Mark Greenaway recipes: Carrots in Orange and butter with star anise| Cranberry and chestnut stuffing

I can’t believe it is almost the middle of December! Christmas is rapidly heading our way but there is no need to panic. As promised, this week I continue to share my recipes for the perfect side dishes for your festive meal, which will bring excitement to your table.
Fresh Cranberry and Chestnut Stuffing. Picture: Paul JohnstonFresh Cranberry and Chestnut Stuffing. Picture: Paul Johnston
Fresh Cranberry and Chestnut Stuffing. Picture: Paul Johnston

I’ve had some reaction to my very fetching Christmas jumper, pictured above. All of the tweets and Facebook photos of your festive woolies are brightening up the dark December 
days so please keep them coming! @markgreenaway

Carrots cooked in range and butter with star anise

Serves 4

Carrots cooked in Orange and Butter with Star Anise. Picture: Paul JohnstonCarrots cooked in Orange and Butter with Star Anise. Picture: Paul Johnston
Carrots cooked in Orange and Butter with Star Anise. Picture: Paul Johnston

Carrots are often viewed as a predictable option but that does not mean that they have to be boring.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Pairing them with just a couple of interesting flavours livens them up.

Here I share my recipe for carrots cooked in orange and butter with star anise. The orange adds a zesty kick, the star 
anise gives a comforting warmth.

And the butter offers real richness – it is Christmas after all!

Ingredients

300g carrots

250ml orange juice

60g caster sugar

4 star anise

Zest of 1 orange

150g butter

Method

Peel and cut the carrots into 2in batons or alternatively use baby carrots but make sure you scrub them well.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Add all of the ingredients to a heavy based pan and simmer until the carrots are tender.

Drain the carrots and reduce the liquor to a syrup consistency.

Pour the syrup back over the carrots and keep warm until needed.

Fresh cranberry and chestnut stuffing

Serves 6

No Christmas meal is complete without stuffing – it is a must! This is another side dish than can easily be enhanced by just a few delicious additions. The fresh cranberries in this recipe add a sharpness which cuts nicely through the rich pork.

Ingredients

1kg pork mince

1 egg, beaten

100g fresh cranberries, chopped

2 tbsp thyme, chopped

150g peeled chestnuts, chopped

2 shallots, finely diced

20g fresh white breadcrumbs

Method

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Preheat the oven to 185C. Mix all of the ingredients together.

Roll into a sausage shape and wrap in tinfoil.

Bake for 20 minutes.

Garnish this dish at the table with cranberry sauce and chopped hazelnuts.

Related topics: