Chocolate Balsamic Roasted Baby Carrots

February has been chocolate month on Food for Life.....we all love a delicious and decadent chocolate dessert. What about a savory, rich and inviting chocolate dish?

I love chocolate about as much as I love coffee and that is saying a lot. This untraditional recipe that uses chocolate to enhance all the flavors in this dish is, just delicious.


Ingredients:
1 pound carrots
3 tbs. olive oil
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
Optional: 3 sprigs of thyme or rosemary

For the Syrup:
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 oz dark chocolate
1 tsp. honey
Pinch sea salt

Instructions
Preheat the oven 375 degrees. Put the carrots on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle with olive oil. Make sure to space them out in a single layer. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until tender.

While the carrots roast, make the syrup. Add the vinegar to a small pot and simmer to medium-low and reduced by half. Remove from the heat and add the 1/2 oz chocolate. Stir in the chocolate and honey until well combined. Add a generous pinch of salt. Plate the carrots and serve the sauce over the top.