Carrot Mountain

Hi everyone! Howโ€™s your day going?? Mine has been full of training appointments and a small shopping blitz at TJ Maxx โ€“our TJ Maxx here is surprisingly awesomeโ€ฆ.oh, and a mountain of carrots.

carrots

Since I couldnโ€™t get that sweet, tasty Indian carrot dish (which, thanks to you guys, I found out was called โ€œGajar Halwaโ€) out of my mind, I decided to make my own.

Before I got started, I had the urge to juice some things.

juice

Blurry kale ribs, 6 strawberries, an organic cuc, 1/2 beet and an apple

It was probably the coolest looking Cullen juice Iโ€™ve made.

Layers!

juice (2)

I chugged that bad johnny down and got to work.

Vegan Gajar Halwa

halva

Serves two normal people as a side dish; serves one Gina as a snack

Ingredients:

-8 large carrots

-1 T Earth Balance (I use soy-free; roll with any vegan butter of choice)

-sea salt

-1 C almond milk

-1 t vanilla extract

-pinch each of nutmeg and saffron

-1/4 t cinnamon

-7 drops liquid Stevia (or sweetener to taste)

Directions

1. Heat a skillet just over medium heat (one 1-10, ours was set at 6) while you prep the carrots

2. If you have a lot of time, grate the carrots. If youโ€™re impatient like me, throw them in the food processor and pulse until crumbly but not mushy

carrots

3. Add 1/2 T of the Earth Balance to the skillet, the carrots and sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt. Cook the carrots, stirring occasionally for 7-10 minutes.

4. Reduce heat to medium low and add the almond milk, the other 1/2 T Earth balance, the saffron, vanilla, cinnamon, Stevia, nutmeg and saffron.

5. Cook for 15 minutes until mixture is thick and creamy, almost like a pudding. If you can stand it anymore, itโ€™s perfectly edible after 10 minutes

halva

6. Feastโ€ฆ and wish you had made more ๐Ÿ˜‰

halva (2)

ยฉ2010 The Fitnessista

Please let me know if any of you give this a whirl! ๐Ÿ˜€

Conference call, core body fusion (just abs and stretching) and then meeting the girls for dinner and a movie. Weโ€™re seeing Remember Me- Iโ€™m thinking that Iโ€™ll love it ๐Ÿ™‚

xoxo,

G$

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66 Comments

  1. Heather (Heather's Dish) on March 25, 2010 at 3:27 pm

    YUM! i wasn’t sure how i felt about this til i saw the recipe…it sounds amazing! hope you guys have a blast tonight at the movies ๐Ÿ™‚

  2. Megan @ Healthy Hoggin' on March 25, 2010 at 3:29 pm

    That looks delicious! Thanks for the recipe!

    I saw Remember Me the other night– I’m curious to hear what you think of it! I will tell you, it’s a bit surprising!!

    • Fitnessista on March 25, 2010 at 3:30 pm

      hahah i begged a client to tell me the entire synopsis ๐Ÿ™‚

  3. Allison (Eat Clean Live Green) on March 25, 2010 at 3:29 pm

    That sounds really good – I think I’d rather make it with olive oil than Earth Balance though – even more flavor! ๐Ÿ™‚

  4. Jessica @ How Sweet on March 25, 2010 at 3:32 pm

    That looks really good and I don’t even like carrots!

  5. Lauren @ Eater not a runner on March 25, 2010 at 3:32 pm

    That sounds delicious!! I love carrots ๐Ÿ™‚

  6. Kelly on March 25, 2010 at 3:33 pm

    Haha it looks like your spoon is bending under the weight of the carrots!

    • Fitnessista on March 25, 2010 at 3:34 pm

      hahah i’m pretty sure i ate with a spoon that i used to break into ice cream at one point ๐Ÿ™‚

  7. Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman on March 25, 2010 at 3:35 pm

    This looks awesome. I have such a sweet tooth, so I think I’ll love it. It sounds almost dessert-like.

    • Fitnessista on March 25, 2010 at 3:40 pm

      it was totally like a dessert ๐Ÿ™‚

  8. Gillian on March 25, 2010 at 3:37 pm

    So WEIRD — on the morning tv show I have on whilst I get ready for work here in Toronoto – there was a lady making that exact dish (but not vegan) – I have never heard/seen this dish ever now its twice in one way – funny how things like that happen!

  9. Jenny on March 25, 2010 at 3:37 pm

    You are a cooking goddess! I don’t know how you do it!

    • Fitnessista on March 25, 2010 at 3:48 pm

      thanks girl!

  10. Gina G on March 25, 2010 at 3:42 pm

    i loved the movie! it really is suprising, but it really struck a cord with me, idk why haha

    p.s. your carrot mountain looks and sounds delicious!

  11. Therese on March 25, 2010 at 3:44 pm

    Oh my god! I’m so trying that recipe! I think I (and my boyfriend) are gonna love it! Thanks for your obsessiveness!

    • Fitnessista on March 25, 2010 at 3:49 pm

      hahah anytime ๐Ÿ™‚

  12. Lisa on March 25, 2010 at 3:46 pm

    That dish looks soooo yummy! I’m going to try it tonight! ๐Ÿ™‚

    • Fitnessista on March 25, 2010 at 3:48 pm

      let me know what you think!

  13. sara on March 25, 2010 at 3:53 pm

    I wanted a new yoga class so I went to yogadownload.com with the fitnessista discount in mind!! But I was so excited about getting the class that I FORGOT TO USE THE CODE!!! GAHHH IM SO MAD. lol. oh well… at least I have my class..

  14. La on March 25, 2010 at 3:55 pm

    Shopping + core fusion=better workout than weight and cardio (in my humble opinion lol). That recipe looks awesome, I just can’t stand cooked carrots so I think I might be skipping this particular Fitnessista creation ๐Ÿ˜‰
    And I just realized I’ve been commenting on your blog this whole time with the wrong URL. I’m an idiot.

  15. sarah on March 25, 2010 at 3:56 pm

    This recipe sounds FANTASTIC! Next Fitnessista — try your hand at making that delicious Indian rice pudding veganized. I would die over that. ๐Ÿ™‚

  16. Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg on March 25, 2010 at 4:03 pm

    “Cullen juice” lol ๐Ÿ™‚

    That carrot dish looks great! V. impressive!

  17. Melissa (MelissaLikesToEat) on March 25, 2010 at 4:18 pm

    Nice job on the recipe. Looks fab! I can’t wait to see what other Indian dishes you “Gina-ize”. ๐Ÿ™‚

  18. Katherine on March 25, 2010 at 4:39 pm

    YUM! looks so good!

    Do you shop more at TJ Maxx type stores or department and specialty stores?

    Thanks,
    Katherine

    • Fitnessista on March 25, 2010 at 5:22 pm

      more specialty type stores. almost all my clothes are from express, j crew or victorias secret. the tj maxx here is seriously amazing though!

  19. Babs on March 25, 2010 at 4:52 pm

    I saw on twitter that you’re heading to Vegas. I’ve been out there a bit, since my parents live outside of Vegas. You must try to make it to Go Raw. It’s off the strip, but worth it ๐Ÿ˜‰ Also I suggest the Stratosphere for awesome rides. You can get some good deals on hotels. I stayed at the Luxor for 35 a night.

  20. Paige (Running Around Normal) on March 25, 2010 at 5:03 pm

    Um, I was to visit Carrot Mountain, please!! ๐Ÿ˜‰
    Have fun at the movie!!

  21. Sara K. on March 25, 2010 at 5:20 pm

    Oh my God. You are a genius, I am in love with Gajar Halwa but have never attempted it before. That will be rectified immediately! Thank! I bet it would be awesome with some vanilla bean coconut bliss.

    • Fitnessista on March 25, 2010 at 5:21 pm

      yes it would!!! i have some in the freezer too.. stupid lent, haha

  22. Sara K. on March 25, 2010 at 5:20 pm

    Haha, thanks, not thank.

  23. Heather on March 25, 2010 at 6:09 pm

    I love that you still make time for your girlies despite being married. You’re a superwoman without even trying. [;

    • Fitnessista on March 25, 2010 at 9:37 pm

      of course, i love hanging out with my girls ๐Ÿ™‚

  24. Karyn on March 25, 2010 at 6:19 pm

    jealous that you have an awesome tj maxx. the one i go to is soooo hit or miss.

  25. LisaG on March 25, 2010 at 6:30 pm

    My spiralizer came!! Can’t wait to spiralize everything. Let us know how your dinner and a movie are.

    • Fitnessista on March 25, 2010 at 9:37 pm

      whoo hoo! what’s going to be first? a sweet potato or zucchini??

      • LisaG on March 26, 2010 at 8:23 am

        I think zucchini!!

  26. Kelly on March 25, 2010 at 6:48 pm

    Hey!! Seriously tried Indian food for the first time last weekend and this carrot dish was to die for! Ahmazing!! Thanks for the recipe! I’ll let you know how it turns out! Enjoy the movie! RPatz!! ๐Ÿ™‚ ๐Ÿ™‚

  27. Brynne on March 25, 2010 at 7:38 pm

    I think you’ll LOVE Remember Me – I did! It was a lot different from what I was expecting, but so good, darkly funny, and a huge twist ending!

  28. Jenny on March 25, 2010 at 8:41 pm

    Have fun tonight! You will love Remember Me–it’s actually pretty impressive, and even it weren’t, it’s 2 HOURS of Rob Patt! ๐Ÿ˜‰

  29. whitney @ whitinspired on March 25, 2010 at 8:47 pm

    God. I loved Remember Me. It was depressing..but good. And duh. 2 hours of R. Patz is a wonderful thing ๐Ÿ™‚

  30. Samantha on March 25, 2010 at 8:53 pm

    I LOVE TJ MAXX!! So great!

  31. Suzanne on March 25, 2010 at 9:43 pm

    I will definitely be trying that recipe! I LOVE carrots. I LOVE Indian food. Therefore, me thinks, I will LOVE carrot mountain. Do you think it would reheat well? It looks like maybe not, but I’m on a packed lunch regimen M-F. I can already anticipate the looks I would receive for eating what resembles babyfood. TJ Maxx has nothing on nordstrom rack, but TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Ross, etc still all good in my book. Requires a little digging sometimes, but that can be half the fun.

    • Fitnessista on March 25, 2010 at 10:00 pm

      i think it would reheat very well ๐Ÿ™‚
      and nordstrom rack is amazing… i love a good treasure hunt

  32. kate on March 25, 2010 at 9:55 pm

    I love that it serves two or 1 Gina hungry or a snack!

  33. Jessica @ The Process of Healing on March 25, 2010 at 10:03 pm

    That looks great!!!! And I want to see that movie too, very curious as to if you like it or not!

  34. Diana on March 25, 2010 at 10:09 pm

    I tried the carrot dish for dinner tonight but made a few substitutions for the spices. It was DELISH. Doubling the recipe = lunch leftovers ๐Ÿ™‚ Thank you!

  35. Michele | aka Raw Juice Girl on March 25, 2010 at 11:33 pm

    Awesome! It would probably taste yummy with coconut oil, too. ๐Ÿ˜€

  36. Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga) on March 26, 2010 at 3:16 am

    I love how you whip up vegan ethnic food like nobody’s business, girl! You rock! And I hope you guys enjoyed the movie ๐Ÿ™‚

  37. Judy on March 26, 2010 at 5:36 am

    Oh yum! Looks fantastic. Maybe even DH would like it . . .

  38. JenSanders52 on March 26, 2010 at 7:07 am

    Yum! I’ve never eaten Indian food, but this looks like something I must try!

    Remember Me is good, but has quite the unexpected ending! Take some tissues ๐Ÿ™‚

  39. Rachel on March 26, 2010 at 7:22 am

    Hey- I was just wondering what size food processor you have that you used to chop the carrots? thanks!

    • Fitnessista on March 26, 2010 at 8:03 am

      i have a little cuisinart food chopper– i just chop the carrots in batches ๐Ÿ™‚

  40. Kalli@fitandfortysomething on March 26, 2010 at 8:02 am

    Love tj maxx! I knew you could make delicious Indian food:)

  41. Catherine on March 26, 2010 at 9:48 am

    That looks crazy delicious! I am totally saving this recipe… perhaps as an addition to easter dinner?? I need to come up with some vegetarian recipes because my mom’s making lamb, which i have not eaten since I was about 7 when I realized exactly what it was.

  42. Ami on March 26, 2010 at 10:24 am

    You should try the gajar halwa with cardamom powder next time! I’ve always had this dessert with cardamom in it and it adds something really special that nutmeg and cinnamon do not.

    You should try to recreate a healthy version of my favorite indian dessert: http://food.sulekha.com/sweet-copra-pak-id3135-33851-recipe.htm

    COCONUT!! You’ll love it.

    • Fitnessista on March 26, 2010 at 11:20 am

      YUM! that sounds glorious ๐Ÿ™‚

  43. Pure2Raw Twins on March 26, 2010 at 3:50 pm

    Love the layers in the juice ๐Ÿ˜‰ And wow that carrot mountain looks delicious!

  44. Julianne on March 28, 2010 at 7:51 pm

    My twin sister and I have our own food blog, but we’ve been readers of yours for quite some time now. A first time commenter, but I realized we had incorporated too much Fitnessista into our lives to not give you some credit! We made this carrot dish tonight- totally delish. Also just started making breakfast cookies and we’re absolutely in love with them! We may or may not use the words “lonchi”, “foodgasms”, and “bloggys” on a daily basis. So thanks for being so awesome and keep up the super blog ๐Ÿ™‚

  45. Kate on September 22, 2010 at 3:09 pm

    I made your recipe a while back, but I think my carrots must have been a lot larger or something, because using eight made a HUGE amount! Were you using large baby carrots?? I wound up with a huge tub of mashed up carrot and the spices were all off because there was WAAYYY too much carrot! (And I love them!)

    It was still good, I was just confused ๐Ÿ™‚

  46. Socal Rachel on April 2, 2012 at 3:28 pm

    I finally made this. I was skeptical but it was great.

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