Brown Sugar Carrots on Whipped Ricotta

Name: Brown Sugar Carrots on Whipped Ricotta
Prep time: 35 minutes
Cook time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American

We’re not dangling a carrot here. Or maybe we are. It can’t take much to convince you that brown-sugar-caressed carrots combined with creamy ricotta cheese is going to taste crazy delicious. A kit of Taylor Farms Brown Sugar Carrots includes freshly crinkle-cut carrot chips and a brown-sugar-based made with tangy Dijon mustard, salted sherry wine, and a curated mix of herbs and spices. It’s your go-to for quickly preparing caramelized carrots that are sweet, tangy, and warm all at once.

But why stop there? Chase that carrot, as they say. Ricotta cheese is good with pretty much anything, so we figured using it as a creamy dip with these umami carrots might do the trick. A little bit like whipped cream on dessert, or sour cream on soup—and a little sweet, with honey and lemon. You’ll want the whole plate.

Active Time:
15 minutes

Total TIME:
35 minutes

SERVINGS:
4

Ingredients

For the Carrots:

1 package Taylor Farms Brown Sugar Carrots Sauté Kit
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste (optional)

For the Whipped Ricotta:

1 cup ricotta cheese
1 tablespoon honey (or maple syrup)
Zest of 1 lemon
Salt, to taste

Directions

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
In a large mixing bowl, toss the brown sugar carrots with olive oil. Add salt and pepper, if desired. Spread the carrots in a single layer on a lined baking sheet.
Roast the carrots for 20–25 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even cooking. The carrots should be tender and caramelized when done.
While the carrots are roasting, combine ricotta cheese, honey, lemon zest, and a pinch of salt in a medium bowl. Use a fork or hand mixer to whip the mixture until creamy and smooth. Adjust sweetness and salt to taste.
Assemble: Once the carrots are finished roasting, remove them from the oven. Transfer to a serving dish and toss them in any remaining brown sugar seasoning from the package until evenly coated.
Spread the whipped ricotta on a serving platter. Top with the roasted carrots. Drizzle with olive oil or garnish with fresh herbs, if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature.

What’s up, Doc? Carrots as a superfood

Bugs Bunny had the right idea about making carrots his favorite food. Crunchy carrots add color, sweetness, and nutrients to your dishes—which is saying a lot, since it can be prepared in so many ways. Whether shredded, roasted, added to soup or puréed into soup, dipped into hummus, enjoyed on their own, carrots are always full of vitamin A/Beta-Carotene, vitamin C, and fiber, are a good source of antioxidants, and are said to help keep your eyesight in good condition.

Though packed with all these benefits, they’re a low-calorie food to begin with, which makes them a great base for culinary innovation with slightly heavier foods. As you can see (clearly), we love preparing them with cheeses, as well as nuts—after layering our Brown Sugar Carrots over ricotta, try sprinkling them with feta and pistachios. Or go ahead and get creative and make a carrot tart!

In short (even though carrots can be really long!) carrots help keep a dish healthy. They’re also becoming a substitute or addition in baking. When grated into the dough, carrots add a soft, chewy texture to cookies, and their natural sweetness complements other sweet ingredients. And don’t forget about carrot cake! Bugs Bunny would be proud.