Description
Homemade roasted carrots with whipped ricotta and hot honey elevate simple vegetables into a sophisticated side dish. Caramelized carrots drizzled with spicy-sweet honey and creamy ricotta offer Mediterranean-inspired flavors you can savor with ease.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 kg (2.2 lbs) carrots, peeled and trimmed
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
- Salt
- Pepper
- 1 cup (250 g) ricotta cheese
- 2 tbsps heavy cream or milk
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Salt
- Pepper
- ¼ cup honey
- ½ tsp chili flakes
- ½ tsp apple cider vinegar
- Fresh parsley or dill, chopped
- Crushed pistachios, almonds, or walnuts
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Crank the oven to 425°F, positioning the rack centrally. Lightly oil a baking sheet to prevent sticking.
- Carrot Preparation: Massage whole carrots with olive oil, ensuring a glistening surface. Season aggressively with smoked paprika, salt, and cracked pepper to amplify their natural sweetness.
- Roasting Process: Drizzle honey over carrots and roast for 25-30 minutes, rotating midway to guarantee even caramelization and tender texture with crispy edges.
- Ricotta Transformation: Whip ricotta in a food processor, incorporating lemon zest and juice to create a silky, bright spread with tangy undertones.
- Hot Honey Infusion: Simmer honey with chili flakes and apple cider vinegar, allowing flavors to intensify and meld into a spicy-sweet condiment.
- Plating Artistry: Spread whipped ricotta across a serving platter in elegant swirls. Carefully arrange roasted carrots atop the creamy base, creating a visual contrast.
- Final Flourish: Drizzle infused hot honey over carrots, garnish with freshly chopped herbs and toasted nuts. Serve immediately to capture the harmonious blend of flavors and temperatures.
Notes
- Elevate Roasting Technique: Use high heat and center rack to achieve maximum caramelization and crispy edges on carrots, ensuring even cooking and developing deep, rich flavors.
- Prevent Ricotta Wateriness: Drain ricotta through cheesecloth for 30 minutes before whipping to remove excess moisture, creating a more luxurious and creamy texture for spreading.
- Balance Honey Heat: Adjust chili flakes quantity based on personal spice tolerance; start with a small amount and gradually increase to create a perfectly balanced hot honey without overwhelming the dish.
- Customize Dietary Needs: Substitute honey with maple syrup for vegan version, use dairy-free ricotta alternative, or replace nuts with seeds for nut-free adaptation while maintaining the recipe’s core flavor profile and textural elements.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg