Orange Delights: 6 Carrot-Centered Side Dishes

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Photo by: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Carrots are a year-round staple but it’s time to give these bright-orange beauties the spotlight on the dinner table. We might be used to mincing and dicing carrots into oblivion for use in fried rice or shepherd’s pie, but they can be the star in a stellar side dish, best prepared simply to enhance their sweet, earthy flavor.

Forget about dicing or shredding. Left in their full-form glory, these sophisticated knife-and-fork carrots are steamed until tender and dressed with a sweet and tangy sauce of honey, lemon, Dijon mustard and red wine vinegar.

Food Network's Carrot, Date and Feta Salad

Food Network's Carrot, Date and Feta Salad

Photo by: Tara Donne ©FOOD NETWORK : 2012, Television Food Network, G.P.

Tara Donne, FOOD NETWORK : 2012, Television Food Network, G.P.

Though this may look like a modern art masterpiece of three-dimensional brushstrokes, it's easier to make than you might imagine. Cut thin ribbon slices of carrot, using a vegetable peeler or mandoline, and soak the strips in ice water. Serve with a simple dressing of cilantro, olive oil and honey, and a topping of feta cheese, almonds and dates.

For this ribboned carrot dish, make your own gomasio seasoning by grinding up toasted sesame seeds and sea salt. Build a tangy sauce with a kick using Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, curry powder and sriracha powder.

A carrot dish with a large silve spoon in a dark blue bowl

FNM101909-53.tif

A carrot dish with a large silve spoon in a dark blue bowl

©marcus nilsson, Food Stylist: Jamie Kimm Prop stylist: Robyn Glaser

marcus nilsson, Food Stylist: Jamie Kimm Prop stylist: Robyn Glaser

An easy carrot salad made with cilantro and lime juice gets an interesting twist in the form of shredded coconut, toasted with cumin seeds.

For a quick-cooking dish, make Ina Garten’s 5-star recipe in 15 minutes with just five ingredients. The carrots are simply seasoned with salt and pepper, sauteed in butter and tossed with fresh dill (or parsley) for herbaceous flavor.

Chef Name: Giada De Laurentiis

Full Recipe Name: Carrot Fries with Lemon-Mint Dip 

Talent Recipe: Giada De Laurentiisâ   Carrot Fries with Lemon-Mint Dip, as seen on Giada at Home

FNK Recipe: 

Project: Foodnetwork.com, Back to School/Sandwich Central/Dinner and a Movie/Sides

Show Name: Giada at Home


Food Network / Cooking Channel: Food Network

GiadaDeLaurentiis_CarrotFriesWithLemonMintDip_H

Chef Name: Giada De Laurentiis Full Recipe Name: Carrot Fries with Lemon-Mint Dip Talent Recipe: Giada De Laurentiis’ Carrot Fries with Lemon-Mint Dip, as seen on Giada at Home FNK Recipe: Project: Foodnetwork.com, Back to School/Sandwich Central/Dinner and a Movie/Sides Show Name: Giada at Home Food Network / Cooking Channel: Food Network

Photo by: Renee Comet ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Renee Comet, 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Don't let potatoes have all the fun. You can fry carrots too! Pair with a refreshing dip made from sour cream, mint and lemon juice.

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