Friday, October 25, 2013

Eh....What's up, Doc?

Freshly grated, it gives any salad a delightful crunch.
Some like it raw, chopped like sticks to munch.
They might make an unlikely appearance in a cake, that's rustic and best homemade.
They are so good, Bugs Bunny is hardly seen with 'em!

If you haven't guessed it already, we are talking about CARROTS!

Carrots are a versatile ingredient that can be used in sweet and savory dishes. What's not to like about a warm slice of carrot cake with a layer of cream cheese frosting that's sold at many cafes. It's just as good when made into a thick creamy soup, served with crusty bread. I guess I can wax lyrical about the immense uses of carrots in cuisine, but did you know that they are one of the world's superfoods.

They are best known for improving vision and reducing the risk of cancers. Carrots contain beta-carotene that converts into Vitamin A in the body and improves vision. They are also high in fiber. Carrots also help improve the health of your pearly whites. Some Ayurvedic traditions recommend chewing on raw carrot as preventive measure for tooth decay or gum ailments. The entire carrot is edible. So don't chuck that green carrot leaf! Use them in salads. Carrots are also great in juice combinations. Try what's known as "ABC", juice apples, beetroot and carrots for a lovely healthy juice that will cleanse your system and purify your blood. Carrot juice is also said to help increase energy! Instead of downing calorie laden caffeinated drinks when tired, have a carrot juice instead.

At DAC, we love our carrots. We enjoy them in carrot halwa that we make almost everyday during the Navaratri celebrations.