Home cooks looking to elevate a classic side dish have been given a masterclass from a popular online chef, whose simple method for creating "banging" roast carrots hinges on one clever final addition.
The Secret to 'Delicious' Roast Carrots
Max McCann, the food content creator behind the successful Meals with Max brand, has unveiled his top tip for making roast carrots "so delicious". Known for his straightforward and approachable recipes, McCann boasts a large TikTok following, a cookbook, and a recipe app. His recent video detailing his preferred roasting method has captured significant attention on social media.
Roasted carrots are a versatile component for many meals, from a traditional Sunday roast to salads, or even as a healthier alternative to chips. In his tutorial, McCann emphasised the importance of starting with properly prepared vegetables. "This is my favourite way to make roasted carrots - they're so delicious and easy to make," he began, after washing and thoroughly drying the carrots to ensure they roast rather than steam.
Max McCann's Step-by-Step Method
McCann demonstrated a specific chopping technique to achieve evenly sized pieces. "Trim off the top and the bottom then slice them in half," he instructed. "Slice at an angle then flat, then at an angle then flat, to get triangle pieces like this." He then arranged the carrot pieces in a single layer on a roasting tray to avoid overcrowding, which is crucial for achieving caramelisation.
The carrots were drizzled with oil, seasoned with salt and black pepper, and tossed with a couple of sprigs of fresh rosemary. They were then roasted in an oven preheated to 200 degrees Celsius for about 35 minutes, with a suggested flip halfway through the cooking time.
The Unexpected 'Sticky' Finale
The key twist in McCann's recipe comes once the carrots are roasted. He revealed his secret ingredient: cranberry sauce. "Take the carrots out of the oven, add some cranberry sauce, remove the rosemary and make sure the carrots are fully coated in the sauce," he explained. The tray then goes back into the oven for a final five minutes until the carrots are "nice and sticky and glossy."
Presenting the finished dish, McCann said, "They should come out like this - caramelised and delicious." After tasting, he gave his verdict: "That is absolutely banging. Lovely." The recipe was met with widespread praise in the comments section, with viewers describing the result as "delicious", "brilliant", and "yummy".
