How to Season Carrots

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posted on 9 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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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

Choose 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.

Use herbs and spices. There are various herbs that go really well with carrots. These include: 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.

Sweeten 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. 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.

Roasting or sauteeing carrots

Toss in some olive oil when roasting carrots. This adds great flavor and also helps to keep the moisture in the carrots.

Roast with parsnips. Related to the carrot, both vegetables intensify each other's flavor in a wonderful way.

Caramelize carrots when roasting. Add lots of butter and sliced shallots to keep the carrots moist and tasty during roasting.

Add sauteed onions to carrots. Either sautée the carrots as well, or cook in another way and add the sauteed onions when dishing up. Combining sugar-sweetened carrots and sauteed onions will make a sweet-and-savory dish.

Salads made with carrots

Use some of the herbs suggested above. Fresh parsley is a tasty combination in a carrot salad.

Grate apple and carrot for a sweet children's salad. Mix with a little salad oil and lemon juice for a complete salad.

Make 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.

Mix carrot and celery together for well balanced salad flavors. Add a favorite dressing to complete the salad.

Mix grated carrot with shredded coconut. A simple salad with a very effective flavor.

Frying carrots - seasoned carrot fries

Gather 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.