Mean’s Roasted Parsnips & Carrots 🥕
Description: This delightful recipe, passed down from the legendary Mean Chef, has been lovingly adapted to perfection. It’s an ideal appetizer or side dish, elevating humble parsnips and carrots to a whole new level of culinary excellence. By swapping sherry wine vinegar for medium Sherry and intensifying the flavors with extra rosemary and thyme, this dish becomes an instant favorite, even for those who typically shy away from carrots. Plus, the addition of sweet potatoes creates a harmonious blend of flavors that will have everyone reaching for seconds!
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 1 | Parsnip |
| 1 | Carrot |
| 6 | Sweet potatoes |
| 3 | tablespoons butter |
| 4 | tablespoons brown sugar |
| 1 | cup medium Sherry |
| 1 | tablespoon fresh thyme leaves |
| 1 | tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves |
| To taste | Salt |
| To taste | Pepper |
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Vegetables:
- Peel the parsnips and carrots.
- Cut the parsnips into 2-inch pieces.
- Cut the carrots in half lengthwise and then slice them into 1-inch pieces. (Tip: Smaller cuts for carrots ensure even cooking.)
-
Preheat and Melt:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Melt the butter in a shallow baking dish, ensuring it coats the bottom evenly.
-
Create the Flavor Base:
- Stir in the brown sugar and medium Sherry, creating a rich and aromatic liquid.
-
Combine and Coat:
- Add the prepared parsnips, carrots, and sweet potatoes to the baking dish, coating them thoroughly with the flavorful liquid.
-
Roast the Vegetables:
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and roast the vegetables for 20 minutes.
-
Enhance with Herbs:
- After 20 minutes, carefully remove the baking dish from the oven.
- Sprinkle the fresh thyme and rosemary over the vegetables, infusing them with fragrant herbal notes.
-
Season to Perfection:
- Season the vegetables with salt and pepper, adjusting to your taste preferences.
-
Final Roasting:
- Return the baking dish to the oven and roast for an additional 10 minutes, or until the vegetables are fork-tender and beautifully caramelized.
-
Serve and Enjoy!
- Once roasted to perfection, transfer the vegetables to a serving platter and savor the delightful flavors and aromas.
- Serve hot as a splendid side dish or appetizer, delighting in every mouthful of these tender, caramelized delights.
This recipe is a testament to the art of culinary transformation, taking simple ingredients and elevating them to extraordinary heights. Whether enjoyed on its own or paired with your favorite main course, Mean’s Roasted Parsnips & Carrots is sure to become a cherished addition to your culinary repertoire. Bon appétit! 🍽️
