Spiced Carrots and Lentils

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Slice half the carrots into thin slices with a mandoline. Reserve in cold water and keep refrigerated.

Cut the remaining carrots into bite-size pieces or halve them lengthwise and toss with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil along with the cumin, coriander and fennel seeds, 1/4 teaspoon each of the Aleppo Urfa chile, 1 teaspoon salt and a little black pepper. Transfer to a baking sheet and cover. Roast for 20 minutes. Remove the lid and continue to roast until browned, about 5 minutes. Set aside.

For the vinaigrette: Add the olive oil, sherry vinegar, honey, orange flower water if using, salt, pepper to taste and tangerine juice and zest. Blend until thoroughly combined. Set aside.

Cook the red onion with the remaining tablespoon olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the lentils, thyme sprigs and 2 cups water. Cook for 20 to 30 minutes on a simmer, adding more water as necessary. Season with freshly ground pepper, the remaining teaspoon salt and remaining 1/4 teaspoon each Aleppo and Urfa chile. Set aside.

Drain the raw carrots well and toss with about a third of the vinaigrette in a bowl and set aside. Toss the roasted carrots with about another third of the vinaigrette. Toss the lentils with the remaining third of the vinaigrette.