Super Sexy Carrots

While participating in a creme brulee demo in Paris I watched the instructor place brown sugar on the set custard before the final charring took place. I asked why brown sugar instead of white, as I had only seen it done with white sugar before. Without missing a beat she responded, in English, with a thick French overtone, "because it is more sexy." That's a good answer I thought. Brown sugar is definitely the sexier of the sugars.

This super sexy sugar carrot recipe is from one of my new favorite Food Network personalities, Alex Guarnaschelli. And it is super sexy because it uses dark brown sugar. Too sexy, too sexy! Below I have slightly modified her recipe.

Tip: these can be made before and reheated or even fully prepared then frozen for later. You can also substitute light brown sugar for the dark, but then they will only be sexy and not super sexy carrots.

2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 lb. carrots - quartered lengthwise, similar thickness if possible
salt and pepper to taste
2 Tbsp. dark brown sugar
1 Tbsp. molasses
1/2 cup water, more if necessary
2 Tbsp. butter
1/2 Tbsp. dried rosemary, chopped finely almost to a powder

Heat olive oil to medium heat; add carrots and season with salt and pepper. Stir carrots to coat with oil and seasonings. After the carrots have cooked a few minutes add brown sugar and molasses. Continue cooking, stirring from time to time. Add water so carrots can cook and sugar does not burn. Cook until tender about 5-8 minutes. Sauce should be thick enough to coat carrots. Add rosemary and butter, stir to coat well. When butter has melted and carrots are fork tender they are ready.