Flying Circus 2024

We’ve been going to the Flying Circus Airshow in Bealeton, Virginia since 2001, when three of us met there.

This year, stopped at BBQ Country (9719 James Madison Hwy, Warrenton, VA | (540) 439-6904) so we could have a picnic onsite. It was a beautiful, warm, sunny day.

It was the first year Chris Edwards wasn’t the announcer. Rooster was the aerobatic flyer in a Pitts S-2B. The wing walker was a very young woman.

On the way back, we went to Moo Thru in nearby Remington, where more people wait in the car drive through than wait in the people line. They were out of the pumpkin caramel swirl, but the salted caramel was tasty.

We made a pit stop at Messick’s Farm Market – we forgot they have frozen custard, too.

Valentine’s Day 2024

It wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day without a menu of yummy carrot dishes.

Carrot Salad

3 T sesame oil
3 clove garlic, minced and sautéed
3 T rice wine vinegar
juice of one lime
zest of that lime
1 T soy sauce
1/2 T sugar
2 cups carrots, peeled into long curls using a peeler

from ncfieldfamily.org

Pasta with bacon and creamy carrot sauce

1 lb bacon
1 lb carrots
16 oz pkg orecchiette pasta or other funny-looking pasta
Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
1/4 c. dill

 

 

Cook bacon
To make carrot puree: peel carrots, slice, and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes. Drain, then use hand/wand blender, using some of the cooking water if necessary

Mix everything together.

savoryonline.com April 2023 p.55

Carrot Pie

Carrot Pie

3/4 container whipped dessert topping
3/4 c. carrot puree
8 oz cream cheese
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 t. maple syrup
graham cracker pie shell

Make carrots into puree, let cool.
Meanwhile, mix cream cheese, sugar, and syrup. Fold in puree, pour into pie shell, and freeze.

Valentine’s Day 2023

Spiced Carrot Dip

1 1/2 Ib carrots. cut into 1″ pieces
2 tsp olive oil
1 Tbsp ground mustard
1 1/2 tsp curry powder
3/4 tsp cumin
1 c 2% Greek-style yogurt
1/2 c reduced-fat sour cream
1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

* Cook carrots until tender, about 20 minutes. Blend with hand blender.
* Add remaining ingredients and pulse until smooth.
(original recipe said to toast mustard seeds instead of using ground)
adapted from prevention.com

Carrot Bacon

5 medium carrots
4 tbsps maple syrup
1/2 tablespoon soy sauce
¼ teaspoon liquid smoke
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
⅛ teaspoon black pepper

Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C) if using a regular oven. If using an air-fryer set it to 380°F (190°C).

Wash carrots and peel thinly lengthwise with a vegetable peeler or mandolin slicer.

In a shallow dish, mix together the remainder of the ingredients.

Marinate the carrot strips in the sauce for at least 5 minutes. Work in batches if needed so that the carrots are fully covered.

Place carrots on a lined baking sheet evenly spread out. Place in the oven for 10-15 minutes (or in an air-fryer for 5 minutes), flipping halfway through. When they are wavy they are ready. Don’t worry if they’re not crunchy yet, they will harden more as they cool. Sprinkle with salt if you want them to dry out faster and become crispier.

from healthmylifestyle

Russian Carrot Salad (Korean-style)

1 pound carrots, peeled and julienned (preferably with a mandoline)
3 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup vinegar
1 tablespoon white sugar
2 ½ teaspoons salt
⅓ cup vegetable oil
½ onion, minced
1 teaspoon ground coriander
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Place carrots in a large bowl. Sprinkle garlic over carrots.
Mix vinegar, sugar, and salt together in a small bowl.
Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir onion in hot oil until soft and translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir coriander and cayenne pepper into the onion; add to carrot mixture and toss. Pour vinegar dr
essing over carrot mixture; toss to coat.
Transfer carrot salad to a dish with a tight-fitting lid, cover, and refrigerate 4 to 24 hours, tossing salad several times while it marinates.

from allrecipes

Grits & Carrots & Shrimp

Ingredients:

grits
carrots
shrimp

Directions:

cook
eat

all together

Valentine’s week 2022

We had the Thai Salad that we had in 2014.

Roasted Carrot and Coconut Soup

1 1/2 pounds carrots, roughly chopped (about 4 cups)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cups chopped yellow onion
2 tablespoons red curry paste
2 teaspoons grated peeled fresh ginger
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 (15-oz.) can unsalted cannellini beans, drained
3 or 4 cups unsalted chicken stock
1 (15-oz.) can light coconut milk
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 ripe avocado
bacon
1 cup cooked lentils

Preheat oven to 450°F. Toss together carrots, 1 1/2 teaspoons oil, and 1/2 teaspoon salt on a large foil-lined baking sheet. Roast at 450°F until carrots are fork-tender, about 20 minutes, stirring once.

Heat remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons oil in a Dutch oven over medium. Add onion; cook, stirring often, until lightly browned, 10 to 15 minutes.

Add curry paste, grated ginger, and crushed red pepper to Dutch oven, and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, 1 minute. Add cooked carrots, cannellini beans, vegetable stock, coconut milk, and remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil over high. Reduce heat to medium, and simmer 5 minutes.

Blend with hand stick mixer until smooth, about 1 minute or so.

Stir in bacon, lime juice. Serve with cilantro, avocado, and lentils.

adapted from Cooking Light

Microwave Potato Ham Dinner

2 cups cubed peeled potatoes
1 cup sliced carrots
1 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons chopped onion
2 tablespoons margarine
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1-1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups cubed fully cooked lean ham

In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine the potatoes, carrots, celery and water. Cover and microwave on high for 5-1/2 minutes, stirring once. Add onion; cover and microwave on high for 3-4 minutes or until crisp-tender, stirring once. Pour into a 2-qt. microwave-safe baking dish coated with cooking spray; set aside.

In a microwave-safe bowl, heat the margarine, covered, on high for 30-40 seconds or until melted. Stir in the flour, salt and pepper until smooth. Gradually add milk.

Cook, uncovered, on high for 1-1/2 to 2 minutes or until thickened and bubbly, stirring after each minute. Stir in the cheese until melted. Pour over the vegetables. Stir in ham. Cover and microwave on high for 3-4 minutes or until heated through.

Taste of Home

Carrot Pecan Crunch Pie

Carrot custard filling topped by crunchy pecan streusel

1 (9 inch) unbaked pie shell
½ cup packed brown sugar
¼ cup butter, melted
1 cup chopped pecans
4 cups carrots, cut into 1 inch pieces
2 eggs
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 pinch salt

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F

Topping: In a medium bowl combine brown sugar, melted butter or margarine, and chopped pecans. Mix well and set aside.

Carrot Custard: Steam carrots until tender. Drain and cool. Place cooled carrots in a
bowl and mix with hand wand mixer, add
eggs, condensed milk, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Blend until smooth. Pour carrot mixture into pie shell. Sprinkle with pecan topping.

Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

allrecipes

Valentine’s Day 2021

Appetizer (while we fixed the rest of the meal):

the cream cheese dip from the Big Carrot book. We make it often.

Thai Carrot Salad

1 lb carrots julienned
1/3 c. rice vinegar
zest and juice from one lime
2 T. maple syrup
1/2 t. Thai pepper flakes
1 3/4 c. chopped roasted peanuts

Blend together vinegar, lime, maple syrup, and pepper flakes.
Toss with carrots. Let stand for an hour or two.
Before serving add peanuts.

Original recipe: 1/4 cup crystalized ginger, julienned / 1/4 cup chopped cilantro.

Carrot “Soup”

Well, it was supposed to be a soup, but I forgot to add the cream, so it was a very thick soup (almost a stew). Serve in a bowl.

1 stick butter
4 c. carrots, sliced
1 c. potato, chopped
1/4 cup star anise in a cheesecloth bag
1/2 lb. bacon
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 qt. chicken broth

In a heavy pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add carrots and potato. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened, about 10 minutes.

Stir in garlic. Add bacon and broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until carrots and potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes.

Carrot Macaroni and Cheese with Sausage

1 lb carrots, peeled and grated in food processor
zest and juice of one orange / zest removed with a veggie peeler in strips
3 cups ziti pasta
8 oz. sharp cheddar cheese
1 lb. sausage

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°. In a medium saucepan, combine the carrots with the zest and juice and 1/4 cup of water. Season with salt and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer over moderate heat until the carrots are very soft, about 30 minutes. Discard the zest. Transfer the carrots and any liquid to a blender / food processor and puree until very smooth.
  2. In a saucepan, brown the sausage.
  3. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan of boiling salted water, cook the pasta until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the cooking water.
  4. Return the pasta to the pot. Add the reserved water, the carrot puree, and sausage and cook over moderate heat, stirring frequently, until the pasta is coated with a thickened sauce, about 5 minutes. Stir in three-fourths of the cheese and cook, stirring, until very creamy, 2 to 3 minutes longer.
  5. Transfer the pasta to a 9X13 glass dish (coat with vegetable oil) and top with the remaining cheese. Bake until the cheese is melted and lightly browned, about 30 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Adopted from Food & Wine. We didn’t do: End the end of step 4, stir in the tarragon and season with salt and white pepper.

Carrot-Cake Thumbprint Cookies

Active Time: 35 min.; Total Time: 1 hr. 45 min.; Makes: 1 dozen

1 stick unsalted butter, melted;
plus 1/2 stick, room temperature, for frosting
1/3 cup packed light-brown sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg yolk, room temperature
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon coarse salt
3/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
3/4 cup packed finely grated carrots (about 3)
3/4 cup pecans. finely chopped
1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons apricot jam

  1. Preheat oven to 350 deg. In a large bowl. whisk together melted butter, brown and granulated sugars, and yolk. In another bowl, whisk together flour, ginger, cinnamon, and salt. Stir flour mixture into butter mixture to combine. Mix in oats, carrots. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes.
  2. Roll dough into 1 1/2 inch balls; roll balls in pecans to coat. Space 2 inches apart on parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake 10 minutes. Remove from oven; press an indentation into center of each cookie with the end of a wooden spoon. Bake until golden brown on bottoms, 10 to 12 minutes more. Transfer cookies to a wire rack; let cool.
  3. In a bowl, beat remaining 1/2 stick butter and confectioners’ sugar on medium until smooth. Beat in cream cheese until just combined. Swirl in jam. Fill center of each cookie with cream-cheese mixture; serve.

 

Valentine’s Day 2020

Dinner

Quick-Pickled Carrots with Coriander and Chiles

Pickled Carrots

8 ounces carrots, peeled and cut into 4-inch sticks
1/2 cup water
6 tablespoons white vinegar
l 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon coriander seeds
1/2 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
1 clove garlic, halved
1/2 green jalapeno pepper, sliced

  1. Arrange carrot sticks upright like soldiers
    in a wide-mouth pint canning jar.
  2. In a small saucepan, combine the water,
    vinegar, salt, sugar, coriander seeds and
    peppercorns; bring to a boil. Pour over
    carrots. When close to cool, tuck in garlic
    and jalapeno. Let cool completely, screw on
    lid and store in the refrigerator overnight or
    up to 1 month. MAKES 1 PINT (1S SERVINGS).

PER SERVING 6 cal, 0 g fat, 0 mg chol, 25 mg sodium,
1 g carbo, 0 9 fiber, 1 g sugars, 0 g pro.

SPICED CARROT DIP

spicy dip

Prep time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 16

1 1/2 lb carrots. cut into 1″ pieces
2 tsp olive oil
1 Tbsp mustard seeds
1 1/2 tsp curry powder
3/4 tsp cumin
1 c 2% Greek-style yogurt
1/2 c reduced-fat sour cream
1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

  1. STEAM carrots until tender. about 20 minutes. Put in food processor.
  2. HEAT oil in small non­stick skillet over medium heat. Add mustard seeds, curry powder. and cumin. Toast. stirring. until fragrant. about 2 minutes.
  3. ADD to food processor with remaining ingredients and pulse until smooth.
    Season. (Makes 4 cups.)

NUTRITION (per 1/4 cup serving)
44 cal. 2 g pro. 5 g carb
1 g fiber. 2 g fat. 1 g sat fat.
34 mg sodium

Pear Salad

pear salad

The same pear & cottage cheese salad as before, but I forgot to add the nutmeg.

Indian Carrot Salad

Indian carrot salad

Ingredients

1 1/4 pounds good-quality coarsely ground lamb
2 teaspoons garam masala
Sea salt
1 pound carrots (mixed colors if possible), peeled
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
A small bunch fresh cilantro, leaves picked
A small bunch fresh mint, leaves picked

For the dressing:

1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 shallot peeled
1 lemon, zested and juiced
1 heaped teaspoon freshly grated ginger
Extra-virgin olive oil

For serving:
Naan bread
Yogurt
Lemon halves

(c) Jamie Oliver

Carrot Cheesecake Pie

My version of a Kraft recipe for bars.

1-1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 cup sugar, divided
1/4 cup butter, melted
1-1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon, divided
3 pkg. (8 oz. each) Cream Cheese, softened
1 tsp. vanilla
3/4 cup Sour Cream
3 eggs
3/4 cup finely shredded carrots (about 2)
COOL WHIP Whipped Topping

HEAT oven to 325°F.

MIX graham crumbs, 1/4 cup sugar, butter and 1/2 tsp. cinnamon; press onto bottom of 13×9-inch pan. Bake 10 min. (OR buy a pie shell)

BEAT cream cheese, vanilla, remaining sugar and cinnamon in large bowl with mixer until blended. Add sour cream; mix well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating on low speed after each just until blended. Stir in carrots; spread over crust.

BAKE 45 to 50 min. or until center is almost set. Cool completely. Refrigerate 4 hours. Serve topped with COOL WHIP.

Valentine’s Day dinner 2019

 

 

 

 

All of the recipes were new this year:

Jicama, Carrot, and Green Apple Slaw

2 cups shredded napa cabbage
1/2 of one jicama, peeled and shaved (I used a carrot peeler to shave it, just so the jicama would look different from the daikon)
1 cup shredded daikon radish (more or less, daikon is pretty wet by itself)
1 Granny Smith apple – peeled, cored and chopped
2 (or more) large carrots, shredded
1 firm pear, chopped
1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons orange juice
1 tablespoon lime juice
sea salt and pepper to taste

Place the cabbage, jicama, radish, apple, carrot, pear, and cilantro into a mixing bowl. Sprinkle with olive oil, orange juice, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Toss until evenly blended and serve.

Carrot Soup with Lime and Chiles

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 pound peeled baby carrots
1/2 cup instant brown rice
28 oz. reduced sodium chicken broth
1 cup water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 small can chopped green chile peppers
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, and cook for a few minutes, then add the garlic, and saute for 1 more minutes. Add the carrots, rice, chicken broth, water and salt to the pan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, loosely covered for about 20 minutes, or until the carrots are tender. Stir in the green chilies and lime juice. Set aside to cool slightly.

Puree the soup using a hand immersion blender. Serve warm.

Pan-Roasted Chicken with Vegetables and Herbs

1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon paprika
1 pound chicken breast tenders
2 tablespoons olive oil
6 or 8 new white and purple potatoes, cut into quarters
8 ounces fresh baby carrots, green tops trimmed to 1-inch long
1 1/2 cups chicken stock
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano leaves
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves

Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Stir the flour, black pepper and paprika on a plate. Coat the chicken with the flour mixture.

Heat the oil in a 12-inch oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 10 minutes or until well browned on all sides. Remove the chicken from the skillet. Pour off any fat.

Add the onions and potatoes to the skillet and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the carrots, stock, lemon juice and oregano and heat to a boil. Return the chicken to the skillet. Cover the skillet.

Roast for 25 minutes. Uncover the skillet.

Roast, uncovered, for 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender. Sprinkle with the thyme, if desired.

Carrot Pecan Crunch Pie

1 (9 inch) unbaked pie shell
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 cup chopped pecans
4 cups carrots, cut into pieces
2 eggs
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 pinch salt

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

To Make Topping: In a medium bowl combine brown sugar, melted butter or margarine, and chopped pecans. Mix well and set aside.

To Make Carrot Custard: Steam carrots until tender. Drain and cool. Puree cooled carrots with hand immersion blender, and add eggs, condensed milk, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Blend until smooth. Pour carrot mixture into pie shell. Sprinkle with pecan topping.

Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

And we also had purple carrots, which made one carrot girl very happy:

Halloween 2018

Halloween in 2018 was very nice, the weather was just right.

There were some small guests at first:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lots of witches were there:

 

 

 

 

 

 

And they were brewing their mix:

 

 

 

 

 

 

I drew a runway on the driveway, but noone knew what it was: