Perfectly Roasted Carrots
Perfectly Roasted Carrots that have caramelized edges and are tender enough to eat without being mushy. These are a great vegetable side dish to any meal!
Perfectly Roasted Carrots
I’m pretty sure my friends think I’m going through a mid-life crisis. Three out of the four last weeks we have been traveling. First it was Hawaii with the boys, then I stayed in Arizona with all of the kids for a week.
We had a week home and then John and I went to New York for half the week and then I headed to a food blogger conference in Portland by myself for the weekend.
I was always going to Portland and when my husband pleaded with me to come to NYC earlier in the week with him I immediately told him no. That would mean I would be gone for an entire week.
In mom time that might as well be a year. My mom never left us. Like ever. It was ingrained in my brain that leaving your kids is not responsible. That I would be selfish and I would be shirking my motherhood duties.
But after MUCH convincing from my husband that I wouldn’t be the worst mom in the world and that I would not be neglecting my kids (quality time with grandma), I went. And had a trip of a lifetime might I add.
I’ll tell you…in one week I felt like I transported to my life before kids. No one to dress, no one to feed. No laundry, no dishes. It was nice…and weird. Who was I?
After 11 years of being at the beckon call of little people, who was this person who slept in, worked out, and then did whatever I wanted?
But I missed them. The little humans in my house. I missed chasing around my toddler, pleading with her to wear clothes (it’s an everyday battle). So no worries. I’m back. I’m here. I ready to negoigiate with people half my size.
I know carrots aren’t exactly the most exciting thing you can make. But these are roasted. Roasted until the edges just start to caramelize and an amazing nutty flavor appears out of nowhere.
You’ll never eat carrots any other way again.
You want to use a coarse salt like kosher salt.
Toss it with some good quality olive oil.
You want to roast them until the edges just start to caramelize. That’s flavor right there! Then toss it with some fresh dill or parsley. It not only brightens the flavor but adds some color for pretty presentation.
OTHER VEGETABLE RECIPES:
- Edamame Quinoa Salad
- Avocado Cucumber Salad
- Spinach, Feta, and Orzo Salad
- Healthy Vegetable Chicken Soup
- Broccoli Salad
- Sweet Potato and Black Bean Enchiladas
- Corn salsa
- Greek Salsa
Perfectly Roasted Carrots
These Perfectly Roasted Carrots that have caramelized edges and are tender enough to eat without being mushy.
Ingredients
- 12 carrots
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh dill or 2 tablespoons parsley
Instructions
-
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
-
If the carrots are thick, cut them in half lengthwise; if not, leave whole.
-
Slice the carrots diagonally in 1 1/2-inch-thick slices. The carrots will shrink a lot during cooking.
-
Toss them in a bowl with the olive oil, salt, and pepper.
-
Transfer to a sheet pan in 1 layer and roast in the oven for 20 minutes, until browned and tender. You may need longer depending on the thickness of your carrots.
-
Toss the carrots with minced dill or parsley, season to taste, and serve.
I browned some butter with fresh sage and tossed tri-color carrots in it and roasted them. Really good!
Wow yum!
I tried your recipe for roasted carrots. I’d never roasted them before. A tasty changer of pace. Thank you fur sharing.
Correction: change of pace
Great looking recipe. I was wondering if you could give any feedback on how to develop recipes on your own? I usually don’t write a lot of what I do down I just go with my gut and often I get inspired by what I read and see or try elsewhere. Any advice? Thanks!!!
Inspiration comes in all forms and will be individual to each person. Look for what inspires you!
I’m sure these are great! I make roasted sweet potatoes which are also great. If you add a dash of cinnamon, cumin, termeric and a few pepper flakes. These are also good when added to regular potatoes, or any veggie. Mix it up. My grandKids love them!! They are all teens though.
Continue to take time for yourself!!
Very important for you and your kids!!
I’ll have to try the sweet potatoes!
They look great, and perfect like you said, thanks a lot
I love roasting veggies. The slight caramelization that you get is so delicious!
Kari
http://www.sweetteasweetie.com
I’m so glad you shirked your responsibilites and came to Portland! It was a blast hanging out with you. I totally agree. I never leave my children and when I do it’s total mom guilt city. My mother never left us either, but I keep telling myself a few breaks means I come back energized and I’m a better mom right!? A better Mom who will be feeding my kids these awesome carrots. LOVE roasted carrots!
Yes, I agree!!
Do you think using baby carrots would work? I guess just watching the time on those. I think they look great!
Yes, you can totally use baby carrots. I use them all the time but someone sent me this article about how they are prepared and washed with chlorine. Haha. Take it with a grain of salt. 🙂 http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2014/01/07/truth-behind-baby-carrots/
I am so glad you DID travel — I enjoyed spending time with you in Portland.
Carrots are one of the few veggies my boys will actually EAT, so I’m excited to try this side dish. Yay for no soggy carrots!!
You are so sweet and how do you have time to comment on blogs? You are amazing!
Roasted carrots are such a great side dish: I love how you make the carrots themselves be the star of the dish by not overpowering them with other flavours. Great recipe!
Thanks!