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The method used to cook or prepare your carrots has a bearing on which seasoning works best to bring out their flavor characteristics. By choosing flavors that highlight or intensify the sweetness, freshness or woodiness of carrots, you can make the most of them in any meal.
Steps
Pairing seasonings generally
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1Choose seasonings that are traditionally used with carrots. The most versatile seasonings that pair well with carrots, regardless of how they are cooked, are garlic salt, kosher salt and pepper.
- If you are trying to stay on the healthier side, use Mrs. Dash original or garlic and herb seasoning.
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2Use herbs and spices. There are various herbs that go really well with carrots. These include:[1]
- For some additional flavor, it's great to add rosemary. This brings out the earthy flavor in the carrots.
- Parsley is a wonderful partner for carrots. This is an umbelliferous, relative of the carrot and helps to intensify the flavor. Cumin, coriander and dill are other plant relatives that match well with carrots.
- Anise is a great addition to carrots. Star anise brings out a fresh, woody flavor in carrots.
- Add a little cumin for a slightly spicy heat.
- Add cardamom to make carrot desserts, such as Indian carrot halwa or halwa dessert.
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3Sweeten carrots. If the carrots are fresh, bring out their sweetness by adding some of the following suggestions.
- Carrots go well with orange, either for savory or sweet dishes. They help to increase the sweetness in a pleasant way. Other citrus, such as lemon, can enhance the carrot flavors too.[2]
- Add a little brown sugar to carrots to bring out the sweetness in carrots. Add one teaspoon of butter to 2 tablespoons of brown sugar in a pan and melt together gently; add boiled or fried carrots and coat well.[3]
Roasting or sauteeing carrots
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1Toss in some olive oil when roasting carrots. This adds great flavor and also helps to keep the moisture in the carrots.[4]
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2Roast with parsnips. Related to the carrot, both vegetables intensify each other's flavor in a wonderful way.[5]
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3Caramelize carrots when roasting. Add lots of butter and sliced shallots to keep the carrots moist and tasty during roasting.
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4Add sauteed onions to carrots. Either sautée the carrots as well, or cook in another way and add the sauteed onions when dishing up.[6]
- Combining sugar-sweetened carrots and sauteed onions will make a sweet-and-savory dish.
Salads made with carrots
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1Use some of the herbs suggested above. Fresh parsley is a tasty combination in a carrot salad.
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2Grate apple and carrot for a sweet children's salad. Mix with a little salad oil and lemon juice for a complete salad.[7]
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3Make a carrot and cabbage salad. You could make a coleslaw but even making a salad with just these two ingredients will be great; they complement each other perfectly, the sweetness of carrot toning down the stronger bite of cabbage. Both vegetables should be fresh and crunchy, ideal for a nice salad.[8]
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4Mix carrot and celery together for well balanced salad flavors. Add a favorite dressing to complete the salad.[9]
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5Mix grated carrot with shredded coconut. A simple salad with a very effective flavor.[10]
Frying carrots - seasoned carrot fries
This is a tasty way to season and serve carrots.
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1Gather the ingredients. You'll need:
- 2 cups carrots, cut into thin wedges
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon flavored salt
- Pinch ground pepper
- Spray butter.
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2Prepare the baking sheet. Grease with either butter spray or cooking oil. Preheat the oven to 350ºF/180ºC.
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3Mix the seasoning ingredients together (garlic powder, salt and pepper). Set aside.
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4Spread the carrot wedges across the baking sheet. Do not overlap them; ensure that they are all sitting in a single layer.
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5Spray the carrot wedges with spray butter.
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6Sprinkle the seasoning over the wedges. Keep it evenly distributed.
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7Place in the oven. Bake for 16 to 25 minutes.[11]
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8Serve immediately.
Things You'll Need
Seasoned carrot fries:
- Kitchen knife and cutting board
- Baking sheet
- Oven mitts
References
- ↑ https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-food/how-to-match-the-right-herbs-and-spices-with-the-right-vegetables/
- ↑ https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/24773/orange-glazed-carrots/
- ↑ https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/107344/sweet-baby-carrots/
- ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/roasted-carrots-recipe-1940444
- ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/roasted-parsnips-and-carrots-recipe-1949073
- ↑ https://www.veggie-quest.com/2011/02/midweek-dash-easy-sauteed-carrots-with/
- ↑ https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/classic_carrot_salad/
- ↑ https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1013029-shredded-red-cabbage-and-carrot-salad
- ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/carrot-celery-slaw-yogurt-dressing
- ↑ https://thehealthyfoodie.com/carrot-salad/
- ↑ https://www.food.com/recipe/oven-baked-carrot-fries-413832
- Carrot matching guidance from Niki Segnit, The Flavour Thesaurus, ISBN 978-0-7475-9977-7
About This Article
Seasoning carrots is a great way to help bring out their flavor. For a simple and versatile seasoning, stick with salt, pepper, and garlic. For an herbier taste, add rosemary, parsley, cumin, or coriander. Or, to bring out their fresh, woody flavor, add some anise. If you’re roasting your carrots, toss them in olive oil first. This will help keep the moisture in them. To bring out the sweetness in your carrots, season them with orange or lemon juice or a little brown sugar and butter. You can also add cardamom to make carrot deserts, like Indian carrot halwa. For more tips, including how to season carrot fries, read on!
