🥕 Baby Carrots with Dill Butter 🌿
Baby Carrots with Dill Butter is a delectable side dish that combines the natural sweetness of baby carrots with the rich, herb-infused flavor of dill butter. This dish is a great accompaniment to various meals and is known for its vibrant colors and delicious taste.
📜 History:
The origins of this dish are not precisely documented, but it falls in line with the broader tradition of using fresh herbs like dill to enhance the flavors of vegetables. Dill is a popular herb in many cuisines, adding a unique, slightly anise-like flavor. Baby carrots, which are a sweeter and more tender version of regular carrots, became widely available in the mid-20th century, contributing to the popularity of this dish.
🥕 Components:
- Baby carrots (about 1 pound or 450 grams)
- Fresh dill, finely chopped
- Butter (unsalted, about 2-3 tablespoons)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: lemon zest or juice for added brightness
👩🍳 Preparation Steps:
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Prep the Carrots: Start by washing and trimming the baby carrots. You can leave them whole or cut them into bite-sized pieces, depending on your preference.
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Boil the Carrots: Place the carrots in a pot of boiling water with a pinch of salt. Boil them for 5-7 minutes or until they are tender but still have a slight crunch. Drain the carrots.
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Prepare the Dill Butter: In a separate pan, melt the butter over low heat. Once the butter is melted, add the finely chopped fresh dill. You can adjust the amount of dill to suit your taste.
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Combine and Toss: Pour the dill butter over the cooked baby carrots. Gently toss to ensure the carrots are coated evenly with the butter and dill mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
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Optional Zest or Lemon Juice: For a refreshing twist, consider adding some lemon zest or a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten up the flavors.
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Serve: Transfer the baby carrots with dill butter to a serving dish. You can garnish with a sprig of fresh dill for a beautiful presentation.
⏱️ Time Needed:
- Preparing and boiling the carrots: 10-15 minutes
- Making the dill butter: 5 minutes
- Assembling and serving: 5 minutes
In total, you can have this delicious side dish ready in approximately 20-25 minutes. It’s a quick and easy recipe that brings out the natural sweetness of baby carrots while infusing them with the aromatic flavors of dill and butter. Enjoy! 🥕🌿😋
🥕 Nutrition Facts and Health Information for Baby Carrots with Dill Butter 🌿
Here’s the nutritional information for a typical serving of Baby Carrots with Dill Butter:
Nutrition Information for 1 serving (approximately 1/4 of the recipe):
- Calories: Approximately 100-150 calories (mainly from butter)
- Carbohydrates: 7-10 grams
- Dietary Fiber: 2-3 grams
- Sugars: 4-5 grams (naturally occurring sugars from carrots)
- Fat: 8-12 grams (from butter)
- Protein: 1-2 grams
- Sodium: Varies depending on salt added
- Vitamin A: Rich in vitamin A due to the baby carrots
- Vitamin C: Some vitamin C content from carrots and optional lemon juice
- Iron: Small amounts from the carrots
Health Information:
- Baby carrots are low in calories and a good source of dietary fiber, making them a healthy option for snacking or as a side dish.
- Dill is known for its potential health benefits, including its antioxidant properties and possible digestive benefits.
- While the dish contains butter, you can control the amount used, and you can consider using unsalted butter to manage sodium intake.
- If you’re concerned about calories or fat content, you can use a butter substitute or reduce the amount of butter in the recipe.
As with any dish, moderation is key. Baby Carrots with Dill Butter can be a tasty and nutritious addition to your meal, but it’s essential to balance it with a variety of other foods to meet your overall dietary needs. Enjoy this dish as part of a well-rounded diet to get the most nutritional benefits. 🥕🌿😊
