Honey-Balsamic Glazed Carrots

Need a last minute side dish for Rosh Hashanah? Carrots are traditional for the holiday and few recipes are as easy as this one.

Bonus: set them up ahead and cook just before you need them.

Best of all: they are exceedingly delicious!

Honey-Balsamic Glazed Carrots

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 2 tablespoons honey

• 2 tablespoons Balsamic vinegar

• 1 pound carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch slices

• 1 large clove garlic, finely chopped

• salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives (or use the green part of scallion)

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the olive oil, honey and Balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Cook briefly, just long enough for the honey to soften and become easy to pour. Set aside. Pace the carrots and garlic on the parchment lined cookie sheet. Pour the honey mixture on top and toss the carrots to coat all the pieces. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Roast for about 30 minutes, tossing the ingredients 2-3 times during that time, or until the carrots are lightly browned and tender. Spoon the carrots onto a serving dish and sprinkle with chives.

Makes 4 servings

Grilled Carrots

I always think of Memorial Day Weekend as the start of the official grilling season where I live. Silly, maybe. Lots of people I know grill year round. But I don’t like being outside cooking chicken breasts or hamburgers when the weather is what the weather is in Connecticut during the winter.

So — the grill is open now, thanks to warmth and sunshine.

This recipe for grilled carrots is my official start to the official start of grilling season. We’ve eaten the carrots hot, with the cold sauce. We’ve eaten the leftovers at room temp, with the cold sauce. Winner, either way.

Also - you can cut the carrots into smaller pieces and use them with the sauce, for crudites.

Grilled Carrots with Yogurt Sauce

• 1 dozen medium carrots

• 1-1/2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 cup plain Greek style yogurt

• 1-1/2 tablespoons lemon juice

• 1 teaspoon grated fresh lemon peel

• 1/4 teaspoon Aleppo pepper (or use crushed red pepper)

• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint

Preheat an outdoor grill to medium heat. Peel the carrots and coat them with the olive oil. Grill the carrots, turning them occasionally, for 12-15 minutes, or until browned and tender. While the carrots are cooking, mix the yogurt with the lemon juice, lemon peel, Aleppo pepper and 2 tablespoons of the mint. Serve the carrots with the yogurt sauce. Sprinkle with fresh mint.

Makes 4-6 servings

Roasted Carrots with Balsamic Vinegar Glaze and Chives

Carrots are always on my menu for Rosh Hashanah dinner. 

This recipe, the one I'm serving this year, is so easy. And you can set it up ahead -- peel and cut the carrots 2-3 days before you have to cook them, and store them in a plastic bag in the fridge.

This dish will go with practically any main course you might serve for dinner. 

Roasted Carrots with Balsamic Vinegar and Chives

• 1 pound carrots
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• kosher salt to taste
• pinch cayenne pepper
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Peel the carrots and cut them lengthwise in half or quarters, depending on thickness. Place the carrots on the baking sheet. Pour the olive oil over the carrots and toss to coat them completely. Sprinkle with kosher salt and a pinch of cayenne. Roast the carrots, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes. Pour the Balsamic vinegar over the carrots, toss and bake for another 8-10 minutes or until they are tender. Sprinkle with chives and serve. 

Makes 4 servings

Roasted Chick Pea and Carrot Salad

This dish, which I have made many ways, with many variations over the years, is a nice post-Passover treat for those who don't eat chick peas or beans during the holiday.

It's also an easy dish to do and goes with just about everything and anything else you might be serving at any time during the year -- roasted chicken, grilled fish, steak.

It's a colorful, filling dish for a meatless Monday or vegetarian meal.

I'd use it (have used it) for Thanksgiving dinner.

All in all, a pretty useful recipe.

As I said, versatile too: use white beans instead of chick peas, wine vinegar instead of lemon juice. Add some red onion, thawed frozen peas. Like that.

 

Roasted Chick Pea and Carrot Salad

• 2 cups cooked chick peas
• 1 pound carrots, sliced 1/4-inch thick
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 3-4 tablespoons lemon juice
• freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 2-3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or chives

Cook dried chickpeas according to package directions (or drain canned chick peas). Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Place the chick peas and carrots on a baking sheet. Pour 2 tablespoons olive oil over the vegetables. Sprinkle with salt and cumin and toss to coat the vegetables. Roast for about 15 minutes or until crispy and lightly browned. Remove from the oven and let cool. Spoon the vegetables into a bowl. Pour in the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and the lemon juice. Toss. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with parsley, toss and serve.

Makes 4-6 servings

Roasted Chick Pea and Carrot Salad

This dish, which I have made many ways, with many variations over the years, is a nice post-Passover treat for those who don't eat chick peas or beans during the holiday.

It's also an easy dish to do and goes with just about everything and anything else you might be serving at any time during the year -- roasted chicken, grilled fish, steak.

It's a colorful, filling dish for a meatless Monday or vegetarian meal.

I'd use it (have used it) for Thanksgiving dinner.

All in all, a pretty useful recipe.

As I said, versatile too: use white beans instead of chick peas, wine vinegar instead of lemon juice. Add some red onion, thawed frozen peas. Like that.

 

ROASTED CHICK PEA AND CARROT SALAD

• 2 cups cooked chick peas
• 1 pound carrots, sliced 1/4-inch thick
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 3-4 tablespoons lemon juice
• freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 2-3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or chives

Cook dried chickpeas according to package directions (or drain canned chick peas). Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Place the chick peas and carrots on a baking sheet. Pour 2 tablespoons olive oil over the vegetables. Sprinkle with salt and cumin and toss to coat the vegetables. Roast for about 15 minutes or until crispy and lightly browned. Remove from the oven and let cool. Spoon the vegetables into a bowl. Pour in the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and the lemon juice. Toss. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with parsley, toss and serve.

Makes 4-6 servings

Carrot Bread with Raisins for Rosh Hashanah

Somehow Labor Day is over and the food thoughts in my head go straight from tomato salad and grilled chicken to pumpkin soup and baked apples. 

Of course there's still time to enjoy the last of the summer fruits and vegetables, still time for outdoor-cooked grilled, marinated steak. 

But I'm thinking forward. It's almost a new season and -- yikes! -- the High Holiday season is only two weeks away.

Which leads toady's food thoughts to: carrots, because carrots are traditional during Rosh Hashanah. I usually cook them in soup -- one version or another. But last year I decided to experiment with a few recipes for carrot quick bread.

This is the one we like best. It's moist and sweet, so it can be dessert, and because it is parve, it is a good choice after a traditional holiday meat meal.

But also makes a good snack either by itself or smeared with cream cheese (softened is best and maybe even mixed with some lemon juice).

CARROT BREAD(P)

• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 3 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1-1/2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
• 1-1/2 cups grated carrots
• 1/2 cup golden raisins

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8-1/2”x4-1/2” loaf pan. Mix the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg into a bowl. Set aside. Beat the brown sugar, white sugar and vegetable oil in the bowl of an electric mixer set at medium speed for 2-3 minutes, or until well blended. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Stir in the lemon juice and peel. Add the dry ingredients and blend them into the egg mixture. Fold in the carrots and raisins. Pour the batter into the loaf pan. Bake for about 50 minutes or until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then invert onto a rack to cool completely. 

Makes one loaf  

Carrots with Pomegranate Jam Glaze

There are several ingredients in my life that I cook over and over.

Salmon. I make it so often for Ed and me that we are turning into fish.

Except that I also cook a lot of turkey, so maybe instead of growing fins and swimming up river we will grow feathers and start saying "gobble gobble."

And carrots. They're my go-to vegetable because most people like them and even people who say they hate vegetables usually say carrots are okay. 

I will definitely serve carrots for Rosh Hashanah. Why?

Tradition!

Pomegranates are also traditional for the holiday, so a while ago I cooked carrots and pomegranates (in the form of pomegranate molasses) together once and the result was really delicious.

But recently I decided to rework my old recipe using pomegranate jam that I bought from Crafted Kosher. 

It's a keeper.

Also, you can make the recipe up to the point of actually roasting them, so it's one of those wonderful dishes you can make ahead during this crazily busy holiday time.

Carrots with Pomegranate Jam

• 1/4 cup pomegranate jam
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh orange peel
• pinch cayenne pepper
• salt to taste
• 1 pound carrots
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh mint

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the pomegranate jam, orange juice, vegetable oil, orange peel, cayenne pepper and salt in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring to blend the ingredients, and cook for one minute, making sure the jam has melted. Peel the carrots and cut them lengthwise in half or quarters, depending on thickness. Place the carrots on the parchment lined baking sheet and pour the jam mixture over them. Roast the carrots, stirring occasionally, for 18-20 minutes or until they are tender and well glazed. Sprinkle with mint and serve. 

Makes 4 servings

Carrots with Pomegranate Molasses Glaze

For me, the sight of the first autumn pomegranates isn’t a culinary experience so much as an emotional one. I picture my mother, young and beautiful, opening the door because my great uncle, my feter, has come to visit. He adored my mother —and she adored him — and I think he walked all the distance from his synagogue to our house, just to see her.

He came bearing gifts for us kids, my two brothers and me: root beer lollypops with pretzel-like twisted handles.

And pomegranates.

My brothers and I would peel off the thick pomegranate shell, bite off chunks of the glossy seeds and swish them around in our mouths. We downed the tangy juice and spit out the pits, phtoo, phtoo, phtoo to see whose went farthest. My mother rolled her eyes back in mock exasperation.

I can’t look at a pomegranate without thinking of my mother’s Uncle Mendel (she called him Max).

I haven’t actually eaten a pomegranate in quite a long time. These days the closest I’ve come is pomegranate juice, because it’s so healthy, and pomegranate molasses, because it’s so deliciously tangy and so useful. Like as a glaze for carrots, which I am going to serve as a side dish for Rosh Hashanah.

But I also bought a whole pomegranate yesterday and will feast on it like in the old days, when I was a kid and my mother was still with us and feter used to visit.

Now, if only I could find me some root beer lollypops.

Carrots with Pomegranate Molasses Glaze

2 pounds carrots

1 tablespoon coconut oil

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

salt, freshly ground black pepper, cinnamon, ground cumin, cayenne pepper

3 tablespoons pomegranate molasses

2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Peel the carrots and cut them into strips (about 3-inches long, 3/8-inch wide). Place the strips on the parchment paper. Pour the coconut oil and vegetable oil over the carrots and toss to coat the carrots completely. Sprinkle the carrots lightly with salt, black pepper,  cinnamon, cumin and cayenne pepper. Toss again.

Roast the carrots for 15-18 minutes, stirring the strips 2-3 times. Pour the pomegranate molasses over the carrots and toss to coat them. Roast the carrots for another 6-8 minutes, stirring once or twice, or until tender and glazed. Place the strips in a serving bowl, sprinkle with mint and serve.

Makes 8 servings

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Chick Pea and Carrot Salad

Chick Pea and Carrot Salad

I’ve learned that if you serve salads that are colorful, that don’t have the same-old, same-old greens but do contain some interesting ingredients, even people who say they hate salads will eat them. Or at least try them.

A few days ago I posted a recipe for a cauliflower salad that I served at a party recently and was a big hit. So was this one. Lots of people remarked about how bright the orange was and how they liked the bumpy look of carrots and chick peas.

It was intriguing so they tried it. And liked it.

Chick Pea and Carrot Salad

• 1 15-ounce can chickpeas

• 4 medium carrots, sliced thin

• 1/2 chopped red onion

• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

• 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

• 1/4 cup olive oil

• 3 tablespoons lemon juice

• salt to taste

Rinse the chickpeas under cold running water; let drain and place in a bowl. Add the carrots, onion, parsley, mint, cumin and cayenne pepper and toss to distribute the ingredients evenly. Pour in the olive oil and lemon juice. Toss to coat the ingredients evenly. Taste for seasoning and add salt to taste.

Makes 6 servings

X-Ray Vision Carrots

Food names make a difference. A cousin of mine won’t eat yogurt just because he doesn’t like the word yogurt. And he’s not the only one.

People might refuse to eat stuff if they don’t like what it’s called.

I blogged about this yesterday.

Well apparently, it’s no different for kids. Children respond better when food has a cool name. According to one study 4-year old girls ate almost twice as many “Xray Vision Carrots” as regular carrots even though the dish they got served was exactly the same.

So folks, if you’re trying to get your children to try something new or to eat a particular vegetable or other ingredient that might not be a favorite, maybe if you give it a good name your child might actually try it and better yet, like it!

X-Ray Vision Carrots

• 1 pound carrots
• 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
• 1 medium shallot, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh ginger
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh orange peel
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 2-3 tablespoons maple syrup
• salt to taste

Peel the carrots and cut them into 1/2-inch chunks. Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil, add the carrots and cook for 5-6 minutes or until nearly tender. Drain and set aside. Heat the butter in a saute pan over medium heat. When the butter has melted and looks foamy, add the shallot, ginger and orange peel and cook for one minute. Stir in the orange juice and maple syrup and cook for one minute. Add the carrots and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3-4 minutes or until the carrots are hot, tender and well glazed. Season with salt to taste.

Makes 4 servings