These caramelized carrots were part of our Thanksgiving feast. Initially, I thought that the proportions were really off in this dish- only a drizzle of the amazing browned butter vinaigrette is used and I had a tremendous amount leftover. The proportions could be reduced, of course, but I have used the leftover vinaigrette with roasted Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, CSA rutabaga, and more rainbow carrots. It is absolutely wonderful.
This recipe was adapted from chef Neil Borthwick’s “forgotten carrots” at Merchants Tavern in London via The New York Times, contributed by Mark Bittman. I modified the proportions and cooked the carrots in a cast iron skillet. I would roast four pounds of rainbow carrots next time.
Yield: Serves 4 to 6 as a side dish
- 2 pounds large carrots (I used rainbow carrots)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus 3 extra tablespoons for roasting the carrots
- 2 cardamom pods
- 1-2 star anise
- coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 3-4 tablespoons sherry vinegar, to taste
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 3 tablespoons chervil leaves or chopped fresh parsley
- Heat the oven to 325 degrees, preferably on convection.
- Scrub the carrots, and peel them if you like (it really doesn’t matter but I peeled them).
- Set a 12-inch cast iron skillet or a roasting pan over two burners on medium heat; put the olive oil in the pan.
- When the oil is hot, add the carrots and cook, turning as they brown, until lightly caramelized all over, 10 to 15 minutes.
- Add 3 tablespoons butter, spices, salt and pepper.
- Transfer the roasting pan to the oven, and cook, shaking the pan once or twice, until the carrots are crinkly on the outside and you can pierce them easily with the tip of a sharp knife, 45 to 60 minutes.
- Meanwhile, put 1 stick butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally until the butter foam subsides and the butter turns nut brown, about 5 minutes. Turn off the heat.
- Put brown butter, vinegar, Dijon, salt and pepper in a blender or mini food processor. Blend until a creamy emulsion forms, about 30 seconds; taste, and adjust the seasoning.
- Put the carrots on a platter, drizzle the vinaigrette over the top and garnish with the chervil or parsley, and serve.
Note: Leftover vinaigrette can be stored in a covered container in the refrigerator to toss with other roasted vegetables.
thebrookcook 
What an enticing vegetable side dish. 🍂🥕
My husband loved roasted carrots- these were like candy. 😉