Adding flavor, color, and crunch, carrots can take your meals to a whole new level.
This root vegetable is one of the richest sources of beta carotene, which converts into vitamin A – an essential nutrient that benefits your skin, vision, and immune system. You can also count on carrots to provide a heart-healthy dose of fiber and potassium. While they make for an effortless snack when eaten raw, you’ll get the most nutritional “bang for your buck” from cooked carrots. Add sliced carrots to stews and soups, stir-fry them with your favorite veggies, or roast them in a little olive oil for a delicious side dish.
Maite's Gluten-Free Macaroni & Cheese
5-6
servingsIngredients
- 1 cup
carrots, chopped
- 12 oz.
brown rice elbow pasta
- 1 cup
soaked cashews
- 1
large garlic clove (+1/2 clove if you love garlic)
- 3 Tbsp.
fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp.
yellow or Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup
nutritional yeast
- 1/2 tsp.
salt
- 1/2 cup
water
Directions
Using a steamer basket, steam carrots for 15 minutes until tender. Allow carrots to cool slightly.
While carrots are steaming, cook the elbow pasta in a pot according to package directions. Drain.
Add carrots to a blender with cashews, garlic, lemon juice, mustard, nutritional yeast, salt, and water. Blend until thick and creamy.
Return pasta to its pot and heat on low on your stovetop. Pour the carrot “cheese” mixture on top and mix well until warmed through. Enjoy!
Did you know?
- Carrots are often identified by their bright orange hue, but the very first carrots to be cultivated were often purple and occasionally yellow or white. In fact, orange carrots weren’t developed until the 16th century!
- For Maite’s Carrot Cake Power Balls recipe, visit HealthScope® magazine on Facebook and Instagram!
Southside’s Maite Bou is a holistic nutrition coach, mama of two, and avid creative cook. She’s inspired by any kind of recipe that involves real, unprocessed delicious foods that nourish, fuel, and heal the body.
