Carrots With Star Anise And Butter Food

ANISE CARROTS

Steps:

• Cook/steam carrots in salted water until crisp-tender (or desired tenderness); drain.
• Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, saute onion in the butter until they are soft and translucent.
• Return cooked, drained carrots to saucepan with the sauteed onions.
• Add anise and preserves. Toss to coat well.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.

CARROT-STAR ANISE SOUP

Steps:

• Heat oil in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat. Saute chopped carrots and onion in the hot oil, 10 to 15 minutes. Add water slowly, adjusting so that the vegetables are just covered. Add star anise, chicken bouillon, and coriander and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and let simmer, about 40 minutes.
• Remove star anise. Puree soup with an immersion blender to desired consistency. Garnish with thyme and marjoram and serve hot.

SLOW-ROASTED CARROTS WITH BROWN-BUTTER VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 325. Scrub the carrots, and peel them if you like (it really doesn't matter). Set a roasting pan over two burners on medium heat; put the olive oil in the pan. When the oil is hot, add the carrots and cook, turning as they brown, until lightly caramelized all over, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Add 3 tablespoons butter, spices, salt and pepper. Transfer the roasting pan to the oven, and cook, shaking the pan once or twice, until the carrots are crinkly on the outside and you can pierce them easily with the tip of a sharp knife, 45 to 60 minutes.
• Meanwhile, put 1 stick butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally until the butter foam subsides and the butter turns nut brown, about 5 minutes. Turn off the heat.
• Put brown butter, vinegar, Dijon, salt and pepper in a blender. Blend until a creamy emulsion forms, about 30 seconds; taste, and adjust the seasoning. Put the carrots on a platter, drizzle the vinaigrette over the top and garnish with the chervil or parsley, and serve.

CREAMY CARROT SOUP WITH STAR ANISE

Steps:

• In large stock pot over medium heat melt the butter. Add chopped onion, 3 star anise, bay leaves and garlic. Saute until the onion starts to soften and glisten, about 5 minutes.
• Add the carrots and fresh stock. Cover, bring to boil and simmer until carrots are very tender, approximately 30 minutes.
• Remove star anise and bay leaves. Using an immersion blender puree the soup until very smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Take the remaining star anise and grind to a fine powder. Stir a little into the soup. Adjust seasoning and add more star anise to taste. Stir in the fresh minced chives.
• Serve hot.

BROWN BUTTER CARROTS & SPROUT PETALS

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a shallow saucepan over a medium heat until nut brown, then add the carrots and star anise, and cook for 5 mins until the carrots start to colour. Sprinkle over the sugar and just cover with water. Season with salt, then bring to the boil, reduce the heat to a steady simmer and cook for 8 mins until most of the water has evaporated and the carrots are just cooked through and coated in a buttery glaze. Can be made up to four hours ahead and kept at room temperature, or cooled then kept chilled overnight.
• About 5 mins before serving, bring the carrots back to a simmer, stir through the sprout petals and cook for 3-5 mins until just wilted.