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Carrot and Orange Juice

Also known as Carrot and Orange Juice (Nigerian Vitamin Boost)

Carrot and Orange Juice is one of the most widely consumed homemade fresh juices in Nigerian urban households — a bright, intensely coloured, vitamin-packed combination of fresh carrots (rich in beta-carotene and vitamin A) and fresh Nigerian oranges (exceptionally rich in vitamin C) that produces a drink of remarkable nutritional density and outstanding flavour. Nigerian carrots, grown primarily in Plateau State, are exceptionally sweet and deeply coloured.

Carrot and Orange Juice, Nigerian cooking

Ingredients

  • 4 big fresh carrots, peeled and roughly chopped
  • 4 big ripe Nigerian oranges (use green-skinned ones if available — they are sweet despite the green colour) — juiced
  • 1 glass of cold water
  • A small piece of fresh ginger — optional
  • A squeeze of fresh lime juice
  • A pinch of salt
  • Ice cubes

Method

  1. 01

    Preparing the Carrots. Peel the carrots and cut into chunks. They are too firm to blend raw without water — always blend with liquid.

  2. 02

    Blending the Carrots. Place carrot chunks in a blender with 1 glass of cold water and the piece of ginger if using. Blend at high speed for 2 minutes until as smooth as possible.

  3. 03

    Straining. Strain the carrot liquid through a fine sieve or muslin cloth, pressing firmly to extract all the juice.

  4. 04

    Adding Orange Juice. Juice the oranges separately — use a citrus juicer or squeeze by hand. Add the fresh orange juice to the strained carrot juice.

  5. 05

    Finishing. Add lime juice and a pinch of salt. Stir well. The juice should be a beautiful deep orange colour.

  6. 06

    Serving. Pour over ice in clear glasses so the vibrant colour is visible.

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