Braised Carrots with Greek Yogurt & Fresh Mint
This gorgeous side dish is freshened up with creamy yogurt and fragrant mint.
Ingredients:
1 bunch carrots, greens removed and reserved for another use, then peeled and cut into large matchsticks
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons freshly-squeezed lemon juice
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
¼ cup Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons finely-chopped mint
Method:
1. Melt butter in a large heavy sauté pan over medium-low heat. Add the carrots, cover, and braise, stirring occasionally, until carrots are fork-tender, 20–30 minutes.
2. Remove from heat and season to taste with salt and pepper, then drizzle carrots with lemon juice and toss to coat. Transfer to a serving platter and finish the dish with a healthy scoop of sheep’s milk yogurt and scattered mint over the top.
Carrots with Brown Butter & Mint
Sweet spring carrots tossed in nutty brown butter and finished with fresh mint—a simple, elegant side that brings warmth and brightness to the table.
Ingredients:
1 pound carrots, peeled and cut into sticks or left whole if small
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1–2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves, torn
1 teaspoon honey (optional)
Squeeze of fresh lemon juice
Salt and freshly cracked black pepper
Method:
1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add carrots and cook until just tender, about 5–7 minutes. Drain well.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Continue cooking, swirling occasionally, until the butter turns golden brown and smells nutty.
3. Add olive oil and carrots to the pan, tossing to coat. Cook for 2–3 minutes, allowing the carrots to lightly caramelize at the edges.
4. Remove from heat and toss with mint, a drizzle of honey (if using), and a squeeze of lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper.
Butter-Braised Carrots with Thyme
Braised in sweet butter and tossed with garlic and thyme, these carrots are truly sublime.
Ingredients:
1½ pounds carrots, peeled and cut into thick matchsticks
2 tablespoons butter
2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced (if desired)
2 thyme sprigs
1¾ cups chicken stock
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 375°. In a large ovenproof skillet (one that has an accompanying lid, which will be used later), melt the butter over moderately low heat. Add the carrots, garlic and thyme and season with salt and pepper. Cook, tossing frequently, until the carrots are tender but not browned, about 10 minutes. Add the chicken stock, bring to a boil and remove from the heat.
2. Cover the skillet with the lid. Braise the carrots in the oven for about 30 minutes, or until they are very tender. Discard the thyme sprigs and serve.
Tzatziki
This signature Greek condiment is wonderful served with this week’s lemon chicken and potatoes.
Ingredients:
2 cups Greek yogurt
1 large cucumber, diced
2 tablespoons olive oil
Juice from ½ lemon
1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped
3 garlic cloves, peeled
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
In a bowl, combine yogurt, cucumber, olive oil, lemon juice, fresh herbs and garlic. Stir until mixed, then season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to a separate dish, cover and refrigerate for at least one hour for the best flavor.
Roasted Golden Beets & Carrots with White Balsamic Dressing
This colorful dish is tossed with a slightly-sweet dressing anchored by fresh garlic scapes.
Ingredients:
6 golden beets, trimmed of greens, leaving 1-inch of stem attached
1 bunch carrots, trimmed of greens and cut into ¾-inch matchsticks
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
2 tablespoons freshly chopped green herbs, such as parsley and mint
For dressing:
½ cup olive oil
¼ cup white balsamic vinegar
1-2 tablespoons honey
1 finely-minced garlic scape
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 425°. Wrap beets tightly in foil and roast in the oven until tender, about 1 hour. Meanwhile, toss carrots with oil and salt and pepper to taste in a shallow baking pan.
2. Remove beets from oven and then roast carrots in the oven at the same temperature until tender, about 20 minutes.
3. While carrots are roasting, unwrap beets and, when just cool enough to handle, slip off skins and remove stems. Cut beets into wedges.
4. To make the vinaigrette, whisk olive oil, white balsamic vinegar, honey, salt, pepper, and garlic scapes together in a bowl until smooth.
5. Transfer carrots and beets to a serving platter and drizzle with the vinaigrette, seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with freshly-chopped herbs; can be served either warm or at room temperature.
Braised Turnips & Carrots
Simmered in rich chicken stock, this dish is finished with lemon juice and thyme for fresh appeal.
Ingredients:
½ pound purple top turnips, green tops removed
½ pound carrots, green tops removed
1 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 peeled shallots
1 cup chicken stock
Juice from ½ lemon
3 tablespoons fresh thyme
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Wash and scrub both the turnip and carrots, then cut into 1-inch-long pieces.
2. Heat butter and oil over medium-high heat in a large sauce pan, then and add shallots, turnips and carrots. Sauté for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until vegetables begin to caramelize.
3. Add chicken stock, and a dash each of salt and pepper. Cover with a lid and turn heat down to low. Let simmer for another 10 minutes, or until stock has mostly been absorbed by veggies. Add lemon juice and fresh thyme, then season to taste with more salt and pepper as needed. Serve warm.
Spring Onion & Green Garlic Labneh
This creamy spring onion and green garlic labneh from Chef Nicco Muratore is brightened with lemon and mint—an ideal, tangy counterpoint to rich, spiced dishes like lamb meatballs.
Ingredients:
1 spring onions
4 sprigs parsley
4 sprigs mint
1 stalk green garlic
1 cup labneh or Greek yogurt
1 lemon, zested and juiced
1 teaspoon dried mint
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
Method:
1. Mince the bottom bulb of the spring onion and then finely slice the greens. Pick the parsley and mint off the stems and finely chiffonade the herbs. Mince the green garlic stalk.
2. In a mixing bowl, add the labneh, minced onion, garlic and fresh herbs, plus lemon zest and juice, dried mint, salt and olive oil. Mix until combined and taste for acid and salt, adjusting if necessary. Serve alongside grilled meats.
Moroccan Beet Salad
Kissed with freshly-squeezed orange juice, cilantro and mint, this salad will brighten up any spread.
Ingredients:
6 golden beets, tops removed
1 red onion, cut in half and thinly sliced
1 teaspoon olive oil
¼ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
1 teaspoon orange zest
2 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon salt
¼ cup fresh mint leaves, packed
¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves, packed
Method:
1. In a large pot bring enough water to cover beets to a boil. Add in beets and allow to simmer until beets are tender enough to be pierced with a fork, about 35-40 minutes. Remove from the pot and allow beets to cool completely. While running under cold water, remove the skins from the beets using a peeler. Cut beets into 2” pieces and set aside.
2. In a small bowl combine orange juice, olive oil, cumin and salt. Stir well and set aside.
3. In a large bowl add in beets, fresh mint, fresh cilantro, sliced onions and dressing and toss until everything is mixed together. Top with more fresh herbs and serve.
Grapefruit, Lime & Mint Yogurt Parfaits
These luscious and light parfaits are an excellent accompaniment to brunch fare!
Ingredients:
4 large red grapefruit, or a combination of grapefruit and other fresh citrus fruit
4 cups reduced-fat plain yogurt
2 teaspoons grated lime zest
2 tablespoons lime juice
3 tablespoons honey
Torn fresh mint leaves
Method:
1. Cut a thin slice from the top and bottom of each grapefruit; stand fruit upright on a cutting board. With a knife, cut off peel and outer membrane from grapefruit. Cut along the membrane of each segment to remove fruit.
2. In a large bowl, mix yogurt, lime zest and juice. Layer half of the grapefruit and half of the yogurt mixture into 6 parfait glasses. Repeat layers. Drizzle with honey; top with mint.
Carrot & Apple Saute with Rosemary
This beautiful combination sings with fresh flavor.
Ingredients:
1 bunch carrots, trimmed of greens, peeled and chopped into matchsticks
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tart apples, peeled, cored and cut into ½-inch wedges
2 tablespoons finely-chopped shallots
2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Put the carrots in a skillet and add just enough salted water to cover. Cover and bring them to a boil over high heat. Reduce the carrots to medium-low and simmer until the carrots are crisp-tender, 4-5 minutes. Drain and set the carrots aside.
2. Dry the skillet and return it to the stove. Add 1 tablespoon of the butter and melt it over medium-high heat. Add the apples and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Stir in the shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, until they soften, about 1 minute.
3. Add the carrots with the remaining tablespoon butter and rosemary. Cook, stirring occasionally, until they are well combined and the carrots are hot. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve.