Instant Pot Steamed Carrots- Moroccan Style

Steamed carrots made in the Instant Pot taste exceptionally good, especially when tossed in some Moroccan style herbs and spices before serving. Sometimes simple food is best. Carrots are delicious and healthy for you.

Steam them in the Instant Pot

I pressure cook sliced carrots for just 2 minutes in the Instant Pot and then quick release the steam so the carrots don't overcook and get mushy. (of course if you are familiar with the Instant Pot you know that you must allow time for the pot to "pre-heat" before it actually begins cooking- similarly to baking cookies in the oven- it needs to preheat- so it might add 10 minutes to the final time.

1. Steam the carrots

2. Make the dressing of lemon juice and herbs

3. Toss together 

4. Allow to sit and mingle unrefrigerated

Healthy Side Dish- Oil-free Version

It's a quick and easy side dish that is delicious and healthy and is perfect for any week night or even to serve to company. The aromatic flavors of the minced fresh garlic and the ground cumin are guarnateed to permeate the air bringing everyone to the kitchen to see what's cooking. 

In fact, when I was making this recipe, a contractor came by to fix something at our condo and upon walking in the front door he said, "wow- you are cooking something that smells really good."

Benefits of Ingredients

Carrots contain beta-carotene and vitamin A which are really good for the eyes (your mom may have told you that) as well as calcium and vitamin k for strong bones. In addition carrots provide essential fiber and antioxidants to help protect cell damage.

Garlic- Great for immune defense, is anti-inflammatory, good for the heart and circulatory system.

Cumin- High in antioxidants and provides iron

There are many ways to make Moroccan carrot salad. I've shared two recipes in the past. 

This recipe is a little different because this recipe is oil-free and much lower in calories. I also added chopped sweet red pepper and it made it in the Instant Pot. 

Ingredients: 

5 cups of sliced carrots 

4 fat pieces of garlic, minced

1 teaspoon of cumin powder (or more to taste)

1 cup of diced red sweet pepper

1/2 cup of chopped cilantro (or parsley if you prefer)

Juice of 2 lemons or limes, freshly squeezed

Salt and cracked pepper to taste 

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Optional: Hot pepper flakes to taste

Optional: 1/4 cup of olive oil

Directions:

Using an Instant Pot, place the steamer basket in the Instant Pot liner. Add 4 cups of water. Place sliced carrots into the steamer basket, secure the lid, set to pressure cook for 2 minutes. When done, release steam manually according to the manufacturers directions. When all steam in released, carefully remove the lid and remove the sliced steamed carrots and place into a large glass bowl. Mix with the remainder of ingredients, toss well and allow to marinate for 1 hour on the counter top covered.

Notes: 

1. This side dish tastes best at room temperature. Flavors will increase with time. 

2. This dish is gluten-free, oil-free, and vegan.

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