Summer Entertaining with Just Veg

Summer's almost here and it's nearly November which we all know means work break-up parties, Christmas get-togethers and weekend barbeques. Over the next few weeks in partnership with Just Veg, I will be bringing you the BEST summer entertaining recipes that are healthy, delicious and full to the brim with carrots!

Just Veg is a range of ready-to-eat cut carrot products, developed by the wives of the farmers who grow them. The range is available exclusively from Woolworths in Queensland, NSW and Victoria.  I picked some up during the week and loved opening the packet to reveal lots of gorgeously orange, crisp and sweet-smelling carrots. They were so crunchy, it was as though they had been just picked! And I would know because the recipes kind of went like this, "one carrot for the recipe, one carrot for me!"

The Just Veg carrots are Aussie-grown in sunny Queensland by Aussie farming families and are quick, convenient, healthy and packed with nutrition - think beta carotene, vitamin K and B6 plus a good dose of fibre. Just Veg was created by a group of farmers' wives, who wanted to provide a healthy solution for busy people, because after all, they are the busiest of people! And my favourite part? They use all of the wonky or imperfect carrots in Just Veg products, no need to be a supermodel here! The carrots are washed, cut and in bags within hours of harvest.  I love that these women have thought of a way to make healthy eating just that little bit easier!

Just Veg is on special at Woolworths from November 1 to 9 (find the range in the fresh cuts section), so why not pick up a pack or two and get creative with carrots by making a beautiful spread for your friends and family or simply nibbling on some carrot sticks at snack time? Yum!

To arrange platter - Make one recipe each of Carrot Chips, Quick Pickle Carrots, Mini Carrot Meatballs, and Carrot Fritters (below). Then arrange onto a platter or cheeseboard with one wedge of mild blue cheese, Just Veg Carrot Sticks, assorted crackers, olives with carrot shreds threaded through, mini melon balls on a skewer with baby bocconcini and prosciutto and beetroot dip from your local deli or supermarket. 

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Carrot Fritters

by Melanie Lionello October-28-2016

Delicious and easy! GF, DF

Ingredients

• 150g Just Veg Carrot Shred
• 5 tbs corn flour
• pinch of salt
• 1/4 red onion, finely diced
• 2 eggs
• 2 tbs parsley, finely chopped
• Oil for shallow frying

Instructions

Place everything into a bowl and combine very well. Heat oil on medium heat and carefully place spoonfuls of mixture into the pan. Fry on each side until golden, then rest on paper towel until ready to serve.

Details

Prep time: 15 mins Cook time: 10 mins Total time: 25 mins Yield:

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Quick Pickle Carrots

by Melanie Lionello October-28-2016

So easy! GF, DF, V

Ingredients

• 150g Just Veg Carrot Shred
• 1 cup apple cider vinegar
• pinch of salt
• 2 tbs coconut sugar
• pinch of pepper
• 2/3 cup water

Instructions

In a saucepan, gently heat vinegar, sugar, salt, water and pepper together until simmering and sugar and salt has dissolved. Pack your carrot shred into a mason jar, then top with vinegar mixture. Leave for 30 mins (minimum) and serve. *You may have vinegar mixture leftover depending on the size of your jar so you can always add more carrot and utilise it in another jar.

Details

Prep time: 10 mins Cook time: 10 mins Total time: 20 mins Yield:

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Mini Carrot Meatballs

by Melanie Lionello October-28-2016

A crowd-pleaser! GF, DF

Ingredients

• 1 cup Just Veg Carrot Shred
• 500g lean beef mince
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/4 red onion, very finely diced
• 1/2 tsp cracked black pepper
• 1 egg

Instructions

Place everything into a bowl and combine very well with your hands. Heat a non-stick pan on medium and begin to roughly roll little balls a bit smaller than golf balls and place directly into the pan as you go. You can do this in batches if your pan doesn’t fit all of the meatballs. Turn meatballs every couple of minutes until browned all over. Serve two on a toothpick on the platter.

Details

Prep time: 10 mins Cook time: 30 mins Total time: 40 mins Yield:

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Carrot Chips

by Melanie Lionello October-28-2016

Tender carrot chips that are still sturdy enough to dip! DF, V

Ingredients

• 1 packet Just Veg Carrot Stick
• spray olive oil
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• 2 tbs semolina

Instructions

Preheat grill inside oven. Place semolina, salt and paprika into a cup and combine. Place carrot sticks on baking paper lined tray. Spray with olive oil. Sprinkle over the semolina mixture. Grill for 5-10 (depending on how hot your grill gets, just keep an eye on it) minutes until the tops begin to colour then serve.

Details

Prep time: 5 mins Cook time: 10 mins Total time: 15 mins Yield: