In this post, I briefly mentioned my obsession with carrots. I don't know whether I was a rabbit in a past life, or my body just needs more beta carotene than most - but I can never have enough carrots.
Carrot cake has always been one of my favourite cake varieties, so in recent years I went on a quest to incorporate carrot cake into different meals. Carrot cake pancakes, breakfast bakes, oatmeal, rice pudding (I'll post a recipe for this because it's my favourite!), muffins - whatever I can possibly come up with that could work with carrot cake flavours, I'll try.
Whenever we go to Costco, I purchase the giant 3kg bag of carrots. Now, this would probably last a normal family quite a while - but I manage to go through it in little over a week... on my own.
No wonder the doctor thought I was turning orange from carrots, right? But hey, at least my Mum can't complain I don't eat my vegetables!
My family and my fiance aren't convinced by the whole vegetables with breakfast deal. The first time I made a bowl of carrot cake oats I got some pretty weird looks.
"You put what in your oatmeal?"
"Wow.. you're a special one, Kristy"
"Carrot cake whaaaaaaaaaaat?"
But really, they're just missing out. This creamy bowl of oatmeal has all the flavours you love from carrot cake, is warm and comforting and a delicious healthy breakfast!
Carrot Cake Oatmeal serves one
A delicious, healthy breakfast with the flavours of carrot cake.
1/2 cup rolled oats (I used GF oats)
1 cup milk of your choice
3/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp mixed spice (or nutmeg/more cinnamon)
1/4 tsp mixed spice (or nutmeg/more cinnamon)
1 tbsp raisins
1 tsp maple syrup (add more if you prefer things sweeter)
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 medium carrot, grated/shredded*
1 tbsp coconut (optional)**
2 tbsp pecans/walnuts
In a small saucepan bring oats, milk and cinnamon to the boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and add raisins.
Once most of the liquid has absorbed into the oats, add maple syrup, vanilla, carrot and coconut. Keep stirring until you reach your desired consistency.
Pour oats into a bowl, topping with nuts and extra maple syrup, if desired.
*To make this breakfast quicker to put together, I just throw a peeled carrot into my magic bullet and process it until it's shredded. Also known as, I really hate grating.
**I also toast my unsweetened shredded coconut in the microwave before putting it into the oats to give it more flavour.
So tell me, do you make any weird food combinations that others gawk at but you love?
Woah, interesting way of combining two awesome foods!
ReplyDeleteumm.... I'm not sure which weird food combos I have.... used to be pasta alfredo with highly manufactured hotdogs. Those were the days I didn't know any better, and well I'd have it now, but know it's not good for me at all!
It sounds a little odd, but it's so yum! Just like carrot cake itself, I suppose.
DeleteSometimes foods that aren't good for you taste the best, I'm all for occasional indulgences!
I'm not much of a sweet sweet eater (thanks to my hypoglycemia) but whilst in Louisiana I rekindled my love of Hunt's snack pack chocolate pudding :P It was finally a "normal" food I could eat along with everyone else since my food intolerances generally mean I can't do that.
I don't know - these oats sound pretty tasty to me - and full of good texture. I am pretty simple with breakfasts but I will have to try this one weekend when I have more time in the morning.
ReplyDeleteWeird food combos....well, I can thank my mom for two of them. She used to make me and my brothers peanut butter and mayonnaise sandwiches. No one believes me when I tell them we liked it. Peanut butter and bacon sandwiches were the other one. I've done the pb & bacon (well, facon, I'm vegetarian) as an adult. Never revisited the pb & mayo....I should just to gross out my husband. ha ha! :-)
Definitely give them a try, they're delicious!
DeletePeanut butter and mayonnaise sounds very different! But maybe it works on the whole sweet/salty/sour taste balance. I know alot of people are using bacon with peanut butter or desserts these days, but as someone who doesn't like bacon at all I can't understand!
Yum! I am definitely going to make this! When I'm in the "Every meal should be dessert" mode it will help a lot!
ReplyDeleteHey Robyn! It's a delicious recipe, let me know what you think! :)
DeleteI love carrot cake! I'm not a fan of rolled oats, so I used steel cut instead and it turned it great. I also subbed drained pineapple for the coconut. I will be eating this all winter! Does really taste like carrot cake :)
ReplyDeleteYum! I'm so glad you loved it, Holly! Be sure to send us a picture next time you make it so I can add it to our reader showcase!
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