Friday, December 31, 2010

ffwd - spiced butter-glazed carrots

I actually like carrots. In fact, they are one of my favorite non-green vegetables. Still, when this was first on the menu for December, I didn't get that excited about them. I ended up leaving this recipe for last - just worked out that way. I'm glad it did though! Because I made these last night when I was already wanting something simple and really yummy - but no more fuss, no more fancy. That was so last week!

 
what a simple list of ingredients: butter, onion, ginger, garlic, cardamom seeds, salt & white pepper,
carrots and chicken broth
 
finally - and opportunity to use my mortar and pestle!

with butter melting, ingredients into the pan for a quick saute

adding the carrots to get their coating of butter

then the chicken broth - this is where I started wondering...
is this going to work????

once they've simmered, though, the heat gets turned up, so the sauce
thickens, and makes a beautiful glaze
I have to say, these are very more-ish. I couldn't stop eating them. Would I have liked a little fresh rosemary or thyme in place of the cardamom? Yes. Would maybe some other herb or spice been nice? Sure. But these were really good carrots. The depth of flavor from the ingredients and the cooking technique made them more than the sum of their parts. This was such an easy, good recipe, that I think I might be hard-pressed to make carrots as a side dish any other way. And I think it could easily become something that I would serve more often. I thought they were great!

9 comments:

  1. More-ish indeed. These were so good. And I agree: there are so many ways you could change these up that I think you could serve them every week and never get tired of them.

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  2. I love raw carrots, but cooked carrots seem a bit too sweet for me. Your photos however may force me to add these to a menu.

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  3. They look wonderful! So glad you enjoyed them - they were a hit at our dinner last night! :)

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  4. I loved these too and couldn't stop eating them! I completely forgot to use my mortar and pestle!

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  5. I ate all mine too! So yummy. I got to use my mortar and pestle too! How fun! Your carrots look delish! Happy New Year!!

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  6. The one thing I didn't make! Regretting it now...
    Trevor Sis. Boom.

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  7. I agree with you, these were really good carrots. I like your bonne idee too!

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  8. It does seem magical that all that liquid turns into such a wonderful glaze, doesn't it? They will definitely get made again and again in my kitchen. Happy New Year!

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  9. Glad you liked them. I have to say, I was wondering at the point of adding the broth as well. But it all worked out in the end, 'eh?

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