Description
This Maple Dijon Roasted Apples & Carrots recipe offers a delightful blend of sweet and tangy flavors with tender roasted carrots and apples, perfectly seasoned with cinnamon, Dijon mustard, and pure maple syrup. It’s a simple, wholesome side dish that brings warmth and comfort to any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables & Fruits
- 4 medium-sized carrots, peeled and sliced into 1-inch pieces
- 2 medium-sized apples, cored and cut into wedges (preferably Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
For the Dressing
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Garnish
- Fresh thyme leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This ensures that the oven is hot enough to roast the apples and carrots to a tender and caramelized perfection.
- Prepare the Vegetables and Fruit: In a large mixing bowl, combine the peeled and sliced carrots and the cored apple wedges, ensuring they are ready to be coated and roasted.
- Make the Dressing: In a separate small bowl, whisk together olive oil, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, ground cinnamon, salt, and black pepper until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Coat the Carrots and Apples: Pour the maple Dijon dressing over the carrots and apples in the large bowl. Toss thoroughly so that all pieces are evenly coated with the flavorful mixture.
- Arrange for Roasting: Spread the coated apples and carrots in a single layer on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper to ensure even cooking and easy cleanup.
- Roast: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes. Stir halfway through the cooking time to promote even caramelization until the carrots are tender and the apples are cooked through.
- Serve and Garnish: Remove from the oven, let cool slightly, then transfer to a serving dish. Garnish with fresh thyme leaves if desired to add a fragrant herbal note.
Notes
- Use apples with firm texture such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp to prevent mushiness during roasting.
- Stir halfway through roasting to ensure even caramelization and prevent burning.
- Fresh thyme leaves add a lovely aromatic touch but are optional.
- This dish pairs beautifully with roasted meats or as a wholesome vegetarian side.
- Adjust salt and pepper according to taste.
