Craving Carrots?

This carrot patch luncheon yields garden-fresh flavor and springtime appeal.

By, Grace Yaskovic, Branchville, New Jersey

Coming up with a novel idea for our monthly theme luncheon group in April had me stumped at first. We’ve been getting together for over 5 years, and I didn’t want to repeat anything that had been done before.

Then carrots came to mind! They’re colorful, versatile and fit a spring mood without duplicating other Easter themes.

The meal I planned was well-"rooted!" Creamy Carrot Soup, a pretty puree with hints of rosemary and ginger, whet appetites for more to come.

Next was Carrot Pilaf, featuring shredded carrots with rice, and Zesty Carrot Bake. Both were perfect accompaniments to herb-roasted chicken I prepared.

"Save room for dessert!" I cautioned. Moist Carrot Cake was waiting in the wings. Guests were surprised to learn this cake calls for a can of tomato soup!

Producing a theme around a popular garden "ingredient" turned out to be both tasty and a lot of fun. If you like the idea, hop to it and plan a similar menu for your family or friends this spring!