Description
Delightful brown sugar glazed carrots offer a sweet twist on classic side dishes. Caramelized carrots with buttery brown sugar glaze complement main courses perfectly when you want a simple yet elegant vegetable accompaniment.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs (680 g) carrots, peeled and sliced (or use baby carrots)
- 3 tbsps unsalted butter
- ¼ cup brown sugar (light or dark)
- ½ tsp cinnamon (optional)
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional, for extra flavor)
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Boiling Preparation: Fill a large pot with salted water, bringing to a vigorous boil for blanching whole carrots.
- Carrot Blanching: Immerse carrots into boiling water, cooking for 7 minutes until achieving a tender-crisp texture, then drain completely.
- Glaze Foundation: In a spacious skillet, melt butter over medium-low heat, creating a golden base for caramelization.
- Flavor Infusion: Whisk brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, black pepper, and vanilla extract into the melting butter, developing a glossy, aromatic sauce.
- Caramelization Process: Gently fold blanched carrots into the shimmering glaze, rotating periodically to ensure even coating and caramelization for 2-3 minutes.
- Finishing Touch: Remove skillet from heat when carrots acquire a luxurious amber sheen, then garnish with freshly chopped parsley.
- Serving: Transfer glazed carrots to a serving platter, presenting immediately while the sauce remains warm and inviting.
Notes
- Boil Strategically: Choose medium-sized carrots for even cooking, avoiding overcrowding in the pot to maintain consistent tenderness.
- Control Caramelization: Watch the skillet carefully during glazing to prevent burning, adjusting heat to medium-low for smooth, even coating.
- Enhance Flavor Depth: Experiment with adding a pinch of ground ginger or nutmeg to complement the existing cinnamon for a more complex taste profile.
- Dietary Adaptations: Substitute butter with coconut oil for a dairy-free version, or use maple syrup instead of brown sugar for a lower-glycemic alternative.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Side Dish
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg