Roasted carrots topped with a creamy cilantro tahini dressing, toasted nuts and seeds make this a delicious side dish. It is not only a treat to look at, but tastes absolutely delicious and very healthy!
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These roasted carrots with a creamy cilantro dressing require very minimal effort. I can make them with a few ingredients, and they make the perfect addition to any celebratory table. That said, they don’t have to be made just for celebrations. I try to make them whenever the carrots are in season since they are so easy to make and are extremely nutritious.
I came across this huge bunch of fresh rainbow carrots during a recent trip to the farmer’s market and immediately knew that I had to get them! These carrots were thin and crisp and came in different colors – orange, yellow, and purple. These colorful carrots are packed with beneficial nutrients.
I also tried this recipe with the bagged version of rainbow carrots, for the sake of convenience. Those were much thicker and have to be roasted for a longer time.
This recipe is inspired by a favorite food blogger of mine Ministry of Curry, who made roasted carrots with a herb chutney dressing. Here is the link to the original recipe, which is so delicious!
My version of the roasted carrots uses a creamy cilantro tahini dressing. All you need is to roast the carrots, make a sumac yogurt base and the cilantro tahini dressing and then layer them.
If you cannot find rainbow carrots, you can also make them with orange carrots, but the roasting times may vary depending on the thickness of carrots. Make sure you choose carrots of uniform thickness from the bunch while roasting. This ensures a uniform roast.
I used this Soom brand of premium tahini made with roasted and ground tahini seeds. Their silky-smooth texture makes a perfect dressing.
How to make these roasted carrots with Cilantro Tahini dressing?
For the bagged, thick rainbow carrots, cut the carrots lengthwise into half. If it is the slender carrots that you find at the produce market, keep it as such. Layer the carrots on a baking tray. Make a marinade for the carrots with salt, pepper, onion powder and lime. Roast them at 425 F for 40 minutes. If you are roasting slender rainbow carrots, roast for 30 minutes, keep an eye after 25 minutes.
Next whip Greek yoghurt, salt and sumac and layer it on a serving platter. Add the roasted carrots and top with the tahini cilantro dressing. Top with pomegranate arils, pistachios, pecans, toasted sesame seeds and a drizzle of sumac. Sumac has this citrusy note to it which works so well with the Greek yoghurt and roasted carrots.
Enjoy!
Roasted Carrots with Cilantro Tahini Dressing
Roasted carrots topped with a creamy cilantro tahini dressing and toasted nuts and seeds makes a delicious side dish. It is not only a treat to look at, but tastes absolutely delicious!
Ingredients
- 5 rainbow carrots (1 pound)
- 1/4 tsp. onion powder
- 1/8 tsp pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 limes
- 1/4 cup tahini
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1/2 cup cilantro
- 2 small green chilies
- 1/2 tsp. maple syrup
- 1/2 cup greek yoghurt
- 1 tsp. Sumac
- salt to taste
- Toppings - 2 tbsp. pistachios or/and toasted pecans, 1 tbsp. pomegranate arils. 2 tsp. toasted sesame seeds, drizzle of sumac.
Instructions
Cut the carrots lengthwise into 2 halves.
Preheat oven to 425 F. Line a baking tray and arrange cut carrots on the baking tray.
Whisk oil, salt, pepper, onion powder, and juice of a lime in a small bowl and brush them all over the carrots.
Roast at 425 F for 40 minutes (Cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of carrots). Keep an eye after 25 minutes.
While the carrots are cooking, make the tahini cilantro dressing. Blend tahini, cilantro, juice of a lime, garlic cloves, green chilies, maple syrup and salt to taste to into a fine dressing.
Whip the Greek yogurt with some salt and sumac until well blended.
Spread this blended Greek yogurt on a platter. Line the Greek yogurt with roasted carrots.
Now put dollops of tahini cilantro dressing on top and add toppings.
Enjoy!
Notes
The roasting time of carrots may vary with thickness, keep an eye after around 20-25 minutes.
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