Tuesday, April 2, 2019

These Herbs and Vegetables are 100 Percent Worth Growing Yourself

Why These Vegetables Aren’t Worth Growing in Your Yard

This Bunch of 11 Carrot Recipes Gives Them a Starring Role

spicy carrot hummus recipe

Carrots are a kitchen staple, a background player flavoring stocks and sauces and adding color to green salads and stir-fries, but they’re worthy of a starring role on the table too, especially in spring, when baby carrots are at their peak (and we’re not talking about those little nubs that come in plastic bags). There are a world of possibilities for showcasing carrots of any color and stage of life, from spicy dips and salads where they’re the main ingredient to more uncommon dishes like risotto and custard that play up carrots’ natural sweetness.

Classic glazed carrots, pickled carrots, and roasted carrots all still have their (very welcome) place at the table, but we’re picking this bunch of carrot recipes as our favorites for spring—just in time for Easter, too.

1. Carrot Risotto

carrot risotto recipe

Chowhound

Risotto is great for showcasing lots of different ingredients, from mushrooms to seafood, but this carrot-rich vegetarian version really packs in the flavor (and color!) of the bright root vegetable thanks to a carrot broth in place of chicken stock. Oh, and there’s carrot puree stirred in along with grated carrots—plus parmesan cheese, of course. Get our Carrot Risotto recipe.

2. Shaved Carrot Salad

Easy Moroccan Shaved Carrot Salad recipe

Chowhound

Using a vegetable peeler to shave long, thin strips of carrot for a curly salad is a neat trick—and the flavors of spicy harissa, earthy cumin and caraway, fresh mint and parsley, and a bright shot of lemon play beautifully off the naturally sweet carrots. The salty feta provides even more flavor, and a nice textural contrast. Basically, you’re gonna be eating this all the time. Get our Shaved Carrot Salad recipe.

3. Carrot, Leek, and Parsley Mash

carrot leek mash with parsley

Chowhound

Mashed potatoes are awesome and we’re not going to try to pretend otherwise. But carrots can totally give them a run for their money. Okay, maybe this coarse-yet-creamy combo of carrots, leeks, and parsley wouldn’t be the thing you want to eat doused in gravy, but it makes a great base for orange-thyme chicken thighs or roasted pork loin, just for starters. Serve it at a spring dinner and save the new potatoes for simply roasting. Get our Carrot, Leek, and Parsley Mash recipe.

4. Creamy Carrot Casserole

Creamy Carrot Casserole recipe

Chowhound

This casserole might not win any beauty contests, but it tastes amazing. The flavor is mostly from the carrots themselves, enhanced with salt, pepper, heavy cream, and a crisp topping of garlic panko breadcrumbs. Get our Creamy Carrot Casserole recipe.

5. Carrot Chips

Homemade Carrot Chips recipe

Chowhound

Healthier, prettier, and just as tasty as plain old potato chips, these delicate carrot chips are also easy to make—just use your oven, no dehydrator required. Get our Carrot Chips recipe.

6. Curried Carrot Soup

curried carrot soup recipe

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A smooth puree of carrots, curry powder, and coconut milk makes for a satisfying soup, whether you serve it warm while nights are still chilly, or pop it in the fridge for a refreshing warmer weather lunch. (And if you prefer a chunkier texture, check out our Curried Potato and Carrot Soup instead.) Garnish with those carrot chips for extra oomph. Get our Curried Carrot Soup recipe.

7. Spicy Carrot Hummus

spicy carrot hummus recipe

Chowhound

There’s almost nothing you can’t blend into hummus, but chances are you haven’t tried it with carrots yet. You should! They lend not only dynamite flavor and color to the dip, but extra nutrition too. A shot of harissa gives this a nice amount of smoky spice to balance the sweetness. Get our Spicy Carrot Hummus recipe.

8. French Lentil Terrine with Savory Carrot Custard

individual picnic terrines with French lentils and carrot custard

Chowhound

Another smooth move: this creamy, light, and airy carrot custard (baked with eggs and cream). You could make it all in one larger baking dish for a simple side, or in individual jars like we did for our picnic-perfect terrines. (The top two layers are French lentils with goat cheese, and sauteed leeks and zucchini with fresh thyme.) Get our French Lentil Terrine with Savory Carrot Custard recipe.

9. Carrot Slaw

Carrot Slaw recipe

Chowhound

You can eat this mustard-kissed carrot slaw as a simple salad alongside grilled or roasted meats, or use it as a flavor-packed condiment with great crunch. Try it on tacos, in rice or grain bowls, or on sandwiches. Get our Carrot Slaw recipe.

10. Easy Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Easy Carrot Cake reicpe with Cream Cheese Frosting

Chowhound

Of course we couldn’t forget about carrot cake—which, admittedly, doesn’t seem to star carrots in quite the same way these other recipes do, except in name. There’s definitely a lot of flour, sugar, butter, and cream cheese going on, but still, there’s one and a half pounds of grated carrots present too—not bad for a dessert! (Try a cardamom-spiced variation for a twist.) Get our Easy Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting recipe.

11. Carrot Cake Pancakes

Carrot Cake Pancakes recipe with Cream Cheese Glaze

Chowhound

And if you want to eat carrots for breakfast (or breakfast for dessert), try these carrot cake pancakes with a decadent, drippy cream cheese glaze. They’re packed with grated carrots and plenty of spices for a classically comforting bite, any time of day. Get our Carrot Cake Pancakes recipe.

Celebrate all the best of spring.

Related Video: How to Revive a Dying Carrot

This post was originally published on February 8, 2014 and was updated on April 2, 2019.



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Martha Stewart’s New Gardening Collection at Walmart Is Perfect for Spring

Walmart Martha Stewart gardening tools

Martha Stewart isn’t just a pro in the kitchen, she’s also an expert when it comes to gardening and all things home-related. Luckily, the domestic goddess is sharing some beautiful gardening tools in her new Walmart collection that will help you nurture your own green thumb this spring. They’d also make great Mother’s Day gifts for moms who love Martha (and gardening, of course)!

Mini Round Point Digging Shovel, $20 at Walmart

Martha Stewart Walmart garden shovel

Walmart

The small design of this shovel makes it perfect for working in smaller gardens or above-ground flower beds. It’s 27 inches tall and has an 8-inch round blade that’s perfect for cutting through soil. (See what’s worth planting in your own garden if you’re not sure where to start.)Buy Now

Electric Hand-Carry Portable Pressure Washer, $89 at Walmart (originally $119)

Martha Stewart Walmart pressure washer

Walmart

Only Martha Stewart could make a pressure washer cute. This handy gadget is lightweight and has an adjustable nozzle. It also has a detergent tank that allows for jet sprays as well as gentle sprays—depending on your project. (Then, get great outdoor entertaining tips to spotlight your newly pristine patio.)Buy Now

Heavy Duty Garden Bag, $24 at Walmart (originally $32.06)

Walmart Martha Stewart gardening bag

Walmart

This bag is perfect for a day in the garden. It features elastic fasteners, a convenient shoulder strap, and easy-to-clean canvas. As Martha would say, “It’s a good thing.” (There’s also a heavy-duty green garden bag if you want to color-coordinate, equally suitable for collecting lawn trimmings and hauling home farmers’ market produce.)Buy Now

Japanese Artisanal Stainless Steel Hedge Shears, $52 at Walmart

Walmart Martha Stewart garden shears

Walmart

These bright hedge trimmers are tough and very easy to use. They feature stainless steel blades and lengthy hardwood handles that make trimming easy. (Check out Martha’s Japanese gardening knife too.)Buy Now

Stainless Steel Digging Tool Set, $80 at Walmart (originally $99)

Walmart Martha Stewart gardening tool set

Walmart

This set comes complete with a shovel, a garden fork, and a spade—perfect for the person who’s just trying to get into gardening for the first time! All of the tools feature hardwood handles and stainless steel blades. (In addition to knowing what you should grow, see which vegetables aren’t worth cultivating yourself.)Buy Now

Electric Handheld Chainsaw, $45 at Walmart (originally $59.99)

Walmart Martha Stewart chainsaw

Walmart

This little chainsaw is lightweight and energy efficient. It also has a built-in safety switch to make sure you can continue having fun while gardening.Buy Now

Real Copper Bird Feeder, $50 at Walmart (originally $86)

Walmart Martha Stewart bird feeder

Walmart

Not only is this copper bird feeder beautiful, it features four feeding ports and built-in drain holes so that your birds stay happy! They’ve got to eat too; why not in style?Buy Now

All Purpose Plant Food, $8 at Walmart (originally $25.24)

Walmart Martha Stewart plant food

Walmart

Your plants, vegetables, and shrubs will be happy and nourished with this amazing and super-affordable plant food. It contains nutrients and microbes that will leave all types of plants healthy and thriving. Did you know that you can also eat your flowers?Buy Now

Check out the full Martha Stewart garden line at Walmart—or if your mom doesn’t have a green thumb, maybe she’d like something from the Sur la Table spring sale instead?

Visit our Mother’s Day headquarters for even more great ideas.

All featured products are curated independently by our editors. When you buy something through our retail links, we may receive a commission. For more great hand-picked products, check out the Chowhound Shop.



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Potato Dinner Rolls

Potato rolls! So soft and fluffy. These are THE BEST dinner rolls ever. Perfect for Thanksgiving dinner or for sandwich sliders.

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