Description
Vivid honey roasted carrots elevate simple vegetables into a gourmet side dish with Mediterranean charm. Golden-brown caramelized edges and sweet glazed surfaces invite you to savor each delicious, herb-infused bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 kg (2 lbs) colorful carrots
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Finishing Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- ¼ cup crumbled feta or goat cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200C (400F) and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper or a light oil coating to prevent sticking.
- Create a luxurious glaze by whisking together olive oil, honey, balsamic vinegar, thyme, salt, and pepper in a spacious mixing bowl, ensuring all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
- Gently tumble the fresh carrots into the glossy glaze, meticulously rotating them until each vegetable is generously coated with the aromatic mixture.
- Distribute the glazed carrots across the prepared baking sheet in a precise single layer, allowing ample space between each piece to promote even caramelization and prevent steaming.
- Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven and roast for approximately 20-25 minutes, using tongs to flip the carrots midway through cooking to ensure uniform browning and tenderness.
- For an enhanced caramelized finish, activate the broiler during the final 2-3 minutes, vigilantly monitoring to prevent burning while developing a rich, golden exterior.
- Once removed from the oven, adorn the roasted carrots with finely chopped fresh parsley and optional crumbled feta or goat cheese for a delightful flavor and textural contrast.
- Serve immediately as an elegant accompaniment to roasted meats, grilled seafood, or as a standout vegetarian side dish that celebrates the natural sweetness of the vegetables.
Notes
- Choose colorful carrots like purple, yellow, and orange for a visually stunning dish that adds excitement to your meal.
- Control honey glazing by adjusting sweetness levels – less honey creates a more savory profile, while more honey intensifies caramelization.
- Slice carrots uniformly to guarantee even roasting and prevent some pieces from burning while others remain undercooked.
- Experiment with alternative herbs like rosemary or oregano instead of thyme to create unique flavor variations that match different main courses.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Side Dish
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 215
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg