So simple, but not so obvious. Cooking carrots may be very common, but have you ever wondered if you’re doing it right?
Yes, there is a right way to cook carrots. But why? Not to lose nutrients, flavor and texture.
Shall we do it right from now on? Learn the step by step how to cook carrots in this post, come and see.
Carrot Benefits
The carrot is an orange-colored root, slightly sweet flavor and firm texture. Perfect for the most varied types of dish.
Rich in vitamin A, carrots are one of the greatest allies of vision health. Just to give you an idea, a portion of just 100 grams of carrot provides approximately 334% of the daily requirement of vitamin A, that is, more than enough to keep your stock up to date.
Regular carrot consumption would be able to reduce by up to 40% the risk of macular degeneration, a disease related to wear and tear of the retina, very common in people over 50 years.
But the carrot is not only beneficial for the sight of adults. According to UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund), the daily intake of carrots would contribute significantly to the reduction of cases of childhood blindness.
And what else does the carrot have to offer? The root is also very suitable for preventing coronary heart disease, since carrots strengthen the cardiovascular system thanks to the presence of vitamin K.
A study published by International Journal of Epidemiology concluded that regular carrot consumption is also beneficial for preventing lung cancer. The study suggests that eating two to three servings of carrots per week is capable of reducing the risk of lung cancer in smokers by up to three times.
In addition to all this, carrots are still a source of calcium, iron, manganese, potassium, vitamin C and B vitamins. In other words, there is no lack of reasons for you to add this tasty root to your plate.
How to choose carrots
The first step in having delicious carrots is knowing how to choose them very well. For this, the best tip is to always go to the open market, since the products are always more fresh.
Prefer those with branches that are preserved for longer and avoid carrots with cracks, dark spots or greenish tones near the stalk, this indicates that the carrot is getting bitter.
How to cook carrot
In the common pot
The most popular way to cook carrots is in the pan with boiling water. The process is valid, but it is important to know that this method ends up eliminating many nutrients in the water. Therefore, refer to it only when you are in a hurry.
To cook carrots in the common pan is very simple: wash the carrot skin with the help of a brush. It is not necessary to remove the peel, only if the recipe calls for a finer and more delicate texture, as is the case with a puree, for example.
Then, cut the carrots as you prefer (into slices, cubes, toothpicks, etc.) and place in the pan with enough water to cover. Remembering that the bigger the cut of the carrot, the longer it will take to cook, so if you want to speed up cooking, cut it into small pieces.
Add a pinch of salt. If you want to add flavor, you can cook the carrots with some herb of your choice, such as rosemary or thyme.
Cover the pan in half and when it starts boiling, count about eight to ten minutes. Stick one of the carrots and check the spot. If you want softer carrots, let them cook longer.
At the end of cooking, drain the water and continue with your recipe or just season the carrots with pepper, olive oil and a few drops of lemon.
In the pressure cooker
The pressure cooker is the best friend of those in a hurry. And in the case of carrots it is a great ally.
Here, the process is similar to the previous one, that is, you must first wash the carrots thoroughly and then place them in the pan with a pinch of salt.
Close the pan and when you start to get pressure, count five minutes and turn off.
The pressure cooker is indicated when you want to cook the whole carrots, but you do not want to wait too long, as this method is much faster.
Steamed
The steam cooking method is the best way to preserve the nutrients of the carrot (and any other food).
The process is also simple, but it takes a little longer. Start by washing the carrots very well. Then cut them into small pieces to facilitate cooking, it can be sticks, cubes or small rings.
Place the carrots in the steam basket (without overfilling it) taking care that it does not touch the water. Take it to the fire and when it boils, count about ten to fifteen minutes.
In the oven
This tip on how to cook carrots is perfect for those who are passionate about a crunchy cone and caramelized flavor.
To cook carrots in the oven, you just need to wash them well, cut them (usually on sticks or larger cuts) and season with the herbs of your choice. A good tip is to use salt, black pepper and a mix of herbs, such as rosemary, thyme and oregano.
Drizzle with olive oil and bake for about 30 minutes or until you get the desired texture. If you want them to be softer, cover them with aluminum foil for the first ten minutes of cooking.
How to cook carrots in the microwave
Finally, but still an option is to cook the carrots in the microwave. The process includes washing and cutting the carrots into small pieces (chopsticks or slices).
Then, place them on a plate or pot with enough water to cover them. Cover the dish with a plastic wrap or microwave-safe lid.
Turn the device on at full power for six minutes and you are ready.
Now that you know how to cook carrots, what do you think about preparing these cute ones today?
