19

April

Easter Treat for You!

Here comes Peter Cottontail!  Last Friday Bolthouse Farms’ baby carrots were announced as the official snack of the Easter Bunny.  In partnership with Universal Pictures and the release of their new movie “HOP” Bolthouse has undertaken a campaign to position baby carrots as the ultimate junk food!  Music to my ears!  I applaud their marketing strategies, including repackaging carrots for school vending machines in bags that resemble Doritos or Cheetos.  I would also imagine our first lady, Michelle Obama and her “LET’S MOVE” effort, a cause near and dear to my heart would support our schools adding healthy living to their lesson plans.  Kudos to Bolthouse for hopping on that bandwagon and targeting our youth with a sweet, crunchy and convenient snack.  “HOP” had a $40 million dollar opening weekend, a $25 million dollar advertizing campaign to fool kids into eating baby carrots instead of Cheetos in my opinion, is money well spent!

So, on this upcoming spring day that starts off with your family running around the yard in search of decorated eggs, lets leave those busy bunnies with some alternative snacks in their Easter baskets to sustain their energy throughout Easter dinner.  The Easter Bunny himself would be in a carrot craze over this mousse.

CUISINIERS CARROT MOUSSE

  • 2 Packages unflavored gelatin
  • 1 Cup carrot juice
  • ½ Cup apple juice
  • 1 Cup cooked carrots, mashed
  • 1 Cup mango
  • 6 TBSP.  Greek yogurt
  • 2 TBSP.  chervil
  • 1 Tsp. ginger
  • 1 Tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1 Tsp. salt

In a small saucepot, sprinkle the gelatin over the 1 cup of carrot juice and set aside.  In a blender add the apple juice, mashed carrots and mango until smooth.  Add remaining ingredients to blender and puree.

Place saucepot on stove and heat gelatin mixture until gelatin granules dissolve.  Pull off heat and whisk gelatin mixture into carrot mixture until well combined.

Pour mousse into custard cups or ramekins and place in refrigerator for a minimum of 3 hours or overnight.  To serve, garnish with a sprig of fresh lemon balm.

Hippity Hoppity Happy Easter!