Name: Spicy Carrots with Soy Sauce and Sesame
Yield: Serves 4 to 6
Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds medium carrots, peeled and cut into 2 by 1/2-inch pieces; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted; 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar; 1/2 teaspoon table salt; 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper; 1 tablespoon soy sauce; 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil; 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds; 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes; 2 scallions, cut into 1/2-inch lengths

Why This Recipe Works

Roasting is one of the best approaches to maximize the sweet, earthy flavor of carrots. The high heat caramelizes the carrots’ sugars and browns the exteriors, ideally leaving the interiors tender and moist. For the best approach to roasting carrots, we cooked the carrots hot and fast. The intense heat promoted rapid caramelization, which, in turn, kept the interiors moist.

Before You Begin

If the carrots have very narrow tips, trim the thin ends; they scorch easily.

Instructions

Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 475 degrees. Heat rimmed baking sheet in oven for 10 minutes.

Toss carrots, melted butter, sugar, salt, and pepper in medium bowl until thoroughly combined. Remove pan from oven and place carrots in single layer on hot baking sheet. Roast until carrots are beginning to brown on bottom, about 15 minutes.

Combine soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, toasted sesame seeds, red pepper flakes, and scallions in bowl.

Remove pan from oven, add soy mixture and toss carrots to redistribute, and continue to roast until tender and deep amber in color, about 3 minutes. Serve.