Glazed Carrots with Pecans

Growing up my mom would sometimes cook fresh carrots with a hint of something sweet like honey or orange juice. I think it's a pretty unique flavor profile, so I experimented with it.

2 large carrots
2 garlic cloves, minced
healthy sprinkle of black pepper
dash Kosher salt
1 Tbsp real maple syrup
2 Tbsp water

handful of pecans

Wash and cut the carrots and add to a pan with the minced garlic, pepper, and salt. Cook for a few minutes on medium heat until the garlic softens and the carrots lose some of their bite. Add the maple syrup and pecans and turn the heat to medium high. Let the syrup carmalize around the carrots a bit and form a glaze for just a minute or two. Add the water and reduce the heat back to medium. Let cook for about 5 minutes until the water evaporates, the carrots are soft, and the pecans are toasted.




These turned out really delicious and I'm so happy I thought to include the nuts. The glaze on the carrots was just a "hint," not a thick, cloying sweetness.

I served alongside baby lima beans and a chicken breast I "grilled" under the broiler with Jack Daniel's No. 7 BBQ sauce. The carrots' bold flavor held its ground against the stronger flavor of the charred chicken.

Also, I've been forgetting to include this for a couple weeks now! Jessie at The Happiness in Health gave me an award! Thanks Jessie, sorry I'm so slow!

The rules say to list 10 things that make me happy before passing it onto other bloggers.

1) This semester being OVER, which means no more Macroeconomics!
2) A surprise week break before the next semester starts.
3) My new bowl!
4) I have already procured my mom an awesome Mother's Day gift!
5) Corn on the cob will soon be in season!
6) Reading a good book on a sunny day. (Thank you all for your suggestions!)
7) Friday Firsts and all that participate weekly!
8) Learning to can this summer (hopefully)!
9) My comfy bed and pillow.
10) My new(to me) bike! (Thanks mom and dad!)

I'm going to take the easy way out again and pass it onto all of you and ask that you tell me at least one thing that makes you happy in the comments!