Description
Michael Symon’s glazed carrots blend sweet honey and rich butter for a simple side dish. Home cooks can easily elevate roasted carrots with this quick, elegant recipe that delivers complex flavors in minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 (16 oz/454 g) bag baby carrots
- ½ cup (120 ml) water
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter
- 2 tbsps packed light brown sugar
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preparation: Combine carrots, water, unsalted butter, and brown sugar in a medium saucepan, ensuring all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Initial Heating: Place saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to promote uniform coating and prevent ingredient adhesion.
- Boiling Phase: Allow mixture to reach a robust boil, creating dynamic bubbling across the pan’s surface.
- Simmering Stage: Reduce heat to low, cover with a tight lid to capture steam, and gently simmer for 5-6 minutes until carrots become tender and infused with sweet butter essence.
- Caramelization: Uncover and elevate heat to high, continuously stirring to prevent scorching while liquid evaporates, transforming the carrots into a glistening, caramelized delicacy.
- Seasoning and Serving: Remove from heat, sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper and kosher salt, then transfer to a serving dish, ensuring an elegant distribution of the luxurious glaze.
Notes
- Master the Butter-Sugar Ratio: The perfect balance of unsalted butter and brown sugar creates a luxurious, glossy coating that transforms ordinary carrots into a restaurant-worthy side dish.
- Control Heat Carefully: Precise temperature management is crucial – medium-high for initial boiling, then low for steaming, and finally high heat for caramelization prevents burning and ensures optimal texture.
- Watch for Liquid Reduction: Pay close attention during the final cooking stage when liquid evaporates, as this critical moment determines the carrots’ caramelized finish and prevents potential scorching.
- Season Strategically: Adding freshly ground black pepper and kosher salt at the end enhances the natural sweetness of the carrots and balances the rich, buttery glaze.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Side Dish
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 135
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg