Sweet roasted carrots with dill & tahini yoghurt. A simple side made from humble carrots using roll cut knife technique
On my last yoga retreat I cooked my usual array of vegetarian goodies; from granola to roasted tomatoes and eggs for breakfast, an experimental asparagus and feta tart for lunch and miso aubergines and chocolate cake for dinner. But it was this simple side dish carrot recipe that I was asked for. Not one to disappoint I promised to get it up on the blog as soon as I could!
I have always loved carrots, perhaps because they have such a sweet flavour or maybe because they make an excellent crudité that has helped me through many an afternoon snack without a truck load of calories. It was a nice surprise when my logo was designed a few years ago and incorporated this favoured vegetable, with no prompting from me. I look at carrots in a different way now, especially with their fronds still attached (pic below from a bunch at Brockley Farmers Market last weekend!)
Carrots are pretty much around in the UK all year, and because of this, I think we rather overlook them. When was the last time anyone got excited by a carrot? (in comparison to asparagus for example – which everyone is currently going nuts for). The carrot season officially starts in June and runs through to May, and the flavour of them will differ throughout the year. I’m particularly fond of the heritage rainbow carrots, that come in purple and yellow especially the ones that reveal an orange glow when you cut into them; these however tend to be harvested later in the year.
I learnt to roll cut vegetables during my chef training, and this type of cut is perfect for this dish. The aim is to cut the carrots so that they have roughy the same volume; it helps them all to finish cooking at the same time. It’s also a quick way of chopping (once you get the hand of it), and I believe dreamt up so that veg for soups and stocks could be chopped quickly and thrown into the pot. I’m using it for this dish as I rather like the shape of the carrots; much more pleasing to the eye than roughly chopped chunks.
Instead of explaining how to do this cut you can see for yourselves in my quick video . Top tip – don’t let your knife tip leave the board!
On the retreat I served the carrots alongside twice baked sweet potatoes, and a quinoa (or buckwheat or cauliflower – I’ve done all 3) tabbouleh. At home today I added a simple radish and cucumber salad and a piece of crispy skin pan-fried salmon.
- 650g carrots, scrubbed peel left on and roll cut (see video)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp maple syrup (or honey)
- 1 tsp caraway seeds
- zest of half a lemon
- 200g organic natural yoghurt
- 1 tbsp tahini
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 7g dill, finely chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Pre-heat oven to 180C.
- Toss the carrots with the oil, lemon zest, caraway, maple syrup and salt. Spread out on a lined baking sheet and roast in the oven for 45-50 minutes, checking regularly to avoid burning.
- Meanwhile make the yoghurt by combining all of the ingredients in a small bowl, and seasoning to taste. Set aside.
- When the carrots are fork tender remove from the oven and let cool for 5-10 minutes, if you add them to the yoghurt too soon it will split.
- Spoon the yogurt over your serving plate/platter and when the carrots have sufficiently cooled, pile them on top and scatter over some parsley. Alternatively you can serve the yoghurt as a separate dressing on the side.
What’s your favourite way of enjoying carrots? Here are some side dish ideas from fellow bloggers;
- Fennel and Wild Garlic Salad with Mustard Dressing from the Hedge Combers
- Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables from Fab Food 4 All
- Roasted Rainbow Carrots with Halloumi and Carrot Top Pesto from Fuss Free Flavours
- Spiced Carrot and Cashew Salad from Rough Measures
- Carrot and Moong Bean Salad from Botanical Baker
I always end up with loads of carrots left over from my weekly veg delivery. I end up chucking them in smoothies as I never know what to do with them – now I do – thanks!
You’re welcome, hope you get the chance to roast out your carrots soon (though carrot smoothies sounds good too!)
This dish is so simple yet it must taste great as I often make something similar and love it.
Ah another carrot fan! I love simplicity in cooking – that’s how I think it should be, would love to know what’s in your version??
What a lovely way to serve carrots and love your technique for cutting them which I’ve not come across before! Thanks for linking to my dish-)
Thanks Camilla, you’re welcome! Hope you get the chance to try your new chopping knowledge soon!
Looks delicious with the yogurt, dill and tahini sauce 🙂 and love the little video demo you created 😀
Thanks Nadia! Some of my favourite flavours and happy you like the video – my first attempt…. !
Funny, carrots are probably bottom of my veg-love-list. I don’t dislike them as such, they just don’t instill any great enthusiasm, especially (and I’m aware how daft this sounds) when they are cut into round discs! Weird huh? Therefore your quirky cut (which I spied on instagram yesterday) gets a definite thumbs up from me 😀
Janie x
Oh but I grew up eating round disc carrots, boiled to within an inch of their life (or served undercooked – never right), alongside sunday dinner. So much more to carrots than that, I challenge you to drum up enthusiasm for them! Thanks Janie x
This looks fantastic! About how many carrots would you say this calls for? Thanks!
Thanks Melanie, I didn’t count the carrots, but they were quite slim and I estimate that there was about 8 of them! Thanks 🙂
Yay, for inspiration on what to do with all the carrots that are ready to be harvested in my garden. I’m dreaming of a twist too, perhaps finishing the dish with a dollop of carrot-top pesto! What do you think?
Thanks Stacey! Love the idea of carrot-top pesto – had it before, its delicious, and great use of whole plant!
I adore carrots and always have a bag on the go… but you’re right, I never think to do anything special with them! I love your recipe and am going to give it a whirl as it sounds absolutely divine. Thanks for hooking up with Simple and in Season this month.
Thanks Katie, great fun being part of it!! Enjoy your carrots 🙂
that looks so good x
Thank you!!