Creamy Herb-Infused Carrots & Peas Delight
Elevate your side dish game with this Creamy Herb-Infused Carrots & Peas Delight, a vibrant combination of tender carrots and sweet green peas. This dish is not only quick and simple to prepare but also light on calories thanks to the use of fat-free cream cheese. Infused with a touch of unsalted butter and seasoned perfectly with salt and white pepper, this recipe comes together in just a matter of minutes. For an extra boost of flavor, sprinkle some Molly McButter before serving. It's an ideal accompaniment for any meal, adding a splash of color and an abundance of flavor to your plate.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
6
Ingredients
Ingredients
carrot
3/4 lb (thinly sliced)
green peas
1/2 lb (thawed)
unsalted butter
1 teaspoon (for sautéing)
fat-free cream cheese
1 ounce (room temperature, cut up)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (for seasoning)
white pepper
1/4 teaspoon (for seasoning)
Instructions
1
Start by preparing a steamer basket and bring a pot of water to a boil.
2
Once boiling, add the thinly sliced carrots to the steamer basket and cover the saucepan with a lid.
3
Steam the carrots for approximately 4 minutes until they start to become tender.
4
After 4 minutes, add the thawed green peas to the steamer basket with the carrots and continue to steam for an additional 3 to 4 minutes, or until both the carrots and peas are tender.
5
Once steamed, carefully drain the vegetables and return them to the saucepan.
6
Add the unsalted butter and fat-free cream cheese to the warm vegetables, allowing the residual heat to help melt the cheese.
7
Sprinkle the salt and white pepper over the vegetables, then gently toss everything together until well combined and creamy.
8
For an extra burst of flavor, top with a generous sprinkle of Molly McButter just before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Herb-Infused Carrots & Peas Delight?
It is a vibrant side dish featuring tender carrots and sweet green peas in a light, creamy sauce made with fat-free cream cheese and unsalted butter.
How many ingredients are required for this recipe?
This recipe requires 6 main ingredients: carrots, green peas, unsalted butter, fat-free cream cheese, salt, and white pepper.
How long should I steam the carrots?
The carrots should be steamed alone for approximately 4 minutes before adding the peas.
When do I add the green peas to the steamer?
Add the thawed green peas after the carrots have already steamed for 4 minutes.
What is the total steaming time for the peas?
The peas should be steamed with the carrots for an additional 3 to 4 minutes until both are tender.
Is this recipe considered healthy?
Yes, it is tagged as healthy and low-fat, specifically utilizing fat-free cream cheese to keep the calorie count light.
Can I use regular butter instead of unsalted butter?
While the recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of unsalted butter, you can use regular butter, though you may want to adjust the added salt accordingly.
How should the carrots be prepared before cooking?
The carrots should be thinly sliced to ensure they cook quickly and evenly in the steamer basket.
Should the green peas be frozen when added to the steamer?
No, the peas should be thawed before being added to the steamer basket.
What provides the creaminess in this dish?
The creaminess comes from the combination of one ounce of fat-free cream cheese and a teaspoon of unsalted butter melted into the warm vegetables.
What type of pepper is recommended for seasoning?
White pepper is recommended to season the vegetables and maintain the dish's aesthetic.
What is the recommended garnish for extra flavor?
A generous sprinkle of Molly McButter is suggested just before serving for an extra burst of flavor.
Is this dish suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this is a vegetarian-friendly side dish as it contains no meat products.
What weight of carrots is needed?
You will need 3/4 lb of carrots for this recipe.
What weight of green peas is needed?
You will need 1/2 lb of thawed green peas.
How do I incorporate the cream cheese and butter?
Add them to the warm, drained vegetables and allow the residual heat to melt them as you gently toss the mixture.
Do I need to boil the vegetables?
No, the vegetables are steamed in a basket over boiling water rather than being submerged.
What is the preparation for the cream cheese?
The cream cheese should be at room temperature and cut into pieces for easier melting.
Is this a quick recipe to make?
Yes, it is described as quick and easy, coming together in just a matter of minutes.
Can I use black pepper instead of white pepper?
Yes, though white pepper is specified, black pepper can be used if you don't mind the visual flakes.
Does this recipe use oil?
No, this recipe uses a small amount of butter and cream cheese for texture instead of oil.
How much salt should I add?
The recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of salt for seasoning.
What is the primary cooking method used?
The primary cooking method for the vegetables is steaming.
What type of container should I return the vegetables to after draining?
Return the drained vegetables to the saucepan to mix with the cheese and butter.
Is this recipe low-calorie?
Yes, the description notes it is light on calories due to the use of fat-free cream cheese.
What category does this recipe fall under?
It is categorized as a vegetable side dish.
What should the final texture of the dish be?
The final texture should be creamy and the vegetables should be tender.
Can this recipe be served with any meal?
Yes, it is described as an ideal accompaniment for any meal, adding color and flavor.
Do I need to keep the heat on when adding the cream cheese?
No, the residual heat from the steamed vegetables is sufficient to melt the cream cheese and butter.
How much white pepper is used?
The recipe uses 1/4 teaspoon of white pepper.