Cedar Roasted Carrots With Tofu And Carrot Pesto Food

CEDAR-ROASTED CARROTS WITH TOFU AND CARROT PESTO

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325 degrees. Soak 4 sheets of cedar paper, about 8 inches square (sold in cookware and Japanese kitchen-equipment stores) in water for 10 minutes. Cut tops off carrots. Reserve 4 sprigs and chop 1 cup, packed, of the tops. Turn on food processor. Drop garlic in through the feed tube and process until minced, scraping down workbowl once or twice. Place chopped carrot tops and lemon juice in processor and process until minced. With machine running, drizzle in 1/2 cup olive oil. Process to a purée. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
• Place baby carrots in a large bowl and toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Drain cedar paper and spread in the bottom of a roasting pan. Spread carrots evenly on top, cover with foil, place over medium-high heat until the oil starts to sizzle, then place in the oven until carrots are tender, about 30 to 40 minutes, depending on the size of the carrots. Remove from oven and wrap loosely in the foil to keep warm.
• Combine diced carrots and carrot juice in a saucepan and cook on medium about 5 minutes until about half the liquid has evaporated. Transfer to a blender, add grated ginger and process to a purée. Season with salt and pepper and keep warm. Microwave tofu one minute to warm it, or warm in a steamer.
• Make a pool of carrot purée on each of 4 dinner plates, spoon the tofu on each and arrange the roasted carrots on top. Drizzle the pesto around, garnish with some sprigs of carrot tops and scatter sesame seeds on top. Serve warm.

ROASTED CARROTS WITH CARROT-TOP PESTO AND BURRATA

Steps:

• Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 500 degrees F.
• Pour 2 tablespoons of the oil into a heavy ovenproof pan big enough to hold the carrots in a single layer. Set the pan over high heat and bring the oil to a light smoke. Add the carrots, sprinkle on 1 teaspoon of the salt, and turn the carrots to coat them in the oil. Cook, turning over the carrots occasionally, until they're browned in spots, 6 to 8 minutes. Pop the pan in the oven and roast, shaking the pan occasionally, until the carrots are evenly tender, 8 to 12 minutes, depending on the size of your carrots. Let the carrots cool slightly. Halve the burrata and arrange the halves on a platter. Arrange the carrots on the platter so they're pointing this way and that. Add the pesto here and there in little dollops.
• Pluck enough 2-to 3-inch delicate sprigs from the reserved carrot tops to make about 1 1/2 lightly packed cups and toss them in a bowl with the basil. Whisk together the remaining 2 tablespoons of the oil with the lemon juice and a good pinch of salt in a small bowl until the mixture looks creamy. Use a little of the lemon dressing to lightly dress the carrot top-basil mixture, sprinkle on a little more salt, and toss well. Arrange the mixture on top of the carrots and burrata. Drizzle everything with the remaining lemon dressing and serve.
• Combine the carrot tops and basil in a small food processor, pulse several times, then add the walnuts, Parmesan, garlic, and salt. Pulse several more times, add the oil, then process full-on, stopping and scraping down the sides of the processor or stirring gently if need be, until the mixture is well combined but still a bit chunky. Taste and season with more salt, if you fancy.

ROASTED CARROT TART WITH CARROT-GREEN PESTO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a large rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray. Line another baking sheet with parchment.
• Cut greens off carrots if still attached; reserve. Halve the carrots lengthwise and toss with 1 tablespoon oil and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a large bowl. Transfer to the sprayed baking sheet. Roast, stirring occasionally, until tender when pierced with a paring knife, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, place 1 cup of the reserved carrot greens, dill, tarragon, Parmesan, almonds, garlic and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper in a food processor. Pulse until coarsely chopped, scraping down the sides once or twice. With the motor running, add the remaining 5 tablespoons oil and continue to process until well combined. Set aside.
• Roll puff pastry on a lightly floured surface into a 12-by-10-inch rectangle. Transfer to the parchment-lined baking sheet. Using a sharp paring knife, lightly score a 1/2-inch border all around the edge of the pastry. Prick with a fork everywhere but the border. Bake until puffy and lightly browned, 10 to 12 minutes. Use the fork to press the dough within the border so it's flat, leaving the border puffed.
• Combine ricotta and shallot in a small bowl. Evenly spread the mixture on the pastry, then spread 5 tablespoons of the carrot-green pesto over it. Arrange the roasted carrots in a single layer on the pesto.
• Bake the tart until the crust is golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. While still warm, brush the carrots with 1 tablespoon of the pesto (reserve the remaining pesto for another use). Garnish with more carrot greens, dill and tarragon, if desired.

ROASTED CARROTS WITH CILANTRO-WALNUT PESTO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°. Pulse the first 6 ingredients in a small food processor until finely chopped. Continue processing, gradually adding oil in a steady stream. Drizzle carrots with herb mixture; toss to coat. Transfer to a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Roast, stirring occasionally, until tender, 20-25 minutes.

EASY ROASTED CARROTS WITH PECAN PESTO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• Peel carrots and slice into 1/3-inch pieces on a bias. Add carrots, 2 1/2 tablespoons olive oil, and 2 1/2 teaspoon of salt to a large bowl. Toss to combine.
• Spread on two large rimmed baking sheets. (You want to put them on two so they roast and don't steam.) Roast for 8 minutes, and use a spoon to toss the carrots. Roast another 8-10 minutes until carrots are slightly brown and soft, but not mushy.
• While the carrots cook, make the pesto. Spread the pecans on a small baking sheet or skillet. Place in the oven and roast for 5 minutes until slightly toasted. Add to the food processor. Once the nuts are cool, add the spinach, garlic, parmesan cheese, and lemon juice to the food processor as well. Pulse until the mixture becomes a loose paste. While pulsing the mixer, slowly drizzle in remaining three tablespoons of olive oil. Scrape the sides of the processor down and pulse one more time. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• When the carrots are done, transfer to the same bowl you used earlier. Add the pesto. Toss until the carrots are completely coated. Season with salt and pepper. If desired, garnish with pecans and parmesan.

ROASTED CARROTS WITH PESTO

Steps:

• Slice 2 bunches carrots (with greens); chop 1 cup of the greens. Toss the carrots with olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast at 425 degrees F, tossing once, until tender, 20 minutes. Puree the carrot greens (or 1 cup chopped basil) with 1/4 cup each olive oil, grated parmesan and mint leaves, 1 garlic clove and 1 tablespoon lemon juice; season with salt. Top the carrots with the pesto and chopped hazelnuts.

ROASTED CARROTS

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Bring a large pan of water to the boil. Add the carrots, bring back up to the boil and cook for 5 mins.
• Drain and leave in a colander to steam-dry for a few minutes, and then toss in a large roasting tin with the olive oil, honey, vinegar and seasoning. Roast for 30-40 mins.