Hidden Veggie Carrot and Onion Puree

Looking for an easy way to add more veggies to your meals without compromising on flavor? My Hidden Veggie Carrot and Onion Puree is the perfect solution! I created this recipe to seamlessly incorporate vegetables into tomato sauces and soups, adding a hidden boost of nutrition while layering deep, rich flavors. Whether you're making a quick dinner or crafting a complex dish, this puree will elevate your cooking with minimal effort.

The Hidden Veggie Carrot and Onion Puree is more than just a way to sneak in extra veggies; it's a secret weapon for creating deeply flavorful dishes with minimal effort. Perfect for busy weeknights or anytime you want to add a nutritious punch to your meals, this puree is sure to become a staple in your kitchen. Make a big batch, freeze it, and have it ready to enhance your sauces and soups with ease!

Nutritional Benefits

This puree is not only delicious but also packed with nutritional benefits. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, an antioxidant that supports eye health, while onions and garlic provide a good source of vitamins C and B6, as well as folate. The addition of fresh herbs like parsley adds a dose of vitamin K and other micronutrients. Incorporating this puree into your meals is an easy way to boost your intake of essential vitamins and minerals without even noticing!

Versatility of Hidden Veggie Carrot and Onion Puree

You can easily incorporate this Hidden Veggie Carrot and Onion Puree into a variety of dishes to boost flavor and nutrition. For example, mix it into my Homemade Sloppy Joes to add a sweet and savory depth that enhances the sauce without anyone noticing the added veggies. It also pairs perfectly with a Classic Pomodoro Sauce, providing a subtle sweetness and richness that balances the acidity of the tomatoes while adding an extra layer of complexity. For a quick and delicious Kid-Friendly Weeknight Bolognese, this puree adds a smooth, velvety texture to the sauce, helping it cling beautifully to pasta and infusing every bite with a hidden nutritional boost. By using this puree in these recipes, you can effortlessly enhance the flavor and nutritional profile of your favorite meals.

Chef's Tip: Layering Flavors in Professional Kitchens

In professional kitchens, chefs often create "bases" or foundational elements that can be used across multiple dishes to save time without compromising on flavor. These bases, like this Hidden Veggie Carrot and Onion Puree, allow chefs to layer flavors deeply and efficiently, ensuring that every dish has a complex, well-rounded taste. By preparing these versatile components in advance, chefs can enhance various recipes quickly, maintaining high-quality standards and consistency in every bite.

Ingredients for Carrot and Onion Puree

I selected these ingredients to create a balanced and flavorful puree that adds depth to any dish. Carrots provide natural sweetness and vibrant color, while Vidalia onions and garlic offer a mild, aromatic base. Thyme and Italian parsley bring fresh herbal notes that enhance the overall flavor profile, and the extra virgin olive oil adds richness and smoothness. Salt and pepper are essential for seasoning, allowing the flavors to shine, while a bit of water ensures the puree blends to a smooth, creamy consistency. Together, these ingredients create a versatile puree that can elevate various dishes by adding hidden layers of flavor and nutrition.

Ingredients:

• Carrots
• Vidalia onion
• Garlic
• Thyme
• Italian parsley
• Cooking oil or butter
• Salt and pepper
• Water

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

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1. Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables- Start by chopping the carrots into rough pieces, slicing the Vidalia onion, and pealing and smashing the garlic. This helps everything cook evenly and brings out more flavor from the garlic.

2. Sauté- Heat a skillet, and once hot, add about 2 tablespoons of cooking oil or butter, then toss in everything. The chopped carrots, sliced onions, garlic, and herbs. Season in layers, meaning add a little and taste, wait, and repeat. Sauté until the carrots are tender and the onions turn translucent, around 10-15 minutes. Toss occasionally to prevent sticking. A little color never hurts anyone. It'll add flavor.

3. Step 3: Blend- Transfer the sautéed vegetables and herbs (minus the thyme sprig) into a blender. Add about ¼ cup of water to aid the blending process. Blend on high until you reach a smooth, creamy puree. If the mixture seems too thick, add more water, a tablespoon at a time, until you achieve your desired consistency.

4. Step 4: Use or Store: Your Hidden Veggie Carrot and Onion Puree is ready to use! This versatile puree can be used immediately or stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week or freeze to use for months to come.

Hint: For easy use, freeze the puree in an ice cube tray. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a freezer-safe bag or container. These cubes can be quickly added to sauces, soups, or stews for an instant boost of flavor and nutrition. Frozen puree cubes will keep well for up to six months.

Substitutions

Using Fresh vs. Dried Herbs:

While I prefer fresh herbs like thyme and parsley for their superior flavor and aroma, dried herbs are a suitable alternative if fresh ones aren't available. Keep in mind that dried herbs are more concentrated, so you'll need less of them—about one-third of the amount you'd use for fresh herbs.

Variations

For a spicier variation of this Hidden Veggie Carrot and Onion Puree, consider adding some chopped peppers, such as roasted poblanos, serranos, or even a bit of habanero, depending on your heat preference. The peppers will infuse the puree with a delightful kick that can elevate your dishes to a new level.

First, roast the peppers over an open flame to char them, then clean them by scraping away the skin, then slice and remove the seeds. Then, sauté the cleaned and sliced peppers along with the carrots, onions, and garlic to allow their flavors to meld together. This spicy version works wonderfully in chili, spicy pasta sauces, or even as a zesty addition to taco meat, giving you a versatile base that adds both heat and hidden vegetables to your meals.

Equipment

To make this Hidden Veggie Carrot and Onion Puree, you'll need a few essential pieces of kitchen equipment. A good cutting board and sharp knife are crucial for chopping the carrots and slicing the onions with ease. A large sauté pan is needed to cook the vegetables until they are soft and flavorful. You'll also might need a wooden spatula to stir the ingredients while they sauté. Finally, a blender or food processor is key to achieving a smooth, creamy puree. If you're planning to freeze the puree, having an ice cube tray on hand will make portioning and storing easy. With these basic tools, you'll be well-equipped to create a delicious and versatile puree to enhance your dishes.

Storage

To store the Hidden Veggie Carrot and Onion Puree, you can refrigerate it in an airtight container for ten days. For longer storage, freeze the puree in any airtight container. I recommend using an ice cube tray. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a freezer-safe bag or container, where they can be kept for up to six months. These frozen cubes are perfect for quickly adding to sauces, soups, or stews for an easy boost of flavor and nutrition.

FAQ

Related

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Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to use Hidden Veggie Carrot and Onion Puree in:

Hidden Veggie Carrot and Onion Puree

Taylor @ Cain Kitchen

This simple puree combines sautéed carrots, onions, garlic, and fresh herbs, blended into a smooth mixture. Perfect for adding depth and hidden veggies to soups, sauces, and stews, it can be refrigerated or frozen for easy use in various dishes.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 6 servings

Calories 68 kcal

Equipment

• cutting board
• knife
• sauté pan
• wooden spatula
• blender
• ice cube tray optional
• airtight container

Ingredients

  

• 3 carrots rough chop
• 1 white onion rough chop
• 2 cloves garlic peeled and smashed
• 1 sprig thyme
• ½ bunch Italian parsley
• cooking oil or butter
• salt and pepper to taste
• water if needed

Instructions

 

• Prepare the Vegetables- Start by chopping the carrots into rough pieces, slicing the Vidalia onion, and pealing and smashing the garlic. This helps everything cook evenly and brings out more flavor from the garlic.
  3 carrots, 2 cloves garlic, 1 white onion
• Sauté- Heat a skillet, and once hot, add about 2 tablespoons of cooking oil or butter, then toss in everything. The chopped carrots, sliced onions, garlic, and herbs. Season in layers, meaning add a little and taste, wait, and repeat. Sauté until the carrots are tender and the onions turn translucent, around 10-15 minutes. Toss occasionally to prevent sticking. A little color never hurts anyone. It'll add flavor.
  1 sprig thyme, ½ bunch Italian parsley, cooking oil or butter, salt and pepper
• Blend- Transfer the sautéed vegetables and herbs (minus the thyme sprig) into a blender. Add about ¼ cup of water to aid the blending process. Blend on high until you reach a smooth, creamy puree. If the mixture seems too thick, add more water, a tablespoon at a time, until you achieve your desired consistency.
  water
• Use or Store: Your Hidden Veggie Carrot and Onion Puree is ready to use! This versatile puree can be used immediately or stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week or freeze to use for months to come.

Keyword Carrot and onion puree, Healthy sauce base, Hidden veggie puree, Homemade soup enhancer, Vegetable puree recipe