This is an easy way to spruce up some boring old baby carrots. Actually, even just grating chocolate on plain cooked carrots will spruce them up. Carrots are well known for their beta-carotene content (the name even comes from carrots!), but did you know they may reduce your risk of coronary heart disease? A study out of the Netherlands looking at the diet of more than 20,000 people found that those who consumed carrots regularly reduced their risk by 32 percent! Combined with cacao, they make a heart-healthy super side.
INGREDIENT
2 cups (260 g) baby carrots
1 minced or pressed garlic clove
1/4 cup (40 g) diced white onion
1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
6 lemon slices, about 1/4 inch (6 mm) thick
2 teaspoons minced fresh oregano
1/4 cup (60 ml) vegetable broth
2 ounces (55 g) bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1 tablespoon (16 g) tomato paste
HOW TO MAKE BABY CARROTS WITH LEMON AND CHOCOLATE
Sauté the carrots, garlic, and onion in the olive oil in a medium-size saucepan over medium heat with some of the salt and pepper for 3 minutes. Add the lemon, oregano, and broth and cook for 5 minutes more. Stir in the chocolate and tomato paste and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes. Add additional salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm.
Yield: 4 servings
