Savory Maple-Glazed Carrots with Herbs
These Savory Maple-Glazed Carrots are a delightful twist on a classic holiday side dish, perfectly suited for any festive gathering or family dinner. The natural sweetness of fresh carrots is enhanced by a rich blend of pure maple syrup and dark brown sugar, creating a luscious glaze that will tantalize your taste buds. Finished with a sprinkle of fresh Italian parsley, these vibrant ovals not only look stunning on the plate but also offer a symphony of flavors that complement both savory and sweet entrees. Prepare them ahead of time to ease your cooking stress, making this dish as convenient as it is delicious!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
Carrots
4 lbs (Peeled and cut on sharp diagonal into 1/4-inch-thick ovals (about 11 cups))
Unsalted Butter
10 tablespoons (Divided (4 tablespoons for boiling, 6 tablespoons for glazing))
Sugar
3 tablespoons (Plain granulated sugar)
Coarse Salt
1 1/2 teaspoons (For boiling the carrots)
Pure Maple Syrup
6 tablespoons (Good quality from the NE region of the US)
Dark Brown Sugar
3 tablespoons (Packed)
Fresh Italian Parsley
2 tablespoons (Chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
1
In a large heavy pot, combine 4 1/2 cups of water with the prepared carrots, 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter, sugar, and coarse salt.
2
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the carrots are just tender when pierced with a knife.
3
Drain the carrots and set aside. You can prepare them up to 3 hours in advance and let them stand at room temperature until ready to finish the dish.
4
In a large nonstick skillet, melt the remaining 6 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Once melted, add in the pure maple syrup and dark brown sugar, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely.
5
Add the drained carrots to the skillet and toss them in the glaze, cooking for an additional 5 minutes or until they are heated through and well-coated.
6
Season the carrots with fine sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste, stirring gently to mix.
7
Transfer the glazed carrots to a large serving bowl and garnish with freshly chopped Italian parsley. Serve warm and enjoy the delightful combination of flavors!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Savory Maple-Glazed Carrots with Herbs?
They are a festive side dish featuring fresh carrots enhanced by a rich glaze of pure maple syrup and dark brown sugar, finished with Italian parsley.
How many pounds of carrots are required?
The recipe calls for 4 pounds of carrots.
How should the carrots be sliced for this recipe?
The carrots should be peeled and cut on a sharp diagonal into 1/4-inch-thick ovals.
How much water is needed to boil the carrots?
You will need 4 1/2 cups of water for the boiling process.
How much total butter is used in this dish?
A total of 10 tablespoons of unsalted butter is used, divided into two parts.
What type of maple syrup is recommended?
The recipe suggests using high-quality pure maple syrup, specifically from the NE region of the US.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this recipe is vegetarian as it uses carrots, butter, sugars, and herbs.
Can I make these carrots in advance?
Yes, you can boil and drain the carrots up to 3 hours in advance and let them stand at room temperature.
How long do the carrots need to simmer?
The carrots should simmer for about 10 minutes or until they are just tender when pierced with a knife.
What type of brown sugar is used in the glaze?
The recipe calls for 3 tablespoons of packed dark brown sugar.
What is the final garnish for the dish?
The dish is garnished with 2 tablespoons of freshly chopped Italian parsley.
How much coarse salt is used during the boiling phase?
You should use 1 1/2 teaspoons of coarse salt for boiling the carrots.
What kind of skillet should be used for glazing?
A large nonstick skillet is recommended for melting the butter and creating the maple glaze.
How long do the carrots cook in the glaze?
The carrots are tossed and cooked in the glaze for an additional 5 minutes.
How many cups of carrot ovals does 4 pounds yield?
The 4 pounds of carrots yield approximately 11 cups of sliced ovals.
What seasonings are added at the very end?
The dish is finished with fine sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste.
What is the first step of the instructions?
Combine water, carrots, 4 tablespoons of butter, sugar, and coarse salt in a large heavy pot.
Do you cover the pot while simmering the carrots?
Yes, the pot should be covered while the carrots simmer on low heat.
How much maple syrup is used?
The recipe uses 6 tablespoons of pure maple syrup.
What is the texture of the carrots before glazing?
They should be just tender when pierced with a knife after boiling.
Should the carrots be served warm or cold?
The glazed carrots should be served warm.
Does the recipe use granulated sugar?
Yes, 3 tablespoons of plain granulated sugar are used in the initial boiling stage.
Is this recipe considered quick and easy?
Yes, it is tagged as a quick and easy recipe, perfect for holiday cooking.
Can I use salted butter?
The recipe specifies unsalted butter to better control the salt content of the dish.
How much parsley is needed?
2 tablespoons of fresh Italian parsley are required.
What category of food does this recipe fall into?
It is categorized as a vegetable side dish.
What heat setting is used for the glaze?
The butter and maple syrup should be melted over medium-high heat.
Is it necessary to stir the glaze?
Yes, you should stir the maple syrup and brown sugar until the sugar dissolves completely.
What should I do if the carrots are too soft?
To avoid mushy carrots, ensure they are only simmered for 10 minutes and checked for tenderness immediately.
What is the primary flavor profile of this dish?
The profile is a combination of savory and sweet, blending earthy carrots with rich maple and herbs.