Buzz
Ingredients
Stewed Carrots
- 500 g carrots
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) water
Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
- 500 g carrots
- 3 tablespoons (45 g) butter
- 1 teaspoon (5 g) finely grated orange zest
- 1 tablespoon (15 g) brown sugar
Sweet and Spicy Carrots
- 700 g carrots
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) pure coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon (15 g) light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 g) fennel powder
- ¼ teaspoon (1.2 g) chili powder
- 1 teaspoon (5 g) kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) white vinegar
- 2 green onion stalks
Steps
Stewed Carrots
Wash and cut 500 g of carrots into sticks or 6 mm thick rounds. Rinse the whole carrots under running water, dry them, and use a peeler to remove the outer tough skin. Then, use a sharp knife to trim the ends and slice them into sticks or rounds.
- You can also use packaged baby carrots. Baby carrots are usually pre-washed, but it’s a good idea to rinse and dry them again. You can cook them whole or slice them into 2-3 pieces.
Place the carrots and 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of water into a microwave-safe bowl. Choose a large microwave-safe bowl (glass or ceramic) that can accommodate the carrots and water.
- Never use metal bowls in the microwave.
- If you only have a plastic bowl, ensure it is labeled microwave-safe.
Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap. Do not tilt the lid or puncture the wrap to vent. You need to trap the steam inside the bowl to cook the carrots.
- Plastic wrap may melt if it touches the carrots. If necessary, use a larger bowl.
Cook the carrots on high power (100%) for 3 ½ minutes. Once the microwave stops, remember to wear oven mitts before removing the bowl to avoid burns! Carefully open the lid or plastic wrap, avoiding steam burns to your face or hands.
- The cooking time is based on a 1000-watt microwave. If your microwave has higher power, reduce the time to 3 minutes; if it has lower power, increase the time to 4 minutes.
Stir the carrots, cover, and continue cooking until tender. After stirring and covering, cook on high power for an additional 2 minutes. Remove and check the carrots with a fork—they should pierce easily with slight pressure. If not fully cooked, microwave for another minute and repeat as needed.
- Round slices take about 6-9 minutes to cook.
- Carrot sticks require 5-7 minutes.
- Baby carrots need 7-9 minutes.
Serve the carrots immediately after cooking. Enjoy them as they are or season with salt and pepper. You can also mix in a small pat of butter.
- Stewed carrots complement many main dishes or serve as a side vegetable. For example, pair them with grilled chicken breast or baked fish.
Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
Cut 500 g of carrots into 5 mm thick rounds. Wash, dry, peel, and slice them with a sharp knife. Alternatively, cut them into 5 mm thick sticks.
- You can also use 500 g of packaged baby carrots.
Melt 3 tablespoons (45 g) of butter in a large bowl. Microwave the butter on high for 30 seconds, then in 15-second intervals until fully melted. Watch closely, as butter can burn quickly in the microwave.
- Use a microwave-safe ceramic, glass, or plastic bowl with enough space for the carrots and melted butter.
Add 1 teaspoon (5 g) of finely grated orange zest and 1 tablespoon (15 g) of brown sugar. Use a grater to zest the outer layer of the orange—avoid the bitter white pith underneath. Stir the zest and brown sugar into the melted butter until fully dissolved.
- You can substitute brown sugar with 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of maple syrup or honey.
Add the carrots to the bowl and gently toss to coat. Use tongs or a spoon to mix the carrots in the butter-sugar-zest mixture.
- The mixture will adhere better if you pat the carrots dry with a paper towel.
Cover the bowl and microwave on high for 5-8 minutes. Use a lid or plastic wrap without venting. After 3 ½ minutes, check the carrots for tenderness and stir gently, then continue cooking in 90-second intervals until they can be easily pierced with a fork.
- Use heat-resistant gloves and be cautious of hot steam when removing the bowl to check the carrots.
- Cooking time may vary depending on the microwave. This recipe is based on a 1000-watt microwave.
Transfer the carrots to a plate and serve hot. Optionally, sprinkle additional grated orange zest before serving. Pair the carrots with grilled pork or enjoy them as they are!
Sweet and Spicy Carrots
Cut 700 g of carrots into 1.5 cm thick rounds. Wash and peel the carrots before slicing them with a sharp knife. You can also use baby carrots instead of sliced ones.
- If the ends of the carrots vary significantly in size, halve the thicker rounds to ensure even cooking.
Melt coconut oil, brown sugar, and spices in a baking dish. Use a 20 cm x 20 cm microwave-safe baking dish. Stir and microwave the following ingredients until the sugar dissolves (about 30 seconds):
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) pure coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon (15 g) light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 g) fennel powder
- ¼ teaspoon (1.2 g) chili powder
- 1 teaspoon (5 g) kosher salt
Add the carrots to the dish along with 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of white vinegar. Mix in the vinegar, stir the mixture, add the carrots, and toss gently until evenly coated.
Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap. Use plastic wrap to seal the dish and poke 6 small holes to vent steam. Without venting, the carrots may become mushy instead of tender-crisp.
- If the dish has a lid, use it instead of plastic wrap.
Microwave the dish in 5-minute intervals. Cook on high power (100%) for 5 minutes, then remove, uncover, and stir quickly. Cover and repeat twice more. Stop cooking when the carrots are fork-tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
- If the carrots aren’t tender, cook in 2-minute intervals (stirring between each) until fully cooked.
- Be cautious when uncovering the dish to stir—hot steam can cause burns!
Finish the dish with 2 green onion stalks. Mix the chopped green onions into the carrots, then sprinkle the remaining portion on top before serving. Now, your dish is ready to enjoy!
- This carrot dish pairs well with grilled shrimp or can be served with rice.
What You'll Need
- Cutting board and knife for slicing carrots
- Microwave-safe baking dish
- Microwave
