CARROT CORIANDER DIP: Almost Raw, Vegan, Gluten Free Party Food

This is one of the dips I made for second annual holiday party this past December. I ended up bringing this dip to my friend Kates party and giving her the recipe after hearing she really liked it. I noticed that smaller organic carrots end up being sweeter then the larger "overgrown" carrots. This has been my experience but it may be different for everyone depending where they purchase their produce.

Always taste test your dip and add more spices or salt. Carrots don't come in a single size, as much as distributors would like them to.

CARROT CORIANDER DIP: (Almost) Raw, Vegan, Gluten Free Party Food

6 large or 10 smaller carrots
1/2 cup almond milk
1/2 tsp coriander
1/4 cup fresh parsley (optional)
1 tsp lime or lemon juice
1/2 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp turmeric
1 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp onion powder
2 tbs spicy brown mustard
2 tbs veganaise
Salt & pepper to taste

Peel and chop carrots into smaller chunks. Place in blender or food processor with the other ingredients. Add salt to taste.

Carrot and Curry soup

I hate cooked carrots. I tend to avoid adding them to soups unless I'm making a broth. To me they loose so much flavor. Give me raw any day. That is what i thought until I started making this soup. The carrots make it such fluffy and light texture & the curry carries so much flavor. Sometimes i add cheese or croutons on top. I also think it would freeze quite well & will test this out.

Carrot and Curry soup

1 med red onion (about 2 cups)
2 pound carrots (about 6 cups diced)
2 tbs earth balance butter (I just use organic butter)
2 tbs oil (I used olive oil )
1 tbs curry powder

1 (1/2 inch) ginger, peeled & smashed (or 1/8 dried ginger)
2 1/2 cups water or vegetable broth 

4 whole cloves
3 garlic cloves, chopped

Chop onion and carrots. Heat oil & butter on med/low heat. When butter melts add onions & cook until slightly soft (about 5 min). Make sure not to brown. Add carrots, ginger, garlic, cloves & curry (If you aren't familiar with curry you can put in 1/2 tbs and add more at the end). Mix well so carrots are evenly covered with oil & cook for 10 min. At this point, with a fork, check if carrots are tender. Add water or broth & cook until the carrots are soft enough to break with a wooden spoon. Take cloves out. Usually they will float on top & can be removed easily. Put in blender & pure.

Salt & peeper to taste. Makes 4 servings.