#Holiday Honey Glazed Carrots – A Sweet and Tender Treat for Your Holiday Table
##Introduction
Introduce a pop of color and a delightful sweetness to your holiday meal with this recipe for Holiday Honey Glazed Carrots. The blend of honey, brown sugar, and cinnamon creates a flavorful glaze, adorning each tender carrot with a festive sheen.
##Why Make This Recipe
Holiday Honey Glazed Carrots not only add color to your table, but also offer an excellent nutritious side dish. This recipe is quick and easy to prepare, requires simple pantry ingredients, and offers an appealing dish even for the fussiest eaters.
##How to Make Holiday Honey Glazed Carrots
An effortless recipe that results in a harmony of flavors and textures. Here’s what you need to do:
###Ingredients
– 2 lbs baby carrots, peeled
– 3 tbsp unsalted butter
– 1/4 cup honey
– 2 tbsp brown sugar
– 1/2 tsp cinnamon
– 1/2 tsp salt
– Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish (optional)
###Directions
1. Begin by boiling the carrots: in a large pot, bring water to a boil, add the carrots, and cook until just tender.
2. Next, make the glaze in a skillet, melt the butter, and stir in the honey, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt until the sugar dissolves.
3. Then, add the boiled carrots to the skillet and toss them in the glaze, cooking until the glaze becomes slightly thickened.
4. To serve, transfer the glazed carrots to a dish and garnish with fresh parsley if you’d like.
A thorough mixing of the glaze ensures that each carrot is evenly coated, delivering consistent flavor in each bite.
##How to Serve Holiday Honey Glazed Carrots
Serve Holiday Honey Glazed Carrots warm. They make a delightful side dish for roast turkey, ham, or chicken. You can garnish these glazed carrots with fresh parsley or even sprinkle some sesame seeds for an added crunch.
##How to Store Holiday Honey Glazed Carrots
Store leftover Honey Glazed Carrots in an airtight container in the refrigerator and they will stay fresh for up to three days. Reheat in a microwave or over medium heat on the stove before serving.
##Tips to Make Holiday Honey Glazed Carrots
Make sure the carrots are evenly coated in the honey glaze for the perfect balance of sweetness in every bite. Also, cooking the carrots until ‘just tender’ ensures they retain some bite and don’t become too soft or mushy.
##Variation
For a citrusy twist, you can add a teaspoon of orange zest to the honey glaze. Or toss in a sprinkle of finely chopped rosemary for an aromatic uplift.
##FAQs
* **Can I use regular carrots instead of baby carrots?**
Yes, you can use regular carrots. Just peel them and cut them into thick slices or lengthwise.
* **Can I substitute white sugar for brown sugar?**
Yes, you can, but brown sugar gives a deeper, richer sweetness and a bit of a molasses flavor compared to white sugar.
* **What can I use instead of honey?**
Maple syrup or agave syrup can be used as substitutes for honey in this recipe but using honey results in the best flavor.