Preheat oven to 400.
Place carrots, bay leaf, split head of garlic, thyme and olive oil into a bowl, and mix them together. Sprinkle the carrot mixture with the cumin and mix together.
Spread the carrot mixture on a sheet pan, make sure the carrots are in one layer. Roast until the carrots are soft and beginning to caramelize, about 20-30 minutes.
Remove carrots from oven and set aside to cool. Save the aromatics (bay leaf, garlic and thyme) and use to flavor olive oil. You can also squeeze out the roasted garlic and spread it on a baguette.
While the carrots are roasting, make the vinaigrette. You can also make the vinaigrette ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. My favorite way to make dressing is to put all the ingredients in a mason jar and shake to combine. Combine blood-orange juice, vinegar, sugar and salt in a large mason jar. Shake to combine and then add the olive oil. Shake well to combine and keep in refrigerator until ready to use.
For the cumin crème fraîche, mix together the crème fraîche, lemon juice, cumin and pinch of salt. Store in refrigerator until ready to use.
On a large platter, take the cumin crème fraîche and spread it across the bottom of the platter. Lay the carrots across the cumin crème fraîche, top with the arugula, fresh herbs and parsley, roasted almonds and drizzle generously with the blood orange dressing. Serve extra dressing on the side.