Recipes like this make me smile.  Recipes that highlight just a few quality ingredients and that transform these relatively simple ingredients into something grand.  Here, we are highlighting carrots, maple syrup and vanilla beans.  Organic, peeled carrots are cut on the diagonal for an elegant appearance, and cooked in a pot of water along with a sweet vanilla bean until tender.  Once the water is absorbed you add in a pat of butter, the maple syrup and salt and pepper to flavor the already sweet carrots.  It might sound odd to add sweet flavorings into a somewhat savory side dish, but believe me, this is one of the best carrot dishes you will ever taste!

Tagged: carrot, carrots, maple syrup, maple-vanilla carrots, Martha Stewart, side dish, vanilla bean, vegetables