Braised Carrots With Crisp Sage Food

CARROT SOUP WITH CRISPY SAGE

Steps:

• Heat the butter in a large wide pot over medium heat. Add the garlic, sage sprigs, shallots, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the shallots soften, about 5 minutes. Increase the heat to medium-high, add the carrots and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the butter begins to brown and the carrots are tender but not fully cooked, about 12 minutes. Add the cider and 2 1/2 cups water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and continue to cook, stirring occasionally until the carrots are very soft, about 20 minutes. Remove from the heat, discard the sage sprigs and cool the soup slightly.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add the sage leaves and cook until bright green and crisp, 20 to 30 seconds. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate, sprinkle with salt and set aside.
• Puree the soup with an immersion blender in the pot or, working in batches, puree in a blender until smooth, taking care not to fill the carafe more than half full per batch. Reheat the soup over medium heat. Stir in the vinegar and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper. Ladle the soup into bowls and top with a small spoonful of creme fraiche and a crispy sage leaf.

STOVETOP-BRAISED CARROTS AND PARSNIPS

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients except lemon juice and garnish in a skillet with a cover; add a quarter cup of water. Bring to a boil, then cover and adjust heat so mixture simmers gently. Check every few minutes and add more water if necessary.
• Cook until the vegetables are tender and the liquid is almost gone, about a half-hour. Uncover and boil off remaining liquid if necessary, then taste and adjust seasoning, adding lemon juice as needed. Garnish and serve hot, warm or at room temperature.

HERB BRAISED CARROTS

Steps:

• Heat butter in a large pan over medium heat until completely melted. Add carrots and shallot to pan; cook and stir until the carrots are coated in butter and shallots are slightly soft, about 5 minutes.
• Stir vegetable stock, thyme, ground nutmeg, and ground sumac into the carrots; cover pan, reduce heat to low, and cook and stir until most of the liquid has disappeared, about 15 minutes.
• Remove pan from heat and garnish carrots with rosemary, sage, salt, and white pepper.

MAPLE-BRAISED CARROTS

Steps:

• Trim and peel 1 1/2 pounds carrots; halve lengthwise and crosswise. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 teaspoons grated ginger and cook 30 seconds. Add the carrots, 3 tablespoons maple syrup, 4 strips lemon zest, 2 thyme sprigs, 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, a pinch of cayenne and 1/2 cup water; stir. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer until tender but still saucy, 15 minutes. Discard the thyme; top with chopped chives.

CARROTS WITH SHALLOTS, SAGE, AND THYME

Steps:

• Cut carrots into 3-by 1/2-inch sticks.
• Bring stock to a boil with 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a 12-inch heavy skillet. Add carrots and simmer, covered, until just tender, about 15 minutes.
• Remove lid and boil until most of liquid has evaporated, about 5 minutes. Transfer carrots to a bowl and wipe out skillet.
• Cook shallots in butter with 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper in skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until golden- brown, about 6 minutes.
• Add sage, thyme, and nutmeg and cook, stirring, until very fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Remove from heat and return carrots to skillet, tossing to coat. Season with salt and pepper.
• What to drink:
• Josmeyer Les Folastries Gewürztraminer '05

NO-PEEL BRAISED CARROTS

Steps:

• Heat the vegetable stock, then tip the carrots into a deep frying pan. Add the butter, sugar, fennel seeds and the hot stock. Season to taste.
• Simmer, uncovered, over a medium heat for 25-30 mins or until the carrots are cooked through and the liquid is reduced and glossy.

QUICK-BRAISED CARROTS WITH BUTTER

Steps:

• Place all ingredients except the fresh parsley or mint in a medium saucepan over high heat, bring to a boil, and cover.
• Turn heat to medium-low and cook for 5 minutes.
• Uncover saucepan and raise the heat a little.
• Cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid has evaporated and carrots are cooking in butter or oil.
• Lower the heat and keep cooking, stirring occasionally, until carrots are tender (not mushy), a couple of minutes longer.
• Taste and adjust salt and pepper if necessary.
• Garnish with the fresh parsley or mint and enjoy!

BRAISED CARROTS

Steps:

• Cut carrots into 1/8 in rounds or 1/4 in dice.
• In a wide, low pot melt butter over medium heat, add carrots and cook about 3 minutes, stirring frequently until carrots have a "glazed" look.
• Add, sugar and cook another minute.
• Add salt and 1/4 cup hot water, cover, reduce heat to medium low and let cook until carrots are done, checking and stirring occasionally. Add a little more water if necessary to prevent sticking. Dish should be almost dry when done.
• I usually cook for 10 minutes but cooking time can vary considerably due to age and sort of carrots as well as your your personal preference.
• When done serve sprinkled with a little parsley or chervil (which is nice with fish).

BRAISED CARROTS WITH CRISP SAGE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a 12-inch straight-sided heavy skillet over moderate heat until hot but not smoking, then fry sage leaves, stirring, until just crisp, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.
• Add carrots to oil in skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to brown, about 8 minutes. Stir in remaining ingredients and simmer, covered, until carrots are just tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove lid and boil, stirring occasionally, until liquid is reduced to a glaze, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Serve carrots sprinkled with sage leaves.