Coconut-Roasted Carrots in Turmeric Broth

Roasting carrots in coconut oil makes them even sweeter and nuttier than usual. What better complement to a sour, pungent broth? While this recipe from the first mess was a bit too turmericky for me to become a typical staple, I thought it was a really beautifully balanced dish, particularly good, perhaps, when your immune system is fighting something.

(ps I didn't strain the broth)

roasted carrots + rice with zingy turmeric broth 

(from the first mess)

Ingredients

2 medium carrots, scrubbed + cut into 1 inch pieces

oil

fresh/dried thyme leaves (+ extra for the broth)

salt + pepper

sizeable knob of coconut oil/ghee

1/2 shallot, fine dice

1 clove of garlic, minced

1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, peeled + minced

1-2 tsp ground turmeric

1 cup filtered water

juice from 1/2 a lemon

cooked brown/wild/whatever rice for serving 

sprouts/shoots/small greens of some kind (I omitted this)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Line a small baking sheet with parchment.

2. Toss the carrots with some thyme, oil, salt + pepper. Scatter them in a single layer on the baking sheet and slide them into the oven. Roast for about 20 minutes or until the carrots are browned in spots and soft.
3. Meanwhile, heat the coconut oil in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the shallots. Stir them about and sauté them until translucent and soft, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic, ginger, and a sprig of thyme if you like (or a sprinkle of dried thyme leaves). Stir this mix about until it’s very fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the turmeric to the pot and stir to incorporate. Keep stirring until the mix seems paste-like. You’re cooking the raw-ness out of the spice at this point, ideally for about 3 minutes (add more coconut oil if necessary). Slowly add the water and stir. Gently simmer the broth for 10 minutes or so. Add the lemon juice and stir at the end. Season the broth with salt and pepper.
4. Place the roasted carrots and rice in a bowl. Strain the turmeric broth if you like, then ladle it on top. Garnish the bowl with sprouts and sesame seeds if you like. Serves 1-2.