Meatless Monday: Carrot Craze

Carrots are one of the 40 best anti-aging super foods according to Menshealth.com, so we thought today's Meatless Monday post should encompass this wonderful orange veggie.  Often associated with the benefit of improving one's eyesight due to vitamin A and beta carotene, carrots hold an array of features and benefits that can aid your health.  It can help prevent heart disease and cancer, as well as flush toxins and lower cholesterol, making carrots a worthwhile investment in your diet.

Today's menu features some unique ways to try this tasty root vegetable.

An orange puree made of yams and carrot from Parenting.com can be used to introduce your baby to solids, as well as a way to sneak veggies into your child's entree.  We even like it as an alternative to mashed potatoes as the consistency is thick enough for adults using standard dinnerware, like a fork.

Not into pureed versions of food?  Then this ginger, citrus, and carrot medley, courtesy of The First Mess, may be for you.  With black sesames, avocado, and edamame, this vegetable medley covers all the nutritional bases.  With a citrus-y Asian dressing, this will surely brighten up your taste buds.

Looking for more of a comfort food to warm you up until spring gets here?  A Carrot and Parmesan Risotto from What's Gaby Cooking, is just what the doctor ordered.  All it takes is the patience to cook risotto, but oh what the payoff will be!

And if you just need a quick and easy alternative for a side dish and want a new recipe, then Carrot and Parsnip Fries is the answer.  Our favorite crafty lady, Martha Stewart, shares this wonderful recipe, that bakes, not fries the veggies, so you don't lose any of the nutritional benefits.

Check out our Pinterest board for more carrot and Meatless Monday recipes!