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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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