Sweet and Spicy Southern Comfort Carrots
Elevate your vegetable side dish game with these Sweet and Spicy Southern Comfort Carrots. Infused with the warming flavors of ginger ale and Southern Comfort, these glazed carrots are both sweet and savory, making them a perfect accompaniment to any meal. Enjoy the tender, caramelized baby carrots enhanced with a touch of rich brown sugar and zesty ginger for an irresistible side dish that will impress your guests and delight your taste buds. Ideal for family gatherings, holiday dinners, or casual weeknight meals, this recipe brings a touch of Southern charm to your dining table.
4
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
ginger ale
1 cup (chilled)
baby carrots
2 cups (sliced lengthwise in half)
unsalted butter
1 tablespoon (softened)
Southern Comfort
1/4 cup (measured)
brown sugar
1 tablespoon (packed)
dried ginger
1/4 teaspoon (measured)
salt
to taste (seasoning)
pepper
to taste (seasoning)
Instructions
1
In a medium saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the baby carrots, salt, and chilled ginger ale.
2
Cover the saucepan and allow the mixture to cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the carrots begin to soften.
3
Once the carrots are tender, uncover the saucepan and stir in the Southern Comfort and packed brown sugar.
4
Increase the heat slightly to bring the mixture to a gentle boil, allowing the liquid to reduce until it thickens and coats the carrots, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
5
Once the liquid is nearly cooked out and the carrots are glazed, sprinkle with dried ginger and season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
6
Serve warm as a delicious side dish to complement your favorite main courses.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Sweet and Spicy Southern Comfort Carrots?
This is a vegetable side dish featuring tender baby carrots glazed with a combination of ginger ale, Southern Comfort, brown sugar, and ginger.
How many servings does this carrot recipe provide?
This recipe is designed to serve 4 people.
What type of carrots are best for this dish?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of baby carrots, sliced lengthwise in half.
How much Southern Comfort is needed for the glaze?
You will need 1/4 cup of measured Southern Comfort.
What role does ginger ale play in this recipe?
Ginger ale is used as a cooking liquid to soften the carrots while infusing them with a mild ginger flavor and sweetness.
How long should the carrots cook while covered?
The carrots should be cooked covered in the butter and ginger ale mixture for 5 to 10 minutes.
What type of butter should I use?
The recipe specifies using 1 tablespoon of softened unsalted butter.
How much brown sugar is required for the sweetness?
The recipe requires 1 tablespoon of packed brown sugar.
What gives the carrots their spicy element?
The spiciness comes from 1/4 teaspoon of dried ginger and a seasoning of black pepper.
When do I add the Southern Comfort and brown sugar?
Once the carrots are tender and the saucepan is uncovered, stir in the Southern Comfort and brown sugar.
How do I thicken the carrot glaze?
Increase the heat slightly to bring the mixture to a gentle boil and allow the liquid to reduce until it thickens and coats the carrots.
What is the category of this recipe?
This recipe is categorized as a Vegetable side dish.
Is this recipe suitable for holidays?
Yes, it is ideal for holiday dinners, family gatherings, or casual weeknight meals.
What flavor profile can I expect from this dish?
The dish offers a sweet and savory profile with warming flavors of ginger and caramelized brown sugar.
Should the ginger ale be cold or room temperature?
The recipe suggests using chilled ginger ale.
How do I prevent the glaze from burning?
Stir the carrots frequently as the liquid reduces and thickens to prevent the sugars from burning.
What final seasonings are added at the end?
The dish is finished with a sprinkle of dried ginger and additional salt and pepper to taste.
Is there a specific preparation for the carrots before cooking?
Yes, the baby carrots should be sliced lengthwise in half.
How is the butter prepared before starting?
The recipe calls for the unsalted butter to be softened.
What is the total ingredient count for this recipe?
There are 8 ingredients in total for this recipe.
Is this recipe considered comfort food?
Yes, it is tagged as comfort food and brings a touch of Southern charm to the table.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to melt the unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
How should the dish be served?
It should be served warm as a side dish to complement your favorite main courses.
Does the recipe mention any specific tags?
Tags include vegetable, carrots, southern comfort, glazed, ginger, and easy recipe.
What is the main liquid component used to soften the carrots?
1 cup of chilled ginger ale is the primary liquid used during the initial softening phase.
How much dried ginger is used?
The recipe calls for 1/4 teaspoon of measured dried ginger.
What heat level should I use to melt the butter?
The butter should be melted over medium heat.
Are the carrots peeled?
The recipe uses baby carrots, which typically do not require peeling; they are simply sliced in half.
Can I adjust the salt and pepper?
Yes, the recipe specifies adding salt and pepper to taste both during and after cooking.
What texture should the carrots have when finished?
The carrots should be tender, caramelized, and coated in a thick glaze.