Pomegranate-Balsamic-Glazed Carrots
by Susie Middleton
Glazed carrots never had it so good. Bright, fresh flavors and a little cayenne play well with any rich main dish or holiday meal.
Serves eight.
To learn more, read the article:
Flip Sides
1/4 cup pure pomegranate juice
1 Tbs. balsamic vinegar
2 tsp. honey
1 oz. (2 Tbs.) unsalted butter
2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
2 lb. carrots, trimmed, peeled, and cut into sticks about 2 inches long and 3/8 inch wide
Kosher salt
1/3 cup lower-salt chicken broth
1/8 tsp. cayenne
2 Tbs. lightly packed thinly sliced fresh mint
Combine the juice, vinegar, and honey in a liquid measuring cup and whisk. Cut 1 Tbs. of the butter into 4 pieces and refrigerate.
In a 12-inch skillet, heat the remaining 1 Tbs. butter with the olive oil over medium-high heat. When the butter has melted, add the carrots and 1-1/2 tsp. salt and toss well to coat. Cook without stirring until the bottom layer of carrots is lightly browned in spots, 4 to 5 minutes. Using tongs, stir and flip the carrots and then leave undisturbed for 1 to 2 minutes to brown. Continue cooking, occasionally stirring and flipping, until most of the carrots are a bit browned in places and are starting to feel tender, an additional 3 to 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium if the bottom of the pan begins to brown too much.
Carefully add the chicken broth, cover quickly, and cook until all but about 1 Tbs. of the broth has evaporated, about 2 minutes. Uncover, reduce the heat to medium low, and add the pomegranate mixture (re-whisk, if necessary) and the cayenne. Cook, stirring gently, until the mixture reduces and becomes slightly glazy, about 1 minute. Take the pan off the heat, add the chilled butter, and gently toss with a heatproof spatula until the butter has melted, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Season to taste with salt and stir in about two-thirds of the mint. Serve in a warm shallow bowl or on a platter, garnished with the remaining mint.
Make Ahead Tips
Cut the carrots and prepare the rest of your ingredients up to 6 hours ahead. Cook the dish just before serving.
nutrition information (per serving):
Calories
(kcal):
110;
Fat
(g):
7;
Fat Calories
(kcal):
60;
Saturated Fat
(g):
2.5;
Protein
(g):
1;
Monounsaturated Fat
(g):
3.5;
Carbohydrates
(g):
13;
Polyunsaturated Fat
(g):
0.5;
Sodium
(mg):
280;
Cholesterol
(mg):
10;
Fiber
(g):
3;
photo: Scott Phillips
From Fine Cooking 101
, pp. 53
September 3, 2009