Bring a touch of elegance and a lot of flavor to your table with these Garlic Roasted Carrots. This recipe transforms ordinary carrots into a culinary delight, perfect for elevating any meal from casual to gourmet with minimal effort.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb carrots, peeled and if large, sliced into even pieces
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Optional: fresh herbs (such as parsley or thyme) for garnish
Cooking Directions:
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for roasting.
- Season the Carrots: In a large bowl, combine the carrots with olive oil and minced garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Toss everything together until the carrots are well-coated with the oil and seasonings.
- Arrange for Roasting: Lay the carrots out on a baking sheet in a single layer. This arrangement ensures that they roast evenly and get beautifully caramelized edges, rather than steaming.
- Roasting Time: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and roast the carrots for about 25-30 minutes. Stirring them halfway through the cooking time will help them roast evenly and achieve a perfect golden-brown finish.
- Finishing Touches: After removing the carrots from the oven, you can enhance their flavor by sprinkling over some fresh herbs such as parsley or thyme.
Why This Recipe Works:
- Simplicity: This recipe is straightforward, requiring just a few basic ingredients and minimal prep time.
- Flavorful: The natural sweetness of the carrots is amplified by roasting, while the garlic adds a savory depth.
- Versatile: These carrots can serve as a side dish for everything from a weeknight dinner to a festive holiday meal.
Health Benefits:
- Rich in Nutrients: Carrots are a great source of beta-carotene, vitamins, and minerals that are essential for health.
- Dietary Fiber: Carrots also provide dietary fiber, which is important for digestive health.
- Heart Healthy: Olive oil is a good source of monounsaturated fats, known to be beneficial for heart health.
Serving Suggestions: Garlic Roasted Carrots are incredibly versatile. Serve them alongside roasted meats, as part of a vegetarian spread, or topped with crumbled feta or goat cheese for an extra layer of flavor.
Enjoy the simple pleasure of Garlic Roasted Carrots and make your meals more memorable with this easy, delicious, and healthy side dish!