Peel the carrots (or not) and cut them into chunks. 

In a medium saucepan, cover the carrots with just enough water to submerge them. Cover and boil (or steam) them for about 15–20 minutes until very soft. 

Drain the carrots, but reserve a little of the cooking water in case you need to adjust the texture.

Return the carrots to the pot.

Add the butter, cream, and a pinch of nutmeg. A Microplane is a handy tool for grating nutmeg.

Purée using an immersion blender until smooth, adding a splash of the reserved cooking water if you want a thinner texture. You can also use a potato masher for a rustic texture or a food mill, but an immersion blender is a worthwhile addition to your kitchen for convenience and easy cleanup.

Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Serve as a side or as a bed for meats, fish, or chicken. 

Carrot purée and braised pork loin

Smooth carrot purée made using an immersion blender

Mashed carrot purée using a potato masher ... in the background is carrot water from boiling, which I use to make rice — why not?! 

Fresh nutmeg and a Microplane

Menu Ideas:

Serve as a side dish or as a bed for roast chicken, rack of lamb, braised beef or pork, or fish en papillote.

Variations

Add one yellow potato to every six carrots for a thicker purée.

Add a dollop of crème fraîche to add a new layer of flavor.

Try with sautéed onions or a clove of garlic — add these ingredients to the carrots and purée everything together.

Add a splash of fresh orange juice and zest.

For a lighter version, swap the butter for a drizzle of olive oil, or use chicken stock instead of cream.

Add a few fresh herbs like thyme, parsley, or chives. 

Use your Kitchen Intuition and have fun flavoring your purée! 

Time Tips: 

Involve a child or family member in peeling and chopping the carrots, and make it a moment together.

Cook in stages. When you're in the kitchen doing something else, boil or steam the carrots. Then drain and store them — right in the pan. When you're ready to prepare your puree, put the pan on the stove, add the rest of the ingredients, warm, and puree.

Kids' crinkle-cut safety knife

Carrot purée with rack of lamb

Brasied pork over carrot purée

A scallop on a bed of leftover carrot purée for a small course — made with leftovers

Save This to Your App

You can save this idea to your recipe app for when you have leftover steamed or roasted carrots. Then, put them in a small pot, warm them, and add some cream and butter. In minutes, you've transformed your leftovers into a new, exciting side! You can also make it thicker and serve it as a dip.

When you use your Kitchen Intuition, you'll always come up with a delicious idea.