Carrot caviar is a fun and creative dish that mimics the texture and look of traditional caviar, but it's made from carrots. This can be used as a unique garnish or appetizer. It’s often prepared using a molecular gastronomy technique called spherification, which involves turning carrot juice into small, caviar-like pearls. Here's a recipe for making carrot caviar using basic spherification.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups fresh carrot juice (you can juice your own or use store-bought)
- 1 gram sodium alginate (a gelling agent, available online or in specialty stores)
- 5 grams calcium chloride (used to create the spherification reaction)
- 2 cups water (for the calcium bath)
- Olive oil or neutral oil (for serving, optional)
- Fresh herbs or microgreens for garnish (optional)
Equipment:
- An immersion blender or regular blender
- A dropper or syringe
- Small bowls or containers
Instructions:
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Prepare the Carrot Juice Base:
- Pour the carrot juice into a bowl.
- Slowly sprinkle the sodium alginate over the juice while blending with an immersion blender. Blend until fully dissolved. Let the mixture rest for about 15-20 minutes to remove any air bubbles.
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Prepare the Calcium Bath:
- In another bowl, mix the calcium chloride with 2 cups of water until fully dissolved. This will be used to create the caviar spheres.
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Form the Caviar:
- Using a dropper or syringe, drop small amounts of the carrot-alginate mixture into the calcium bath. As the droplets hit the calcium solution, they will form into small caviar-like pearls.
- Let the carrot spheres sit in the calcium bath for about 30 seconds to 1 minute, depending on the desired firmness.
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Rinse the Caviar:
- Remove the carrot caviar from the calcium bath using a slotted spoon or mesh strainer.
- Rinse the caviar in a bowl of clean water to remove any excess calcium chloride.
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Serve:
- Serve the carrot caviar as a garnish on salads, canapés, or on small spoons with a drizzle of olive oil. You can also garnish with fresh herbs or microgreens for added flavor and presentation.
This carrot caviar makes for a visually stunning and sophisticated touch to any dish. It’s a playful way to add the natural sweetness of carrots with a fun texture!
