We all know that carrots are full of vitamin A, K, and beta-carotene. They are good for our eyes and bones. Plus, most dieticians consider them to be a superfood due to their high fiber content. But did you know that they are from Afghanistan and have more genes (about 32,000) than us? Moreover, you should be careful not to eat too much of them! At least, not every day, or your skin might become a bit orange (yellowish). This is mainly due to the high beta-carotene content in carrots.
I like versatile vegetables that you can use in appetizers, casseroles, and also in desserts. Carrots are extremely adaptable. That is why so many people use them in many different dishes. Today’s recipe is a traditional mezze (appetizer) popular both in Turkey and Greece. It is called Tarator (not to be confused with the Bulgarian cucumber soup), and made by roasting carrots with crushed garlic. Later, we add yogurt.
For cutting and slicing vegetables, you need to get yourself the best mandolin slicer. By doing so, you will make your diet a healthy haven. It is practical to prepare nutritious appetizers on a daily basis thanks to the smart cutting, slicing, and dicing capabilities of modern mandolin slicers. The available variety is enormous at the market. Yet, some versions do come with unique features to make your life easier in the kitchen.
My favorite mandolin slicer has a large size catch tray. This is vital for me because I simply do not like when all the grated, sliced vegetable spill around the counter. It is really annoying! Besides, the bottom of the tray is non-slip. No need to worry about losing control over the slicer unlike the handheld versions. You can cut exceptionally thin slices with this adjustable mandolin; 1mm, 3mm, and 5mm. Note that all plastic parts are non-toxic and BPA free. It comes with a spiralizer. You can prepare vegetable noodles easily. Check out this carrots noodles recipe for a simple and quick version.
Tarator Mezze – Fried Carrot with Yogurt
This is a classic recipe that you can find in most Greek And Turkish seafood restaurants. It is customary to consume this mezze (appetizer) with Raki or Ouzo.
How to Prepare Fried Carrot Appetizer with the Best Mandoline Slicer| Tarator Mezze
Course: Appetizers, mezzeCuisine: Turkish, GreekDifficulty: Easy4
servings10
minutes10
minutes120
kcal20
minutesIngredients
3 large size carrots, grated
2 garlic cloves, sliced or crushed (optional)
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons yogurt (unsweetened)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
1/4 bunch fresh parsley
Directions
- Add yogurt into a medium-size bowl.
- Add salt and blend.
- Place a medium-size skillet over medium heat.
- Add 3-4 tablespoons olive oil.
- Add the grated carrots.
- Add the sliced garlic cloves.
- Continue to simmer for about 4-5 minutes.
- Take it off the heat and place in a medium-size bowl.
- Let the carrots come down to room temperature.
- Add the yogurt mixture into carrots and mix with a spoon.
- Transfer the mixture on to a serving plate.
- Decorate with parsley.
Notes
- You can also add 2 tablespoons mayonnaise to yogurt mixture to increase consistency. Also, feel free to add crushed pecans to elevate the flavor.
Can you dice with a mandoline?
Some mandoline slicers are capable of dicing, but not all come with this feature. You should check your product manual. The good news is that you can still dice the vegetables once you sliced them with the julienne blade of the mandolin. Check out this model if you are really looking for a mandolin slicer that can dice.
Can I use a mandoline slicer to slice cheese?
There is a simple trick to be able to slice cheese on your mandoline slicer. It involves freezing the cheese first. Otherwise, the regular cheese will be too mushy to work on the blades. However, you can attain nice slices with this method. Keep in mind that you can also cut the cheese with the julienne blade. Make sure to get a mandoline slicer with a knob for that purpose.
Are blue carrots real?
Earlier carrots (before 17th century) had a dark purple color resembling Smurfs food. They even contained more antioxidants. It used to be that people were not accustomed to orange carrots that we consume today. Blue carrots are still available. They improve heart health, reduce inflammation, increase brain activity, and decrease cancer risk.