Minted Carrots

I spent a few weeks in Philadelphia over the past couple of months for work.  Anyone that has traveled for work knows that it is not quite the same experience has traveling for leisure.  First, generally you do not get to pick the destination; second, you may be spending most of your free time on your own; and thirdly, most of your time is taken up with work!

With all that said, let's focus on the positives.  First off, it is a trip!  And I love a good trip.  Secondly, you have to don't have to do any dishes, laundry or other house hold chores like on a normal work week.  And thirdly, there are still lots of great opportunities to explore the food.  First a couple of highlights of Philly.

My absolute favorite place in Philadelphia is the Philadelphia Museum of Art!  I went both trips and would go every time I am in Philly!   First off, they have Wednesdays, pay what you want; don't be cheap here, give them at least 50%.  The building is so amazing I could just wandering there for the day.  As many of you know, the infamous "Rocky Steps" or actually the "museum steps" that lead up to the museum are here and you can get your iconic photo at the top.  It also has a great view of the skyline here. 

Also, if you have time, check out the hippos and shark tunnel at Adventure Aquarium.  Watching them feed the hippos is awesome!  Now to the food!

Of course, you have your normal food icons of Philly.  You have the Philly cheesesteak; Philadelphia cheesecake; and I didn't know it before traveling there, but your pretzel twists (those are a big thing there).  And we will get to all that in another post; but this post is about a unique little recipe I discovered at, this yummy little place down the street from work, Agno Grill. The ingredients here are so fresh and simple; but creative and delish!  Check out their site for the details  on their menu; as we are talking about the amazing carrots!

They roast the carrots and then toss them with mint!  Simple, right!  And amazing!  These carrots are so good and so easy to make; add them to a salad, to a rice bowl, a wrap, have them as a side on their own.   I kept going back the whole time I was there for these carrots!

Wanderer's Shopping List
Carrots (as many as you want; washed and peeled)
Mint (lots - good handful; washed, dried and diced)
Olive Oil
Salt

That's it!

First, break out your cast iron grill or head over to your BBQ.  Grease up which every you are using and put your carrots on there for 20 minutes rotating throughout.  If cooking on the cast iron grill, cover with foil loosely.  You want good grill marks, but you are not cooking the carrots fully.  They should still have a slight, slight crunch to them when you remove them. 

Next, let cool slightly and cut carrots on a bias.  Toss in bowl with small ( I mean small) amount of olive oil, your mint and salt to taste. 

And you are done.  Now you can add these to any salad or whatever you would like; get crazy.  Trust me; you will be making this all the time!  If you are not a mint fan, give it a try with basil or thyme.