasionally.

Remove the stems and bay leaf from soup and let it rest and begin to cool for a few minutes. Place the pot on a trivet on the table so the hot pot does not burn your table, then ladle soup into bowls and top with lots of cheese and another little drizzle of olive oil. Pass crusty bread for bowl mopping.

Chicken Pot Pie
Serves 6

1 three-to four-pound chicken
4 cups Homemade Chicken Stock, or canned low-sodium chicken broth, skimmed of fat
1 large yellow onion, cut in half
2 dried bay leaves
1/2 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
1 small bunch fresh thyme
1 rib celery, cut into thirds
1 cup plus 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 1/4 teaspoons salt
8 tablespoons (1 stick) plus 7 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 large egg yolks
9 ounces red potatoes, scrubbed and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
12 pearl onions, peeled and cut lengthwise if large
1 medium leek, white and light-green parts only, sliced into 1/4-inch-thick rounds and washed
2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch-thick rounds
6 ounces button mushrooms, quartered if large
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Zest of 1 lemon
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon heavy cream

Combine chicken, chicken stock, yellow onion, bay leaves, peppercorns, 3 thyme sprigs, and celery in a stockpot, and add enough water just to cover the chicken. Bring stock to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered, for 1 hour.

Pick enough thyme leaves to make 3 tablespoons. Combine 1 cup flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1 tablespoon thyme leaves in the bowl of a food processor, and set remaining 2 tablespoons thyme aside. Add 10 tablespoons chilled butter cut into small pieces, and pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal. While the food processor is running, add 3 tablespoons ice water and 1 egg yolk, and process until the dough holds together. Turn dough onto plastic wrap, flatten into circle, and wrap well; refrigerate at least 1 hour.

Drain chicken, and reserve the stock. Remove the skin from the chicken, and remove all the chicken from the carcass. Shred the chicken into bite-size strips, and set aside. Strain the stock, and set aside 2 cups. Reserve the remaining stock for another use.

Preheat oven to 375º. Melt the remaining 5 tablespoons of butter in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add red potatoes and pearl onions, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes begin to turn golden, 4 to 5 minutes. Add leeks, carrots, and mushrooms, and cook 4 to 5 minutes more. Add the remaining 5 tablespoons flour, and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Stir in reserved chicken stock and milk, and bring to a simmer. Cook until thick and bubbly, stirring constantly, 2 to 3 minutes. Add reserved chicken pieces, parsley, remaining 2 tablespoons thyme, lemon zest, remaining 2 teaspoons salt, and the ground pepper; transfer to a large casserole dish. Set aside.

Roll out the dough until it is 1/4 inch thick, and transfer to a baking sheet. Allow to chill 15 minutes. Make an egg wash: In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining yolk and heavy cream. Working quickly, place the dough over the top of the chicken mixture, and tuck extra dough around the edges. Cut slits on top to allow steam to escape. Brush with the egg wash, and place on a baking sheet. Bake until crust is golden, 35 to 40 minutes. Serve hot.