Braised Carrots With Dried Plums Prunes Recipes

MAPLE-BRAISED CARROTS

Steps:

• Trim and peel 1 1/2 pounds carrots; halve lengthwise and crosswise. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 teaspoons grated ginger and cook 30 seconds. Add the carrots, 3 tablespoons maple syrup, 4 strips lemon zest, 2 thyme sprigs, 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, a pinch of cayenne and 1/2 cup water; stir. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer until tender but still saucy, 15 minutes. Discard the thyme; top with chopped chives.

BRAISED CARROTS WITH DRIED PLUMS (PRUNES)

Steps:

• Cut the prunes in half, and cut the carrots into 1/2-inch-thick slices.
• In a 3-qt. saucepan, combine all ingredients. Heat to boiling on high. Reduce heat to medium; simmer, stirring occasionally, 15-20 minutes or until liquid evaporates and carrots are glazed. Serve at once.

NO-PEEL BRAISED CARROTS

Steps:

• Heat the vegetable stock, then tip the carrots into a deep frying pan. Add the butter, sugar, fennel seeds and the hot stock. Season to taste.
• Simmer, uncovered, over a medium heat for 25-30 mins or until the carrots are cooked through and the liquid is reduced and glossy.

BEEF BRISKET BRAISED WITH DRIED FRUIT, YAMS AND CARROTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F. Heat oil in heavy large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onions and garlic and cook until beginning to brown, stirring frequently, about 15 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon paprika, allspice and crushed red pepper and stir 20 seconds. Add chicken stock, wine and bay leaves. Boil 10 minutes to blend flavors.
• Sprinkle brisket with paprika and rub in. Add brisket to pot, fat side up. Add dried apricots and pitted prunes. Cover and bake 1 1/2 hours.
• Add yams and carrots to pot. Cover and cook until brisket is very tender, about 2 1/2 hours longer. Remove from oven and let stand 20 minutes. Remove brisket from pot and slice thinly across grain. Arrange on platter. Degrease pan juices. Spoon pan juices over meat. Arrange fruit and vegetables around meat. Garnish with minced fresh parsley and serve. (Can be prepared 2 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate before slicing meat. To serve, remove meat from pot and slice thinly across grain. Remove any solid fat from sauce. Return sliced meat to pot. Place pot in 325°F oven and bake until brisket is heated through, about 30 minutes.)

BRAISED CARROTS

Steps:

• Cut carrots into 1/8 in rounds or 1/4 in dice.
• In a wide, low pot melt butter over medium heat, add carrots and cook about 3 minutes, stirring frequently until carrots have a "glazed" look.
• Add, sugar and cook another minute.
• Add salt and 1/4 cup hot water, cover, reduce heat to medium low and let cook until carrots are done, checking and stirring occasionally. Add a little more water if necessary to prevent sticking. Dish should be almost dry when done.
• I usually cook for 10 minutes but cooking time can vary considerably due to age and sort of carrots as well as your your personal preference.
• When done serve sprinkled with a little parsley or chervil (which is nice with fish).

STOVETOP-BRAISED CARROTS AND PARSNIPS

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients except lemon juice and garnish in a skillet with a cover; add a quarter cup of water. Bring to a boil, then cover and adjust heat so mixture simmers gently. Check every few minutes and add more water if necessary.
• Cook until the vegetables are tender and the liquid is almost gone, about a half-hour. Uncover and boil off remaining liquid if necessary, then taste and adjust seasoning, adding lemon juice as needed. Garnish and serve hot, warm or at room temperature.

BRAISED CARROTS WITH PARMESAN CHEESE

Steps:

• Peel the carrots, wash them in cold water, and slice them into 3/8 inch disks. The thin tapered ends can be cut thicker. Choose a saute pan that can contain the carrot rounds spread in a single snug layer, without overlapping. Put in the carrots and butter, and enough water to come ¼ inch up the sides. If you do not have a single pan large enough, use two smaller ones, dividing the carrots and butter equally between them. Turn on the heat to medium. Do not cover the pan.
• Cook until the water has evaporated, then add salt and the ¼ teaspoon of sugar. Continue cooking, adding from 2 to 3 tablespoons water as needed. Your objective is to end up with well-browned, wrinkled carrot disks, concentrated in flavor and texture. It will take between 1 and 1½ hours, during which time you much watch them, even while you do other things in the kitchen. Stop adding water when they begin to reach the wrinkled, browned stage, because there must be no liquid left at the end. In 30 minutes or a little more, the carrots will become so reduced in bulk that, if you have been using two pans, you will be able to combine them in a single pan.
• When done - they should be very tender - add the grated Parmesan, turn the carrots over completely once or twice, transfer them to a warm platter, and serve at once.