21062025

LYFE SATURDAY | JUNE 21, 2025

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C ARROTS are often underestimated and commonly tossed into stews or grated into salads, but this root vegetable deserves the spotlight. Naturally sweet, crunchy and loaded with nutrients such as beta-carotene, carrots can be used for a variety of delicious dishes that suit every palate. These carrot-based recipes will inspire you to use this everyday ingredient in new ways. Carrot halwa A beloved South Asian dessert made by slow-cooking carrots in milk, ghee and sugar. Ű BY THASHINE SELVAKUMARAN ½ teaspoon of cardamom powder 2 tablespoons of chopped cashews and raisins (each) Instructions 1. Cook grated carrots in milk over medium heat until it thickens and reduces. 2. Add ghee and sugar, stir until the mixture becomes glossy. 3. Mix in cardamom, cashews and raisins. Serve warm. Carrot cake Soft, moist and fragrant with spices. This classic cake is topped with a rich cream cheese frosting. Ingredients 2 cups of grated carrots 1½ cups of all-purpose flour ¾ cup of sugar 2 eggs ½ cup of oil 1 teaspoon of baking powder 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder ½ cup of chopped walnuts (optional) Cream cheese frosting (store-bought or homemade) Instructions 1. Mix eggs, sugar and oil, then stir in carrots. 2. Fold in flour, baking powder, cinnamon and walnuts. 3. Bake at 175°C for 35–40 minutes. Let cool, then frost. Carrot soup A velvety, nourishing bowl excellent for chilly evenings or light lunches. Ingredients 2 cups of grated carrots 2 cups of full-cream milk 2 tablespoons of ghee ¼ cup of sugar

Carrot baozi are filled with carrot and cabbage. – PIC FROM YOUTUBE @MOLLY YEH half-set, roll to one side. 4. Add more egg, lift the roll to let new egg flow underneath. 5. Keep layering and rolling until all egg is used. 6. Let cool slightly, slice into thick pieces. Carrot pad thai Thai street food classic using spiralised or julienned carrots for extra crunch. Ingredients 200g flat rice noodles (soaked) 1 carrot (spiralised or julienned) 2 cloves of garlic (minced) 100g bean sprouts 1 egg 2 tablespoon of crushed peanuts 2 tablespoons of pad thai sauce (or mix of tamarind, fish sauce & sugar) Oil, lime wedges, spring onions Instructions 1. Heat oil and saute garlic. Push to side, crack in egg and scramble. 2. Add noodles and sauce, stir-fry quickly. 3. Toss in carrots and bean sprouts, cook briefly. 4. Top with peanuts, spring onions and lime before serving. Carrot baozi Fluffy Chinese steamed buns filled with a savoury carrot and cabbage mix is a light, plant-based treat.

Carrot halwa is a comforting dessert made by slow-cooking grated carrots in milk and ghee. – PIC FROM YOUTUBE @SU FOOD CORNER

Carrot bites

o Eight vibrant ways to turn humble root vegetable into sweet, savoury dishes

Fresh kimbap with julienned carrots adding crunch and colour. – PIC FROM YOUTUBE @ASIAN INSPIRATIONS

Sesame oil and salt Bamboo sushi mat

Instructions 1. Stir-fry carrots with a dash of sesame oil and salt. Set aside. 2. Lay dried seaweed shiny side down on a bamboo mat. 3. Spread rice thinly, leaving space at the top. 4. Arrange carrots, spinach, egg and pickled radish in a line. 5. Roll tightly using the mat, seal the edge with a dab of water. 6. Slice into 1.5cm rounds and serve. Carrot tamagoyaki A fluffy Japanese-style rolled omelette with bits of grated carrot for colour and added sweetness. Ingredients 3 eggs 2 tablespoons of finely grated carrot 1 teaspoon of soy sauce 1 teaspoon of mirin (optional) Instructions 1. Beat eggs with grated carrot, soy sauce, mirin and salt. 2. Heat a lightly oiled non-stick or rectangular tamagoyaki pan. 3. Pour a thin layer of egg, then once Pinch of salt Cooking oil

Ingredients For dough: 2 cups of all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon of yeast

Carrot cake is moist, spiced and topped with creamy frosting. – PIC FROM YOUTUBE @EASY QUICK RECIPES

¾ cup of warm water 1 teaspoon of sugar

Instructions 1. Heat oil, saute garlic and carrots. Add egg and scramble if using. 2. Add rice and soy sauce, stir-fry on high heat. 3. Finish with pepper and spring onions. Carrot kimbap A light and nutritious Korean rice roll packed with colourful vegetables, including crunchy sauteed carrots. Ingredients 2 cups of cooked short-grain rice 3–4 sheets of dried seaweed 1 medium carrot (julienned) 1 cup of spinach (blanched & seasoned) 2 eggs (cooked into thin omelette and sliced) Pickled radish, cut into strips

Add carrots and cook briefly. 2. Pour in stock, simmer until carrots are soft. 3. Blend until smooth, season to taste. Add cream or coconut milk if desired. Carrot fried rice Fast, filling and full of texture. It is an excellent way to use up leftover rice with a pop of orange. Ingredients 2 cups of cooked rice 1 cup of grated or finely chopped carrot 2 cloves of chopped garlic 1 egg (optional) 1 tablespoon of soy sauce 2 tablespoons of oil Spring onions and white pepper

For filling: 1 cup of grated carrot ½ cup of finely shredded cabbage

1 clove of garlic (minced) 1 teaspoon of soy sauce Salt and pepper Oil

Ingredients 3 cups of chopped carrots

Instructions 1. Mix dough ingredients, knead and let rise one hour. 2. Saute garlic, then add carrot and cabbage. Season and cook until soft. Cool filling. 3. Divide dough, flatten into circles and spoon in filling. 4. Pinch to seal, place on parchment squares. 5. Steam for 10–12 minutes until fluffy.

1 onion, chopped 2 cloves of garlic

2 cups of vegetable stock 1 tablespoon of olive oil Salt and pepper ¼ cup of cream or coconut milk (optional)

Instructions 1. Saute onions and garlic in olive oil.

Fluffy Japanese tamagoyaki omelette made prettier (and tastier) with grated carrots. – PIC FROM YOUTUBE @ALWAYS YUMMY

A speedy pad Thai dish where carrots shine with soy, sesame and heat. – PIC FROM YOUTUBE @ENDLESS MEAL

Carrot soup is a velvety smooth and subtly spiced, good for a light yet satisfying starter. – PIC FROM YOUTUBE @TOASTED

Carrot fried rice is a quick wok-tossed meal. – PIC FROM YOUTUBE @TAZTY FOOD RECIPE