Bourbon Glazed Carrots

Ingredients

½ cup butter

2 pounds carrots, peeled, cut into equal-sized pieces

½ teaspoon salt, or more to taste

½ cup bourbon whiskey

⅓ cup brown sugar

1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste

freshly ground black pepper to taste

2 sprigs fresh thyme leaves for garnish (Optional)


Directions

Step 1  Melt butter in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat.

Step 2  When butter foams up, add carrots. Season with salt and cook, stirring, until liquid from carrots evaporates and carrots begin to brown around the edges, 5 or 6 minutes.

Step 3  Reduce heat to medium-low. Carefully pour in bourbon. Cook and stir until bourbon is almost evaporated, about 2 minutes.

Step 4  Sprinkle in brown sugar. Stir until carrots are almost cooked through, about 5 minutes.

Step 5  When carrots are nearly tender, raise heat to medium-high to thicken the glaze, 15 to 30 seconds.

Step 6  Season with cayenne pepper and ground black pepper. Transfer to serving dish and garnish with fresh thyme leaves, if desired.