Best Carrot Dip EVER!

[Plaid Adder]

I hate carrots. However, I made this dip from a recipe my partner clipped, and I love it. It's like crack. I would be eating it all with a spoon right now if I hadn't put it in the fridge.

FIERY CARROT DIP
(paraphrased from *Food & Wine,* February 2004,l page 135)

Cut up 2 pounds of carrots and put them in boiling water. (I used organic carrots; I think this may have something to do with its tastiness.) Cook over medium-high heat until the carrots are tender (20 minutes was plenty). Drain carrots, put them in your food processor, and add:

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
3 pressed or minced garlic cloves
1 1/4 teaspoons of chili paste (the original recipe called for 'harissa,' which I couldn't find; I used Thai Chili Garlic Sauce.)
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin or caraway
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

Puree the bejeezus out of it until it is light and fluffy.

Put it in a bowl. Don't taste it! You'll eat the whole thing! Put it away until the guests arrive!

Says on the recipe you can make it 2 days in advance and refrigerate it, and to serve it room temperature. I dunno what it tastes like at room temperature, but it's real good warm.

Enjoy,

The Plaid Adder

[Lostmessage]

1. Can you buy the carrots without the skins on them

Do you need the skins in the dip?

[Plaid Adder]

2. I skinned the carrots before I cooked 'em.

I would say no skin is better than skin, but I doubt it matters too much one way or the other.

C ya,

The Plaid Adder

[Tinoire]

3. One more carrot dish for you

I swear this is good!

1/2 boiled carrots + 1/2 boiled potatoes. Mash. Add butter.

Salt, pepper, however you like your mashed potatoes. Mash.

Hide from the guests.

==

Can't wait to try yours!

[Plaid Adder]

4. Alas, would violate the potato ban in our household

Since the whole carbs thing came into vogue, the potato has been verboten in our kitchen. But I bet this thing IS good.

C ya,

The Plaid Adder

[SOteric]

5. Harissa is one of my favourite things!

You can usually find it in middle eastern cooking supply shops. Nummy stuff.

[greatauntoftriplets]

7. That is what is in harissa?

I never knew. Thanks SOteric, your knowledge of cooking is totally impressive.

[Plaid Adder]

8. So what _is_ harissa?

I was lookin', but I didn't find it, and I figured I wouldn't, being as I was in Jewel Osco. What's it made out of?

C ya,

The Plaid Adder

[Lars39]

6. Cream of carrot soup is verrrrry good, too.

Can't trick the kids into eating it, so it's ALL mine!!! :evilgrin: