Naturally Rosy

Helping you live a healthy life, naturally.

Vegetarian

Easy Vegan French Toast

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Naturally Rosy, Vegan, Vegan French Toast, Toppings, Easy Vegan French Toast, Dairy Free French Toast, Breakfast recipe, Brunch recipe

I’ve been vegetarian for over a year now and I get asked all the time if I miss any foods that I used to eat like meat.. nope! Eggs? Nope. But one thing I did miss about eating out after turning vegetarian was French toast because it was always made with eggs. That is until I found this cute little vegan and organic restaurant about 3 hours north of me in Mendocino called Raven’s Restaurant. And guess what they had – vegan, organic French toast! Honestly, before my husband took me there 4 years ago, I didn’t know vegan French toast could taste that good.

I was determined to recreate it. After many a failed attempts, I finally made the easiest and tastiest vegan French toast that I’m going to share with you today!

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2 Ingredient Cashew Milk

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Naturally Rosy, Cashew milk, frothy cashew milk, vegan, plant based milk, cashews

Cashew milk, cashew mylk? While I’m not quite sure what the appropriate spelling is for this plant-based milk, if you haven’t tried it yet, you’ve got to! It just as smooth as my homemade almond milk, but even easier and naturally slightly sweeter too. Keep in mind that you’ll still have to soak the cashews (like the almonds) for anywhere for 4-8 hours to get a smooth consistency for your milk….

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Beet Hummus Without Chickpeas! (Whole30 Compliant)

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Beets, hummus, beet hummus, Naturally Rosy, dip, sauce, whole30, no legumes

So I’ve been thinking of ways to liven up my zoodles (zucchini noodles).

SIDEBAR- I’m obsessed with my new, stainless steel spiralizer, which I switched out from my old plastic one. Don’t get me wrong, it worked just fine, but as soon as I saw a stainless steel version (aka one that doesn’t produce the same amount of environmental waste), I decided to invest in it and give my other to to my SIL whose been looking to purchase one anyway.

Anywho… back to livening up my zoodles. I made a bunch extra, and since I already had a marinara version the other day, I decided to take an adventurous, Mediterranean turn.

Hummus anyone?…

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5 Minute Guacamole

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Guacamole, Tortilla Chips, Himalayan pink sea salt, Cilantro, Appetizer, Dip

Mmm guacamole.. Honestly, what’s better than super easy guac on a Taco Tuesday kind of night?

This guacamole can be customized to be super creamy (just mash the avocado more), or chunky (leave little chunks instead of mashing all the way through). AND it’ll only take you five minutes to make with 5 ingredients or less!…

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Buckwheat Groats & Carrot Porridge (Gluten-free, Vegan, Paleo, Dairy-free)

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Naturally Rosy, Buckwheat Groats & Carrots Porridge (Gluten-free, Vegan, Paleo)

Buckwheat Groats & Carrot Porridge

I love me a warm, ooey-gooey, comforting breakfast. They’re so perfect for mornings where you just want something sweet. But let’s remember, I’m a veggies girl through and through and I will sneak those babies into just about every meal I eat. So when I think about what I want to eat for a healthy breakfast besides the usual eggs (because those are usually my go-to for having a veggie-filled brekky), I have a hard time figuring out how to add more nutrients.

So how do you get vegetables into sweet breakfast foods?!?

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Gajrela/Gajar ka Halwa/Carrot Dessert (Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free Option)

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NaturallyRosy.com - Sugar free, Gluten-free, Vegetarian Gajrela Carrot Dessert

Gajrela aka Gajar ka Halwa aka Carrot Dessert!

Once I sat down and really thought about the first recipe to feature on Naturally Rosy, it was kind of a no-brainer.

This site is dedicated to my dad, who was my first teacher on how to live a natural life with a balanced mind, body, and soul. So many things I know and am learning stemmed from his influence. He woke up at 4:30AM for most of my life, starting his day with meditation, prayer, and yoga. He was more flexible than most people I know (including myself) at the age of 60! Amazing.

It took me a long time after dad passed away to get into the kitchen and create new recipes again, much less attempt versions of his favorite foods. Once I started, it was a way for me to connect with him again. We had always had a strong spiritual connection, and I realize cooking has been strengthening that. Out of everything I’ve made, this recipe resonates most considering it was hands-down his favorite dessert. It’s my way of paying homage to my inspiration.

Although most of his meals were homemade, he had a major sweet tooth. One of his favorite things to eat was gajrela, an Indian dessert made out of carrots that I can only best describe in English as a carrot pudding. If you’re thinking, “A carrot pudding? What?” you’re not alone. But just trust me on this one 😉

I remember years ago I tried making him a healthier, raw version (the typical recipe includes an insane amount of sugar – something on my no-no list). He tried it of course, (since he was the best taste-tester ever) but I could tell he wasn’t a huge fan even though he told me the opposite. My mom isn’t as subtle, and when I told her I was trying this recipe again, she brought to my attention the first time I tried to make it and no one finished it (lol).

Guess what? I made a brand-new version and mom said it tasted like the gajrela she was used to! *Success* considering she loves her sugar and this recipe contains no refined sugar!! If you know Indian dessert, you know how much of a feat this is.

NaturallyRosy.com - Sugar free, Gluten-free, Vegetarian Gajrela Carrot Dessert

This gajrela dessert recipe is not only healthy with whole ingredients like cinnamon, flax seeds and carrots (with tons of proven benefits!), but it is also gluten-free, vegetarian (with a vegan option), can be nut-free and is completely organic and homemade! You can eat it cold, but I love eating it right after it has been made so it’s nice and warm. Talk about comfort food!

This recipe serves two, but you can easily double (or triple or quadruple) it!

5.0 from 2 reviews
Gajrela (Gajar ka Halwa aka Carrot Dessert)
 
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A dessert made out of carrots! This comforting dessert doesn't use any refined sugar as a sweetener, just dates and honey, and is actually quite healthy!
Author:
Recipe type: Dessert
Cuisine: Indian, Dessert, Vegetarian, Gluten-free, Organic, Refined Sugar free
Serves: 2
Ingredients
  • 1.5 cups of grated carrots (~2 full carrots)
  • 2 dates
  • 1.5 cups of milk (sub almond milk or any nut milk)
  • 1.5 tablespoons ground flax seed
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon ghee (clarified butter)
  • 2 tablespoons raw, organic honey
  • *Optional: Handful of raisins
  • *Optional: Handful of chopped nuts of choice (I find that pistachios and almonds work best)
  • *Optional: ½ tablespoon of hemp seeds
Instructions
  1. Add dates to a food processor for about 5 pulses.
  2. Add grated carrots to processor until dates and carrots are combined (just a couple pulses should do depending on your machine).
  3. Add date/carrot mixture and milk together (if you have a steel pot, that will work best).
  4. Bring to a boil, then turn down heat.
  5. When the milk begins to dissolve, mix in the ghee.
  6. Add ground flax seeds, cinnamon and honey and mix again.
  7. If using nuts, add them in.
  8. Let simmer for about 10 to 15 minutes, adding in raisins (if using) towards the end, and stirring occasionally.
  9. Once all the milk is dissolved, stir to desired consistency.
  10. Top with hemp seeds if using, and serve immediately!

Gajrela can be easily reheated, or eaten cold. It can be kept in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.

Let me know how you like the recipe! I’d love to hear from you!

Enjoy!