**Maple Roasted Carrots with Carrot Top Pesto: A Symphony of Flavors Awaits**
Embark on a culinary journey with our delectable Maple Roasted Carrots accompanied by a vibrant Carrot Top Pesto. This symphony of flavors will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more. The sweetness of maple syrup, the earthy notes of roasted carrots, and the herbaceousness of carrot top pesto come together in perfect harmony. Whether you're hosting a dinner party or looking for a delightful side dish, this recipe is sure to impress. Plus, we've included a bonus recipe for Carrot Top Chimichurri, offering another layer of versatility to your culinary repertoire. Get ready to elevate your meals with this exceptional combination of flavors.
ROASTED CARROTS WITH CARROT TOP PESTO
Provided by Alex Guarnaschelli
Categories side-dish
Time 45m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Trim and reserve the carrot tops. In a large bowl, toss the carrots with 2 tablespoons olive oil and the curry powder and salt. Arrange the carrots in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast until tender when pierced with the tip of a knife, 15 to 20 minutes. Sprinkle with the brown sugar and roast 2 to 3 minutes more. Remove and cool.
- In the food processor, pulse the walnuts a few times to break them up. Add the basil, carrot tops, honey, 3 tablespoons olive oil, a pinch of salt and 1/4 cup cold water. Pulse until combined but not completely smooth. If dry or too chunky, add another tablespoon olive oil or 1 to 2 tablespoons water to loosen. Transfer to a medium bowl. Taste for seasoning.
- Transfer the carrots to a serving platter. Stir the vinegar into the pesto and spoon the pesto over the roasted carrots.
ROASTED CARROTS WITH CARROT-TOP PESTO AND BURRATA
If you can get your hands on burrata-a really special cheese, like delicate mozzarella with a creamy center-then you're already most of the way toward a great dish. In the spring, I'll serve burrata with Snap Pea Salad; in high summer, I'll pair it with slices of ripe tomato, good olive oil, and flaky salt. When summer fades, I crave burrata with roasted carrots, a pairing that's less common but no less worthy of your attention. The two are like good mates, each helping the other along: the sweetness of the carrots sets off the tanginess of the cheese; the cheese's tanginess makes the carrots tastes even sweeter. Pesto made from the carrot tops adds color and salty, herbaceous wallops throughout the dish.
Provided by Food Network
Time 1h
Yield Serves 4 to 6 as a Side
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 500 degrees F.
- Pour 2 tablespoons of the oil into a heavy ovenproof pan big enough to hold the carrots in a single layer. Set the pan over high heat and bring the oil to a light smoke. Add the carrots, sprinkle on 1 teaspoon of the salt, and turn the carrots to coat them in the oil. Cook, turning over the carrots occasionally, until they're browned in spots, 6 to 8 minutes. Pop the pan in the oven and roast, shaking the pan occasionally, until the carrots are evenly tender, 8 to 12 minutes, depending on the size of your carrots. Let the carrots cool slightly. Halve the burrata and arrange the halves on a platter. Arrange the carrots on the platter so they're pointing this way and that. Add the pesto here and there in little dollops.
- Pluck enough 2-to 3-inch delicate sprigs from the reserved carrot tops to make about 1 1/2 lightly packed cups and toss them in a bowl with the basil. Whisk together the remaining 2 tablespoons of the oil with the lemon juice and a good pinch of salt in a small bowl until the mixture looks creamy. Use a little of the lemon dressing to lightly dress the carrot top-basil mixture, sprinkle on a little more salt, and toss well. Arrange the mixture on top of the carrots and burrata. Drizzle everything with the remaining lemon dressing and serve.
- Combine the carrot tops and basil in a small food processor, pulse several times, then add the walnuts, Parmesan, garlic, and salt. Pulse several more times, add the oil, then process full-on, stopping and scraping down the sides of the processor or stirring gently if need be, until the mixture is well combined but still a bit chunky. Taste and season with more salt, if you fancy.
Tips:
- Choose the right carrots. Look for young, tender carrots with bright orange color and no blemishes. Smaller carrots will cook more evenly than larger ones.
- Roast the carrots at a high temperature. This will help to caramelize the natural sugars in the carrots and give them a slightly crispy exterior.
- Use a variety of spices. Don't be afraid to experiment with different spices to flavor your carrots. Some good options include cumin, coriander, paprika, and chili powder.
- Make sure the carrots are evenly coated in oil. This will help them to roast evenly and prevent them from sticking to the pan.
- Roast the carrots until they are tender. The carrots should be tender enough to easily pierce with a fork, but they should still have a slight bite to them.
- Serve the carrots immediately. Roasted carrots are best served hot out of the oven. They can be enjoyed on their own or as a side dish with chicken, fish, or beef.
Conclusion:
Roasted carrots are a delicious and healthy side dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. They are easy to make and can be customized to your own taste preferences. Whether you like them sweet, savory, or spicy, there is a roasted carrot recipe out there for you. So next time you are looking for a healthy and flavorful side dish, give roasted carrots a try. You won't be disappointed!
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