Lemony Carrot “Fettuccine” features ribbons of carrot masquerading as pasta in a cream sauce reminiscent of Fettuccine Alfredo.
It is crazy to me how many people say they don’t like cooked carrots. I think this recipe for Lemony Carrot “Fettuccine” created by Sara Moulton from her 4th cookbook; Home Cooking 101 – How to Make Everything Taste Better is a game changer.
I recently had the privilege of meeting Sara at a media luncheon at Melissa’s Produce where we tasted several of her delightful dishes.
It was a packed house and we hung on every word from this culinary genius.
According to Sara, good cooking is about the details: having the pan hot enough, salting at the right moment, using certain techniques to maximize flavor as well as balancing the five components of taste (sweet, salty, bitter, sour, and umami).
Home Cooking 101 is a fabulous collection of 150 recipes as well as a teaching manual aimed at the home cook. I have been to culinary school and still found a wealth of information and tips that can be used in everyday cooking.
Sara is my long time culinary hero. I remember when I was working at Fox Sports and insisted everyone in the room watch Cooking Live on the Food Network, and we all became better cooks for it. She is as delightful in person as she is on TV. You can currently watch Sara on public television’s Sara’s Weeknight Meals.
Here are a few of the dishes we sampled.
Root Vegetable Bourguignon pg. 216 & Spicy Creamed Corn with Roasted Hatch Chile, Scallions & Fresh Basil pg. 288
Sara includes s a summer & winter version of this crazy good corn recipe that doesn’t include cream since the natural starch in corn provides enough creaminess.
Fancy Stuffed Eggs with Truffle Zest & Fresh Chives pg.288 & Beef Stroganoff Burgers w/ Dried Porcini Mushrooms, Perfect Sweet Onions & Peeled Garlic pg. 154
Bananas Foster Crepes pg. 323 & Strawberry Cannoli Calzones pg. 328
Today’s Recipe: Lemony Carrot “Fettuccine”
This dish cooks quickly and the carrot ribbons can be made in advance to save even more time.
I used multi-colored carrots which the purple ones caused the sauce to go pink, which I thought was kind of fun. I used the full eight ounces of the Neufchatel cheese to create an extra creamy sauce.
Once cooked, you’ll want to serve before the ribbons go soft. Happily, cooking this dish is simple enough to do at the last minute. And it’s both delicious and filling.
Lemon Carrot "Fettuccine"
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup chopped pistachios
- 2 pounds large carrots peeled and stem ends discarded
- 1 cup homemade vegetable stock or store-bought vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated lemon zest
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 6 to 8 ounces Neufchatel 1/3-less-fat cream cheese
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spread the pistachios in a single layer in a shallow baking dish and bake them on the middle shelf of the oven until fragrant, about 5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
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Meanwhile, using a swivel blade or a Y-shape vegetable peeler, peel the carrots into long, fettuccine-like strands, discarding the core (or, save it for a snack or a stock).
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Combine the vegetable stock, lemon zest, a hefty pinch of salt, and several grinds of pepper in a large skillet; whisk the mixture until the zest is well distributed.
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Break up the cream cheese into small pieces and add it to the skillet along with the carrot strands. Cover the skillet tightly and bring the stock to
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a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer the carrots, covered, 3 minutes. Remove the lid, and stir the carrots gently with tongs to make sure that the cheese is well distributed. Cover and simmer just until the carrots are tender, 1 to 2 minutes more.
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Stir in the lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste. Mound the carrot "fettuccine" on each of 4 plates and top each portion with one-fourth of the toasted pistachios and the chives.
Recipe Notes
START TO FINISH: 35 MINUTES I HANDS-ON TIME: 30 MINUTES I SERVINGS: 4
Quote of the Day:
“Cooking and dining together with your loved ones is the recipe for a good life.” – Sara Moulton
“Sara’s recipes make cooking and dining a real joy in my house.” – Cathy
…and then, she paused for thought.
What a great idea for a recipe, and love your Pink Sauce!
Thanks Susan, I do hope you try this as it is quite amazing.
A tasty new way to enjoy eating carrots.
Thank Carolyn a.k.a. Mom, I knew you would love this recipe. Thanks for being my taste tester. 🙂
Cathy your carrot ribbons are gorgeous! Such a great recap of a great event!
Thanks Valentina, I am enjoying many of Sara’s recipes as I am sure you are as well.
Can’t wait to try this colorful recipe! And so healthy. The event was such an inspiration!
Thanks Mary, it is colorful and super easy to make.
Gorgeous! I will have to try this, especially as I try to stick to my resolution to replace pasta with more vegetables. ; )
Good luck Jeanne with your resolution. I was suprised how easy this was to make. Here’s to a great and healthy 2017.
That was a great day! What a tasty looking recipe! Love how easy and healthy it looks.
This recipe comes together easily and really impressed me. Enjoy!
Oh man this is amazing! I love it!
I really hope you try this!
I’m sure Sara is thrilled by the success you’ve had with this gorgeous “pasta” dish. GREG
I am pretty thrilled as well. It was a new concept for me to make this fun dish.
I can’t believe those are actually carrots! 😮
I couldn’t agree with you more. It was a new concept to me and one that I will be repeating often.
The healthiest fettuccine ever! And a genius recipe! Thanks so much for sharing your fun experience with us. Always enjoy the events that you take us in 🙂
This is a must-try recipe. And the picture says it is SEXY 🙂
So glad you enjoy the events as much as I do. I think you will really like this recipe as well. 🙂