Description
A delightful and elegant side dish featuring tender roasted carrots paired with creamy whipped ricotta and drizzled with spicy hot honey. This recipe combines the natural sweetness of carrots with the rich smoothness of ricotta, enhanced by fresh thyme and bright lemon notes for a perfect balance of flavors. Ideal for a simple yet sophisticated addition to any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Carrots and Roasting
- 12 carrots, sliced in half if large
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 tsp fresh thyme
Whipped Ricotta
- 2/3 cup ricotta cheese or vegan cheese alternative
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- Salt to taste
Garnish
- 1 1/2 tsp hot honey
- Chopped pistachios (optional, quantity as preferred)
- Additional thyme for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 400ºF (200ºC). Trim the green tops from the carrots and clean them thoroughly using a paper towel to remove any dirt. Slice larger carrots in half to ensure even roasting.
- Roast the Carrots: Place the carrots in a roasting pan. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and add 1 1/2 teaspoons of fresh thyme. Toss the carrots well so they are evenly coated. Roast in the preheated oven for 20 to 30 minutes until the carrots become tender and crispy on the edges.
- Prepare the Whipped Ricotta: While the carrots roast, add the ricotta cheese, 1 tablespoon olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, and salt to taste into a food processor. Pulse until the mixture is smooth and creamy. If the ricotta is too thick for spreading, slowly add a little extra virgin olive oil until you reach a spreadable consistency. Set aside at room temperature.
- Assemble and Serve: Spread the whipped ricotta onto your serving plate first. Arrange the roasted carrots on top. Drizzle 1 1/2 teaspoons of hot honey over the carrots, and garnish with chopped pistachios and extra fresh thyme leaves for an added burst of flavor and texture.
Notes
- For a dairy-free option, substitute ricotta with a vegan cheese alternative and ensure the hot honey is replaced with a vegan-friendly sweet chili drizzle.
- Adjust roasting time depending on the size and thickness of the carrots to avoid overcooking.
- Hot honey can be spicy; adjust the amount based on your spice tolerance.
- Chopped pistachios add a crunchy texture, but feel free to omit if you have nut allergies.
- Serve warm as an elegant side dish or a vegetarian appetizer.
