Carrot Cake Smoothie

March 21, 2018mayurisjikoni

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EVENT: FANTASTICAL FOOD FIGHT

RECIPE: CARROT CAKE SMOOTHIE

Carrot Cake Smoothie – a smoothie without the actual carrot cake but full of carrot cake flavors, healthy and filling.

Fantastical Food Fight Theme:

Its after quite a while that I’m taking part in the Fantastical Food Fight. The theme for the month of March, chosen by Sarah is Carrot Cake. For this theme we can bake a carrot cake or use the carrot cake flavors to make something different.

My Recipe: Carrot Cake Smoothie

As I’m into smoothies for breakfast these days, I opted to prepare a smoothie. I make it a point to have some turmeric powder everyday either in my smoothie or in hot water with lemon and honey. I made the carrot cake smoothie with turmeric added to it for the first time and loved the flavors. It tastes just like a carrot cake but without all the sugar. I added oatmeal to give it a cake like taste. I’ve added a bit more of ginger powder as I love the taste of it. Adjust the amount of spices according to your taste.

What’s missing in the smoothie are some raisins, which I totally forgot to add. This smoothie was definitely so different in taste from my usual smoothie of banana and any other fruit. It was really filling as I didn’t need a snack during mid morning.

If it were not for the theme, I don’t think I would have ever thought of preparing a smoothie with carrots as I normally don’t associate it with breakfast.

Memories – Enkare Nyrobi – Cool Water

I’ve been spending some time in the capital city of Kenya, Nairobi. Nairobi gets its name from the Masai phrase Enkare Nyrobi which means cool water. It perhaps was named so as its got the Nairobi River flowing through it. However, the river is no longer the way I remember it. Its polluted and the flow has reduced due to modernization. I was born and brought up in Nairobi but have been living in Mombasa for the past 35 years.

Usually when hubby and I are traveling abroad, we do not bother to come into the city and prefer to catch our connecting flight. The traffic in Nairobi is a nightmare in spite of all the new highways and numerous inner roads. The new roads are not able to cope with the ever increasing number of cars on on the road. During this stay in Nairobi, we’ve been visiting several malls and other places of interests and I must admit though I’ve grown up here and have in previous years driven myself around, I’d now get lost if I had to drive. Nairobi has changed so much.

Present Time Nairobi

Nairobi over the years has grown by leaps and bounds. Wherever you choose to stay, you will have access to a mega or a reasonably good sized mall. Chains like Carrefour have opened up in several malls, availability of goods, be it food, clothes, gifts, electronics, etc is stupendous. Locally crafted items have become better in quality and more artisans are ready to experiment and create new souvenirs and gift items. Eating scene in Nairobi has changed drastically with so many different kinds of cuisines available.

My Feelings

However all this makes my heart feel really sad. Its not that I’m not happy with the progress that Kenya is making, however what makes me feel jealous, yes jealous is the fact that the rest of Kenya has forgotten that Mombasa exists. Whereas Nairobi and the surrounding towns and areas are improving, Mombasa is on the downslide at a rapid pace. Roads, rubbish collection, availability of goods, business opportunities are practically non existent. But we can only hope and pray that some development will be diverted to the coast.

Update:2021

Hubby and I went to Nairobi after having being cooped up in the house in Mombasa for over 9 months. The ride from the airport to Westlands was a shocker! All the greenery has disappeared as the Chinese are making a huge highway to connect the airport all the way to Lavington. Nairobi now appears like a concrete jungle. Nairobi is still the happening place where food and goods is concerned. Mombasa, in the meantime has become worse.

Recipes With Carrots:

Nutritious and tasty Carrot Bliss Balls
Tea time treat – Carrot Oatmeal Cookies
Enjoy for breakfast, Onion and Carrot Ragi Bhakri
Creamy and Yummy Carrot Coconut Kheer
Serve Lentil and Carrot Kebabs as snacks or as a starter
Carrot Nut Bread – a quick bread full of nuts, coconut and carrot puree. Ideal for breakfast or tea time.
Try a different carrot halwa – Gajar Halwa with Orange and Saffron
Another Breakfast or Tea time treat – Carrot and Apple Nut Bread
Red Cabbage and Carrot Salad
Orange Carrot Muffins – kids love this
I love to have Carrot Orange Salad as a light meal
My Favorite – Beetroot Carrot Salad
Creamy Carrot Soup without the cream
Eggless Carrot Muffins
Apple Carrot Salad – so refreshing

Ingredients Required For Carrot Cake Smoothie:

Carrots – peeled, chopped and steamed or roasted.
Oats – quick cooking variety
Cottage Cheese – paneer or can use ricotta cheese, cream cheese or yogurt
Chia Seeds
Milk – I have dairy milk, but feel free to use any nut milk of your choice
Cinnamon Powder – for flavoring
Ginger Powder – for flavouring. Can use fresh grated ginger if you like.
Turmeric Powder – as an immunity booster
Nutmeg Powder – for flavoring.
Honey – or maple syrup, jaggery or coconut sugar.
Grated Coconut – for topping