Transport your tastebuds to Africa with this Moroccan spiced roasted carrots side dish drizzled with a creamy yogurt dressing.
One of the reasons I love dining out in restaurants is because I am always inspired to recreate certain dishes in my own way once I get back home. In fact, if you ever find yourself in a cooking rut I urge you to check out a new hot spot in town or hit the road and find a new favorite across town.
Recently I enjoyed a delicious Moroccan carrot salad at a local restaurant downtown. When I got home, I couldn't wait to try and mimic the flavor profile so I quickly started playing around with classic African spices including turmeric, cinnamon and ground ginger.
To make the carrots sweet and tender I decided to roast them in the oven until they were perfectly caramelized but still firm to the bite. For a quick dressing I whisked together plain yogurt, lemon juice and freshly grated garlic with more of the Moroccan spices.
The end result? Even better than what I tasted at the fancy restaurant. Light, healthy yet so rich in flavor - your entire family will love this simple and delicious carrot side dish recipe.
Your fork is waiting.
Moroccan Spiced Roasted Carrots
Ingredients
- 12 medium carrots (shaved and quartered vertically)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon turmeric
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon allspice
- ½ cup whole milk plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic (grated)
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees and line a baking dish with foil.
- Place carrots in a large resealable plastic bag and drizzle with olive oil.
- In a medium bowl, mix together all of the spices: cinnamon through allspice. Place half of the spice mixture in the bag with the carrots and shake until evenly coated. Spread the carrots evenly on prepared baking sheet and roast until tender and caramelized, 20-25 minutes.
- While the carrots are roasting, prepare the yogurt dressing by adding the yogurt, lemon juice and garlic into the bowl with the remaining spices. Whisk until smooth and creamy; set aside.
- Serve the carrots on a platter and drizzle with yogurt dressing to serve. Can be served warm, room temperature or chilled.
Nutrition
More Healthy Sides are waiting for you on Pinterest!
Looks so flavorful and delicious, Liz!
This sounds tasty! I'm loving me some carrot dishes right now!
Liz, I love roasting carrots and that sauce--WOW!! Takes it to a whole new level!
I hope you try it some time!!
This looks so delicious. A perfect side for a family dinner
Thank you so much!
i love roasted veggies! that dressing sounds amazing too!
I hope you try it Kristi!
I love finding inspiration when I'm out to eat. It keeps things fresh at home (and I can then have another excuse to eat out ;-) )
Yes exactly - I love a good excuse to eat out. ;)
How did you keep the yogurt sauce so light in color. Once I added half of the spice mix it turned orange? The spices were good, but kind of strong for the amount of carrots, especially the cinnamon. Did you use these exact amounts?
Hi Toni - I know one thing that can slightly alter the color is brand of turmeric you use or buy. Mine was actually given to me as a gift from a friend who was traveling in the Middle East and I notice it's a bit lighter than some of the other turmeric I've found in the US. Either way, the color isn't much of importance but I do want you to enjoy the flavor. I know the carrots I was using were a bit on the large size (I often quarter them) so that could also make an impact. Otherwise next time try it with a little less! You can also dial up the spice if you prefer with cayenne. Make it your own!
Roasted veggies are always a plus around here, so these Moroccan flavored carrots are a must try!
You will love the Moroccan spices!!
I love doing that too! I am constantly taking pictures of menus because sometimes there are so many things I want to recreate later that I know I'll never be able to remember them all, lol! These carrots look AMAZING!
haha right?? So smart to take the photo of the menu!!!
I get so much of my recipe inspiration from restaurants as well! Love all the spices on this...they really take carrots to a whole new level!
It really is such a great way to be inspired. And you live in the best city for that!
Roasted veggies are my favorite... and that sauce! I'm SO trying these!
I hope you love it sista!
Yum! This is definitely up my alley Liz! Which restaurant did you eat at?
Six.One.Six downtown at the JW Marriott!!
What a beautiful dish!! I am so making this for Easter!
I hope you love it!
Now these look too good to be true!
Thank you so much!! They were so good and EASY!
So Simple but so darn tasty!!
Simple is my favorite recipe description. :)
These looks fantastic! Roasted veggies of any kind make me happy :) Thanks for sharing Liz <3
Me too Marina!!