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Flavorful Orange Maple Glazed Carrots Recipe with Crunchy Pistachios

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A quick and easy side dish featuring tender carrots glazed with a sweet-tart orange maple sauce and topped with crunchy pistachios for texture contrast.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) carrots, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch thick diagonal slices
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons maple syrup (100% pure preferred)
  • 1/4 cup fresh orange juice (about 1 medium orange)
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/3 cup shelled and roughly chopped pistachios

Instructions

  1. Peel and slice 1 pound (450g) of carrots into 1/4-inch thick diagonal pieces. Set aside.
  2. Using a zester or microplane, remove 1 teaspoon of orange zest, avoiding the bitter white pith. Juice the orange to get about 1/4 cup (60ml) of fresh juice.
  3. Place a large skillet over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Warm for about 1 minute until shimmering but not smoking.
  4. Add the sliced carrots to the pan, stirring to coat evenly in the oil. Cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they start to soften and develop slight golden edges.
  5. Pour in 3 tablespoons maple syrup, fresh orange juice, and 1 teaspoon orange zest. Stir gently to coat all carrots. Sprinkle in 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  6. Reduce heat to medium-low and cover the skillet. Let carrots simmer in the glaze for 8-10 minutes, stirring halfway through, until tender but still holding shape and glaze thickens.
  7. Remove lid and cook uncovered for another 1-2 minutes to thicken glaze further. Remove from heat and sprinkle 1/3 cup roughly chopped pistachios over the carrots.
  8. Transfer to a serving dish and serve warm.

Notes

Do not overcook carrots; they should be tender but still have a slight bite. Add pistachios just before serving to maintain crunch. If glaze is too thin, cook uncovered a bit longer. For nut-free version, substitute pistachios with toasted pumpkin seeds or toasted breadcrumbs. Can substitute olive oil with melted butter or maple syrup with honey or agave syrup.

Nutrition

Keywords: orange glazed carrots, maple glazed carrots, pistachio carrots, easy side dish, healthy side, vegetarian side, gluten-free side

Find it online: https://tempotaste.com/flavorful-orange-maple-glazed-carrots-recipe-with-crunchy-pistachios-easy-and-perfect-side-dish/