Description
This recipe features tender roasted carrots paired with smooth whipped ricotta cheese and drizzled with a spicy hot honey glaze. The carrots are caramelized in the oven, then served with a creamy cheese base and a kick of red pepper-infused honey, garnished with fresh herbs for a perfect balance of flavors and textures.
Ingredients
Scale
Carrots
- 1 pound of carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Whipped Ricotta
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
Hot Honey
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Finishing
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (such as parsley, chives, or dill)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for roasting the carrots.
- Prepare Carrots. Place the peeled and cut carrots in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Toss to ensure all pieces are evenly coated.
- Arrange Carrots. Spread the carrots out in a single layer on a baking sheet to ensure even roasting.
- Roast Carrots. Roast the carrots in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until they become tender and caramelized.
- Whip Ricotta. While the carrots roast, place the ricotta cheese in a food processor and blend until it becomes smooth and creamy.
- Set Whipped Ricotta. Transfer the whipped ricotta to a serving bowl and set aside for plating.
- Make Hot Honey. Gently warm the honey in a small saucepan or microwave, then stir in the red pepper flakes to infuse heat and create hot honey.
- Finish Carrots. Once roasted, remove the carrots from the oven and drizzle them with fresh lemon juice to brighten the flavors.
- Plate Ricotta. Spoon the whipped ricotta onto a serving platter and create a shallow well in the center for the carrots.
- Arrange Carrots. Place the roasted carrots on top of the whipped ricotta in the serving dish.
- Drizzle Hot Honey. Drizzle the prepared hot honey over the carrots and ricotta for a spicy-sweet finish.
- Garnish and Serve. Sprinkle chopped fresh herbs over the top as a final garnish and serve immediately.
Notes
- You can use any fresh herbs you prefer such as parsley, dill, or chives for garnish.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to desired heat level.
- For a vegan variation, substitute ricotta with a plant-based cheese alternative.
- Make sure to stir the carrots halfway through roasting to ensure even caramelization.
- This dish pairs well as a side for grilled meats or as part of a vegetarian meal.
