Description
Roasted Carrots with Whipped Ricotta and Hot Honey brings Mediterranean elegance to your table, blending sweet, spicy, and creamy flavors. Crisp carrots drizzled with zesty honey create a luxurious side dish you’ll crave at every meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Vegetables:
- 1 kg (2.2 lbs) carrots, peeled and trimmed
Seasoning and Oils:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper
Dairy and Cheese Components:
- 1 cup (250 g) ricotta cheese
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
- 1 lemon (for zest and juice)
Hot Honey Ingredients:
- ¼ cup honey
- ½ teaspoon chili flakes
- ½ teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Garnish Ingredients:
- Fresh parsley or dill, chopped
- Crushed pistachios, almonds, or walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to a scorching 400F (200C), creating an ideal environment for transforming carrots into caramelized, flavor-packed delights.
- Meticulously cleanse and trim the carrots, creating uniform pieces that will roast evenly. Massage with olive oil, then generously season with salt, pepper, and aromatic herbs like thyme or rosemary.
- Arrange the seasoned carrots on a parchment-lined baking sheet, ensuring they’re spread in a single layer to promote optimal caramelization. Roast for 25-30 minutes, rotating midway to guarantee uniform golden-brown edges and tender interiors.
- During roasting, transform the ricotta into a luxuriously light and creamy accompaniment. Whip vigorously with a hand mixer, incorporating a delicate drizzle of olive oil and a whisper of salt to enhance its silky texture.
- Craft the hot honey by gently warming the honey with red pepper flakes or hot sauce. Allow the heat to gradually infuse, creating a spicy-sweet elixir that will elevate the dish’s complexity.
- Artfully plate the roasted carrots, crowning them with billowy clouds of whipped ricotta. Finish with a generous drizzle of the fiery honey, then garnish with fresh herb sprinklings to introduce a vibrant, aromatic finale.
Notes
- Customize carrot sizes to match your cooking style, cutting them whole, halved, or quartered for varied texture and visual appeal.
- Experiment with different herbs like thyme, rosemary, or za’atar to enhance the roasted carrots’ natural sweetness.
- Adjust hot honey spice level by gradually adding red pepper flakes or hot sauce, allowing personal heat preference to shine through.
- Transform the dish into a vegetarian or vegan option by using plant-based ricotta alternatives like cashew or almond-based cheese.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 21 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg