Count Down the Festive Holidays with Carrots
Tuesday 29th September 2009
Loved and adored by children, adults and Rudolph the red nosed reindeer alike, this tasty vegetable won't go to waste or break the bank.
If there's one ingredient you shouldn't be without this festive season, it's the humble carrot. Loved and adored by children, adults and Rudolph the red nosed reindeer alike, this tasty vegetable won't go to waste or break the bank.
On Christmas Eve: make sure you leave out some carrots for the reindeer along with a tipple and mince pies for Santa.
On Christmas Day: you could whizz up a classic carrot and coriander soup and serve it as a light starter it'll be ideal for your vegetarian guests too and means not having to cook up a second starter. Or glaze battened carrots in chardonnay and chive butter for a special vegetable side to go with the main feast. And if you've been so busy with buying and preparing the turkey and trimmings that you've forgotten all about Christmas pudding, fear not. We've got a delicious cheat's Christmas carrot pudding that will save the day and doesn't need months of lacing with alcohol.
On Boxing Day: there's no need to recreate the wheel and cook up meals from scratch. Why not use up the leftovers? A frugal boxing day feast will save a few pennies and cut down the time you have to spend in the kitchen. Try a tasty Turkey Fricassee with Tarragon Carrots which uses up leftover turkey, white wine, turkey gravy and rice. And if there are any leftover carrots sitting in the salad draw you could rustle up a swanky coleslaw Carrot and Celeriac Remoulade which is utterly delicious and only takes 10 minutes to make.
Not only are carrots a delicious ingredient for all your festive feasts, they're also the perfect ingredient to help keep you feeling good. They're brimming with the powerful antioxidant beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A in the body. In fact, of all fruit and vegetables, carrots are actually the best source of beta-carotene - an 80g serving contains more than twice the recommended daily amount (RDA) needed by adults. Vitamin A aids the growth of healthy bones and teeth and is essential for the proper functioning of the immune system. Carrots are also high in fibre, naturally low in fat and saturates and count as one of your five-a-day.
The delicious recipes on our website will certainly impress your guests and can be prepared effortlessly and in very little time.