Moroccan Carrot Dip With Pita Chips Food

MOROCCAN CARROT DIP

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the carrots and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook until they begin to soften, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the garlic, coriander, cumin, ginger, chili powder and cinnamon and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the water and bring to a simmer. Cover, reduce the heat to low, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the carrots are tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Off the heat, mash the carrots with a potato masher, leaving a few coarse pieces for texture. Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons oil and vinegar. Transfer to a bowl, cover, and refrigerate until the dip is chilled, about 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste and sprinkle with the cilantro before serving. The dip can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Season with additional vinegar, salt and pepper to taste and sprinkle with the cilantro before serving.
• Adjust the oven racks to the upper-middle and lower-middle positions and heat the oven to 350 degrees. Spread the pita wedges, smooth-side down, over 2 rimmed baking sheets. Spray the top of each chip with oil and then sprinkle with the salt.
• Bake the chips until they begin to crisp and brown lightly, 8 to 10 minutes. Flip the chips over so their smooth side is facing up and continue to bake until the chips are fully toasted, 8 to 10 minutes longer. Remove the baking sheets from the oven and let cool before serving.
• To make Garlic-Herb Pita Chips, mix 1½ teaspoons garlic powder and 2 tablespoons minced fresh thyme, basil, or oregano with the salt before sprinkling it over the chips in step 1.
• To make Chili-Spiced Pita Chips, mix 1 tablespoon chili powder (or you can substitute curry powder or smoked paprika), ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and a pinch cayenne pepper with the salt before sprinkling it over the chips in step 1.

MOROCCAN CARROT HUMMUS DIP

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the pine nuts on one side of a baking sheet and the cumin seeds on the other side, not mixing the two together. Toast the nuts and spices until fragrant and browning in spots, 6 to 7 minutes. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let cool.
• Cut the tops off the carrots and reserve. Peel the carrots and chop them into 1-inch pieces.
• Fill a medium wide-mouthed pot with 2 inches of water. Set a collapsible steamer basket insert into the pot, then bring to a simmer over high heat. Put the carrots in the steamer basket and cook, covered, until the largest pieces are tender when pierced with a knife, 10 to 12 minutes.
• Puree the carrots and chickpeas with a food processor until blended. Add the orange juice, tahini, reserved cumin seeds and 2 teaspoons salt and continue to process until the mixture is smooth and light and very well blended, about 5 minutes, scraping down the bowl as necessary. Transfer the carrot hummus to a medium bowl and reserve.
• Pick 1/2 cup packed leaves off of the stems of the carrot tops and reserve. Discard the stems. Pulse the garlic and all but 1 teaspoon of the pine nuts in a food processor until coarsely ground. Add the carrot top leaves, mint, 1/4 teaspoon salt and all but 1/4 teaspoon of the orange zest and pulse until finely chopped. With the processor on, slowly drizzle in the oil and process until blended well.
• Spread half of the carrot hummus in the bottom of a medium glass serving bowl. Spread 1/2 cup Greek yogurt on top. Spread the remaining carrot hummus over that. Spread the pesto into a wide circle in the center and drop a dollop of the remaining 1/4 cup yogurt in the center of the pesto. Sprinkle with the remaining teaspoon pine nuts and 1/4 teaspoon orange zest. Serve with toasted pita triangles.

MOROCCAN CARROT DIP

Steps:

• Put carrots, garlic, ginger, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a large saucepan. Add 2 cups water to cover. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, until carrots are tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Drain.
• Transfer carrot mixture to a food processor along with remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, apricot preserves, lemon juice, sesame oil, coriander, and cayenne. Process until almost smooth.

MOROCCAN CARROT DIP

Steps:

• Cook the chopped carrot and garlic in simmering, salted water, for about 20 minutes or until soft.
• Drain well, then return them to the hot, dry pan for a minute or two, over medium heat, to dry them out further.
• Tip the carrots and garlic into the food processor bowl, and process until smooth.
• Add the cumin, paprika, ginger, cinnamon, cayenne, sea salt, honey and lemon juice and whizz again.
• With the machine still running, add the olive oil gradually.
• Allow to cool.
• Spoon into a serving bowl, drizzle with a little extra olive oil, scatter with olives and cilantro leaves, and serve with lightly warmed flat bread for dipping.