Description
A vibrant and healthy side dish featuring roasted carrots topped with a creamy tahini and mint sauce, garnished with toasted hazelnuts. This recipe combines sweet, nutty, and fresh flavors for a satisfying and colorful plate perfect for any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Carrots
- 10–12 carrots
- 1/2 tbsp olive oil
- Pinch of salt
Tahini Sauce
- 1/4 cup tahini
- 1 clove garlic, crushed
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/3 cup fresh mint, roughly chopped
- 1/2 tbsp honey (or 1 tbsp orange juice for Whole30)
- 3 tbsp water (add more if needed for consistency)
Garnish
- 2/3 cup hazelnuts, toasted and roughly chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh mint, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F) to prepare for roasting the carrots.
- Prepare the Carrots: Wash and dry the carrots thoroughly. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with a pinch of salt, then toss to ensure they are evenly coated.
- Roast the Carrots: Place the baking sheet in the oven and roast the carrots for 15–20 minutes until they are tender but still retain some firmness. Test doneness by piercing a carrot with a fork; adjust time if carrots are thicker.
- Make the Tahini Sauce: While roasting, combine tahini, crushed garlic, lemon juice, 1/3 cup chopped fresh mint, water, and honey (or orange juice) in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Add additional water one tablespoon at a time if the sauce is too thick, to achieve your desired consistency.
- Toast the Hazelnuts: In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the hazelnuts for about 5 minutes until fragrant, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and allow them to cool before roughly chopping.
- Assemble the Dish: Arrange the roasted carrots on a serving plate. Drizzle the tahini sauce generously over the carrots. Sprinkle with toasted hazelnuts and the remaining 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh mint for garnish.
- Serve: Serve warm or at room temperature as a delicious side dish or a light main course. Enjoy the harmonious blend of flavors!
Notes
- For a Whole30-friendly option, substitute honey with 1 tablespoon of orange juice.
- Add more water to the tahini sauce if it appears too thick for easier drizzling.
- The roasting time may vary depending on carrot size; adjust accordingly for tenderness.
- To toast hazelnuts evenly, stir frequently to prevent burning.
- This dish pairs well with grilled meats or as a vegan main when served with quinoa or couscous.
