Roasted Tahini Baby Carrots

This recipe is a $2 dollar side dish that is warming and perfect this time of year. It goes great with any main meat or other veggie dish you are making for dinner. I forgot how much I loved carrots until now. This side dish reminded me of it's prefect sweetness and grace. Sweetly roasted and delicately crunchy. Really. Yes. It is roasted carrots.

This time of year you may be trying a few different habits... like trying to eat healthy, or working on an elimination diet, or attempting to stick to a budget or save more money. I get it. I know...I am in the same boat. We are all trying to improve, it is part of our human nature. And, besides the challenge, it could bring new joys and triumphs once you start to see your new challenges become new successes. So, why am I saying all of this now, well... this kind of simple side dish will hopefully inspire you to take "baby" steps to adding more veggies in your dinners, and adding less sugar to your life...and save money in the process. How do you do that with a side dish...? Well, let me explain.

First of all, carrots. Carrots are a sweet root vegetable that have strong antioxidant power to keep your immune system strong along with vitamins, minerals and basic freshness. Don't underestimate the carrot. It will keep you full of energy and immunity power. So, there is one veggie that can be more friendly to the friend that in starting to adapt more veggies to their diet. It is low in calories and good in every aspect. Also, because it is a sweet veggie you can help derail your sugar cravings with eating more naturally sweet root veggies. They will start to decrease your craving for the bad sugars and find satisfaction in the whole healthy natural sugars in veggies and fruits. My last reason for this great simple recipe is that it is cheap! Let me share how much this cost me to make.... $1.50 for a 1 pound bag of organic baby carrots from California. 1 TB of tahini (sesames seeds) was about 25 cents or so, and then 1 TB of olive oil, another 20 cents or so, and then dashes of cumin, salt, and pepper.... not really more than a few cents probably. There you have it.... a fresh veggie side for under 2 dollars. So no excuses for adding more vegetables to you life. So take baby steps with some baby carrots this week, in the new year and remember...keep it simple and be creative!

Roasted Tahini Baby Carrots

1 bag of organic baby carrots (1 pound bag)

1 TB of tahini (sesame nut butter and oils)

----or if you do not have any tahini, try almond butter, peanut butter or other nut butter----

1 TB of extra virgin olive oil

1/2 ts. of cumin

1/2 ts. of sea salt

1/2 ts of ground black pepper

Chop up the baby carrots in half, or 4ths. Put them all on a cookie sheet covered in parchment paper. Toss the oil and spices with your hands. Make sure they are evenly coated and then put in the oven. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes or until browned enough to your liking. And viola! Ready to serve up!

I forgot to mention that this recipe is simple and fast as well. Not a lot of time with those baby carrots. They are already pealed and cut down to size, so just do a few more chops and add the sauce and they are ready. My main reason for this easy recipes is to inspire you to see how dinner, vegetables and sides in an allergy-free kitchen do not all have to be rocket science and a ton of money. Be resourceful with your time and money and save that to spend more time for your family or loved ones. It's worth it!

I roasted some kale pesto almond coated chicken alongside the carrots (recipe to come!) And the dinner was full of so many nutrients that was satisfying and not too heavy on the diet. I love that. It is these simple meals that keep me inspired and coming back to the kitchen for more.

What are some of your favorite simple, nourishing and budget-friendly meals or side dishes?

I hope you have a great week friends.

Much love to you!