Recipes for Carrots and Celery

 

Glazed Carrots with Toasted Almonds
Carrots and Broccoli with Hijiki
Carrot Orange Salad
Cream of Celery Soup

Glazed Carrots with Toasted Almonds*

2 lbs. carrots
1 cup water
3 tbsp. butter [or olive oil]
1/2 tsp. salt
3 tbsp. honey
2 tsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. cinnamon (or ginger)
1/2 cup chopped toasted almonds

Cook carrots in water until tender.

Add the remaining ingredients (except almonds) and stir until water disappears and carrots are shiny with glaze. *From Mama Never Cooked Like This. Published by Talon Books.

Carrots and Broccoli with Hijiki*

Hijiki, also known as hiziki, is a black seaweed rich in trace mineral. Toasted sesame oil brings a rich nutty flavour that blend exceptionally well with hijiki. Rice syrup is a mild subtle sweetener that takes the edge off the strong-tasting hijiki.

2 tsp. dried hijiki seaweed
2 tbsp. veg. stock or 1 tbsp. canola oil
1/4 tsp. toasted sesame oil
1 red onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp. peeled grated gingerroot
1 1/2 cups sliced carrots
1 1/2 cups broccoli florets
1 tsp. tamari or soy sauce
1 tbsp. rice syrup or honey

Soak hijiki in bowl of water for at least 15 minutes. Rinse under cold water. In large skillet, sauté onion, garlic and ginger in canola and sesame oil until onions are soft. Add carrots and broccoli; sauté for 3 minutes. Stir in rinsed hijiki, tamari and sweetener. *From Cooking Vegetarian. Published by Macmillan Canada.

Carrot Orange Salad*

2 or 3 large carrots, peeled and grated (about 4 cups)
2 navel oranges
2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp. honey
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

Place the grated carrots in a bowl large enough to hold the completed salad and set it aside.

Slice off the ends of the oranges, place each one, cut side down, on the working surface and slice down the curved sides with broad strokes all of the way around, positioning the knife just deep enough to remove the peel and all of the white pith. Holding each peeled orange over the serving bowl, slip a paring knife between the membrane and one of the sides of each orange section, cut in toward the center of the orange, and then cut back out the other side with a motion resembling a V.

The orange section will fall into the bowl. Repeat this process around the entire orange and then squeeze the juice from the membrane into the bowl. Combine the lemon juice, honey, and cinnamon in a small bowl and pour over the carrot-orange mixture. Before serving, allow the salad to sit for at least 10 minutes so the flavors will mingle. *From Moosewood Restaurant Low-Fat Favourites. Clarkson Potter Publishers.

Cream of Celery Soup*

If you've already tried peanut butter filled celery sticks or used chopped celery into other favourite dishes, try this simple soup.

5 cups of celery, chopped in moons
1 cup water
1 cup milk or plain soymilk
1-2 tbsp. tamari or soy sauce
2-4 tsp. white onion, chopped
2 vegetable bouillon cubes
1 tsp. vegetable broth powder

Few dashes (optional):
cayenne pepper, sea kelp and sea salt.

Simmer the chopped celery in 1 cup water for 5-8 minutes until fairly tender. Remove 1 cup of the steamed celery and set it aside.

Blend the remaining 4 cups of celery and the leftover water with the milk and all remaining ingredients until liquefied.

Put the blended mixture back into the simmering pot with the 1 cup sliced celery and bring them up to a low bubble on medium-low heat.

Once it starts to simmer, turn the temperature to low and heat for 8-15 minutes until the flavours mingle. Correct seasonings to taste. Keeps refrigerated 4-6 days. Do not freeze. *From Hearty Vegetarian Soups and Stews. Harbour Publishing.

bugus@ladybugorganics.com