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Roasted Carrots with Whipped Ricotta and Spicy Honey Drizzle Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.7 from 109 reviews
  • Author: Jessica
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4-6 servings
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Roasting
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This Roasted Carrots with Whipped Ricotta and Hot Honey recipe offers a delightful blend of sweet, spicy, and creamy flavors. Tender roasted carrots seasoned with cumin and smoked paprika are paired with a smooth whipped ricotta base, then finished with a drizzle of warm hot honey and crunchy pistachios. Perfect as a vibrant side dish or a light vegetarian appetizer, this recipe combines comforting textures with bright, aromatic toppings for a crowd-pleasing seasonal treat.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Roasted Carrots

  • 1 lb (450g) baby carrots or heirloom carrots
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Whipped Ricotta

  • 1 cup (225g) ricotta cheese
  • 2 tbsp heavy cream
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • Salt, to taste

For the Hot Honey

  • ¼ cup (60ml) honey
  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar

For Topping

  • 2 tbsp chopped pistachios
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
  • Fresh parsley (optional)


Instructions

  1. Prepare the Roasted Carrots: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large bowl, toss the carrots with olive oil, maple syrup, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until evenly coated. Spread them out in a single layer on a baking sheet. Roast in the oven for 20-25 minutes, flipping the carrots halfway through to ensure they caramelize evenly and become tender.
  2. Make the Whipped Ricotta: While the carrots roast, place the ricotta cheese, heavy cream, lemon zest, and a pinch of salt into a food processor. Blend until the mixture is smooth, fluffy, and creamy. Set aside at room temperature so the flavors meld.
  3. Prepare the Hot Honey: In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the honey and red pepper flakes. Warm gently for 1-2 minutes while stirring frequently to infuse the honey with spice. Remove from heat and stir in the apple cider vinegar. Allow the hot honey to cool slightly.
  4. Assemble the Dish: On a serving platter, spread the whipped ricotta evenly, creating a creamy base layer. Arrange the freshly roasted carrots on top of the ricotta to showcase their caramelized surface and vibrant color.
  5. Add the Toppings: Drizzle the warm hot honey evenly over the carrots to add a spicy-sweet glaze. Sprinkle chopped pistachios and fresh thyme leaves over the entire dish, and garnish with fresh parsley, if using, to add a fresh herbal note.
  6. Serve: Serve the dish warm as a flavorful side or light appetizer. Enjoy this combination of textures and flavors that bring out the best in simple roasted carrots.

Notes

  • You can adjust the sweetness or spice level by varying the amount of honey or red pepper flakes according to your taste preference.
  • For extra richness and creaminess, substitute sour cream or cream cheese for a portion of the ricotta in the whipped cheese blend.
  • This dish works well as a light vegetarian main or a hearty side dish accompanying larger meals.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
  • Calories: 180 kcal
  • Sugar: 14g
  • Sodium: 120mg
  • Fat: 9g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 20g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 5g
  • Cholesterol: 15mg