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Carrot Purée with Caraway and Cumin

Algerian in origin, this recipe makes a colorful, tasty hors d’oeuvre. Serve it at room temperature with toasted croutons or pita bread and marinated olives. Warm, it makes a great side dish with baked fish and Chermoula (page 233).

Recipe information

  • Yield

    4 servings

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices
2 garlic cloves, peeled
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 onion, diced fine
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground caraway
Salt
1 to 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
Chopped cilantro

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add: 1 1/2 pounds carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices, 2 garlic cloves, peeled.

    Step 2

    Cook until the carrots are tender. Drain. Heat in a small heavy pan: 2 teaspoons olive oil.

    Step 3

    Add: 1/2 onion, diced fine.

    Step 4

    Cook until soft, about 7 minutes. Crush in a mortar and pestle or under a heavy skillet: 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/4 teaspoon ground caraway.

    Step 5

    Add to the sautéed onions with: Salt.

    Step 6

    Add the drained cooked carrots and garlic and cook for a couple minutes more. Off the heat, mash into a coarse purée with a potato masher or fork. Add: 1 to 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice and taste for salt. Adjust as needed. If you like, garnish with: Chopped cilantro.

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