Carrot Star Anise Purée Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Peel carrots and cut into 1/2-inch slices. Place in an oven-proof saucepan, cover and bake until tender, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl combine the yogurt, garlic, juice from 1/2 of the lemon, nutmeg, and salt and pepper to taste. Puree the carrots in a blender or food processor until smooth, adding the remaining lemon juice and olive oil. Season with salt to taste.
• Spoon the carrot puree into a serving dish, and top with the yogurt sauce. Garnish with the fresh mint.

Steps:

• For the curry sauce:
• Put the star anise, cardamom, cinnamon sticks, and garam masala in a small dry skillet and toast over medium heat, stirring, just until fragrant, about 30 seconds; be careful not to burn the spices. Scrape onto a plate and set aside.
• Grate the cut sides of the tomatoes on the large holes of a flat or box grater set over (or in) a bowl; discard the skins. Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Stir in the tomato puree and the toasted spices, then add the carrot juice and lime juice, bring to a simmer, and cook gently again until the sauce can easily coat the back of a spoon, about 30 minutes.
• Add the saffron and cook for 1 minute, then stir in the coconut milk and cook for another few minutes to let the flavors get friendly. Remove from the heat and pick out and discard the whole spices. With an immersion blender, blend the sauce until smooth (or use a regular blender), then pour it into a smaller saucepan. Season with salt.
• To finish the dish:
• Add the carrots to the curry sauce and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the carrots are tender, about 35 minutes.
• Spoon the curry into bowls and drizzle each serving with a bit of coconut milk. Garnish each bowl with cilantro leaves, lime zest, and lime juice. Serve with rice.

Steps:

• Steam the carrots above 1 inch of boiling water for 15 minutes or until soft. Remove from the heat and transfer to a food processor fitted with a steel blade.
• Pulse the carrots in the food processor and scrape down the sides of the bowl. Turn on the food processor and while the machine is running pour in the olive oil and lemon juice. Process until the carrots are pureed. Stop the machine and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula. Add the cumin seeds, caraway seeds, Aleppo pepper or chili powder, and salt to taste and process until incorporated. Taste and adjust seasonings. Transfer to a serving bowl or platter.
• If using the seasoned yogurt, combine all of the ingredients and mix together well. Make a well in the middle of the carrots and spoon in the yogurt.
• Serve the carrot puree with pita triangles, croutons, or crudités.

Steps:

• Heat oil in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat. Saute chopped carrots and onion in the hot oil, 10 to 15 minutes. Add water slowly, adjusting so that the vegetables are just covered. Add star anise, chicken bouillon, and coriander and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and let simmer, about 40 minutes.
• Remove star anise. Puree soup with an immersion blender to desired consistency. Garnish with thyme and marjoram and serve hot.

Steps:

• Melt butter in large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion, thyme, 3 star anise, bay leaves, and garlic. Sauté until onion softens, about 5 minutes. Add carrots and broth. Bring to boil. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until carrots are very tender, about 30 minutes.
• Remove and discard thyme sprigs, star anise, and bay leaves. Working in small batches, puree soup in blender until very smooth; return to same pot. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cool slightly, cover, and chill. Rewarm over low heat before continuing.)
• Finely grind remaining star anise in spice mill or coffee grinder. Ladle soup into bowls. Sprinkle with ground star anise.
• *Brown, star-shaped seedpods; available at some supermarkets, Asian markets, and specialty foods stores.