Last night we had a family sit-down dinner because our son was home from college. It was also Martin Luther King’s birthday weekend, and in past years we’ve taken advantage of family dinners by reading excerpts from his books. (Let the Trumpet Sound is another excellent book.) This time we read from Strength to Love. It was beautiful and challenging as our family continues to learn about love and courage.
With Elliot home, I knew I wanted to cook a special meal, so I pulled out fish from the freezer that he had caught this last summer, and then I set out to find some good side dish recipes.
I just happened to get my girlfriend Carrie’s new book in the mail this past week. It’s called Deliciously Organic, and it’s written by Carrie Vitt, who blogs at Deliciously Organic, whom I adore. I’ve been able to spend some time with her and let me just say that she’s my kind of girl. Kinda like you’d love a sister.
This is the recipe that jumped out and grabbed me from this fabulous new cookbook, and one which I knew I had all of the ingredients for–Carrot Souffle’.
Oh my, can you say “dessert?”
Seriously, it’s a side dish that is good enough to be a dessert. The maple flavor with the sweet carrots …
Mm-m-m. Mm-m-m. Mm-m-m.
I’m going to share the recipe with you today, and also I’ll be giving away a copy of Deliciously Organic! I’m so excited. I think everyone should have a copy of this book!
All you have to do is answer the question, after I list the recipe, to be eligible to win.
Carrot Souffle’
Serves 61 pound carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
3/4 cup maple syrup
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. baking powder
2 Tbs. plus 1 tsp. whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 large eggsPreheat oven to 350 and adjust rack to middle position. Butter an 8×8 baking dish.
Bring an inch of water to a simmer on medium-low heat in a medium saucepan. Add carrots, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until tender. Drain well.
Pour cooked carrots into a food processor. Add maple syrup, vanilla, baking powder, flour, cinnamon, and melted butter, and puree. While the machine is running, add eggs, one at a time through the tube. Process until smooth. Pour carrots into the pan. Bake for 1 hour or until set and edges are golden brown.
Easy tip: This dish freezes well. After pureeing, pour into a covered container and freeze. Thaw, pour into pan, and bake as stated above, when ready to use.
I actually doubled the recipe, and I’m so glad I did. Except … there wasn’t much leftover!
Now for the chance to win. If you’ve heard about the benefits of organic or whole foods, but need a little nudge to make the switch, Deliciously Organic will help you launch your own food revolution. Carrie really makes it easy with her recipes. (And isn’t she just darling in her carrot-orange shirt?) 
Answer to WIN
Are you a healthy cook, or do you wish you could switch over to “organic” or “whole foods?” If so, what’s stopping you? If not, comment any way for a chance to win!
My answer? Yes, I wish I could switch over … completely. One reason we grow our own garden is to cook and eat healthier. But … I still haven’t completely made the switch.
More Changes to WIN
Facebook, Tweet, or post about this book on your blog (make sure and come back and tell me) and you’ll receive a 2nd or 3rd chance to win.
(The winner will be chosen and announced on Wednesday, January 19th. Thank you, Carrie! Don’t forget to check out Carrie’s blog, here. And this post is linked to Cindy Hopper’s today!)
Hi, I'm Sandy. Five years ago I stocked up on beautiful glasses from the Dollar Store. As I started writing about dinner parties, I realized that this “icon” portrays a great message. 
I love the idea of eating more organic food, but it is more expensive, that’s the main thing stopping us. We got our first garden this summer and I enjoyed my first trial at growing my own, I’m going to be trying a lot more this year.
This souffle looks lovely and a bit healthier than my favourite cheese version!
Have a lovely day,
Jade
Jade @ No Longer 25´s last [type] ..Do you want to be Average
[Reply]
When we’re in the States, I do buy some organic things but not all. My husband needs a gluten-free diet, so a lot of what gets put into our dishes are more natural. I’d like to switch us all over to the diet, but it’s too hard over here where they even label water bottles “without GMO.”
Tara G.´s last [type] ..In The Blink of An Eye
[Reply]
I received a beautiful pottery casserole for Christmas and I’m going to initiate it with this recipe.
We too have a garden and I try to shop the local farmers markets but don’t always go organic. I do try to buy things in season that haven’t been shipped half way around the world tho.
Darla
Darla´s last [type] ..Inspiration Avenue Challenge – 1-14-11
[Reply]
I would love to be a healthy cook but working full-time and trying to manage a household lends to meals that are quickly and easily prepared and cleaned up. Cost factors in too. My oldest son is 17 and even keeping food in the house is a challenge! Thanks for sharing the recipe and for the chance to win this lovely cookbook!
[Reply]
Kirstin Reply:
January 17th, 2011 at 10:11 am
Just last week as I was cooking and wondered how women who work full time can make time to cook healthier meals, since much of it depends on having “time” to prepare them. My hats off to you for trying. I have found a few thing that are quicker to prepare and still healthy. I list several recipes on my blog. Some are “healthy” some are not, just very good! LOL I also agree that sometimes having older kids in the house keeping food available is tough and expensive! Sheesh. I can only buy what I’m able to buy with what $$ I have.
Kirstin´s last [type] ..Recipe- Semi-quick Chicken and Quinoa
[Reply]
I buy mostly organic fruits and vegetables, and we belong to a CSA farm for the six months of the year that food can be grown in our area. My parents always ate this way, and they’re in their 80s and extremely healthy, so I’m convinced it does make a difference. (Though I live in Boston now, I grew up in Medford, by the way!) Thanks for the opportunity to have this beautiful cookbook!
[Reply]
What a great giveaway! I have been trying to eat whole/clean for about 9 months now. I’m not completely switched over (I still have a few vices), but overall I eat a lot differently than most other people I know.
I love the way I feel when I eat whole foods, and as an added perk, I eat typically “fattening” foods while maintaining my weight because I don’t do the mindless snacking that I used to. It’s easy to get in a rut, though, because a lot of my previous recipes don’t fit the bill anymore. This book would be perfect!
Jessica @ This Blessed Life´s last [type] ..Deals and Steals this Weekend!
[Reply]
Kirstin Reply:
January 17th, 2011 at 10:13 am
I’m beginning to read Tosca Reno’s Eat Clean Books and implementing more of that into our lives
Kirstin´s last [type] ..Recipe- Semi-quick Chicken and Quinoa
[Reply]
I’m doing my best to switch over. Affording it is my problem. So we plant a veggie garden which gets bigger every year and is a fantastic family hobby! And I’m looking into buying from local farmers for what we aren’t growing ourselves! Would love a copy of this cookbook!
Suzie´s last [type] ..Pondering Prayer
[Reply]
We just made a huge healthy switch this January but I have not completely gone organic — mainly due to the cost and deciding whether it’s truly worth the added expense. I’m sure this cookbook would inspire and inform me!
[Reply]
We eat organic in the spring and summer because we grow some of our herbs and veggies and we do most of our produce shopping at the farmer’s markets. It is not as easy in the winter to get organic produce but I buy what I can.
[Reply]
We try to eat healthy, buying organic whenever feasible. I feel like we do really well at times, then really bad at other times too. I don’t buy a lot of processed foods. My personal goal is 90% healthy. I feel like it is such a challenge to make our diet healthy most of the time. I would love to win the cookbook!
[Reply]
I try to cook healthy but I don’t alway succeed.
I am going to try this recipe and I love cookbooks!
[Reply]
I really want to strive to cook more healthy and organically. I am a breast cancer survivor and I know the impact of chemicals plays a significant risk to our health. Thanks for sharing this book and the recipe. I think I will try it!
[Reply]
One of my goals for the year is to cook and eat healthier. (I recently purged my pantry and am trying to restock with organic, wholesome food. Thanks for the recipe. It looks great.
[Reply]
We live in a town small enough to have a limited selection at our grocery store (Walmart has the best in town) but we don’t have a farmers’ market like you might expect to see, so homegrown things are hard to get…I keep having ideas that we might grow a garden some time… we had good luck with cucumbers and squash last summer, so I guess that’s a start!
[Reply]
Ideally, I would eat all organic but, we don’t. We do eat very healthfully, lots of fruits, veggies, whole grains but, budget does not allow for organic right now. It can be frustrating because If I choose to go all organic then I would get less produce than what I normally do because of the price. I struggle with what would be better, less organic produce or more conventional. I know I’m not the only one.
Thanks for the chance to win this book- it looks awesome!
Gina´s last [type] ..Review and Giveaway- In the Kitchen- Real Food Basics
[Reply]
We have a beautiful bountiful farmers market in the summer that we try to get to every week. I wish we could have a great big garden, but we have way too many hungry critters in our area. We’ve yet to purposefully seek out only organic at the grocery store. The budget is always a factor.
[Reply]
I would definitely call myself a healthy cook, but I haven’t switched over to all organic. most of my meat and dairy is organic, but I have a hard time finding good quality organic in my grocery stores…and the price of the produce isn’t always great either. I look for sales and buy them when I can. I love organic carrots, can totally taste the difference. My goal is to grow more of my own this year, I keep trying every year, still a work in progress.
Would love to get my hands on this book!!
Aggie´s last [type] ..Bal Arneson’s Indian-Thai Fusion Shrimp
[Reply]
I am working on switching over to cooking whole foods, using organic when I can find it. We live in a small town. Would love to win this book!
[Reply]
our family eats some organic foods (dairy, chicken, some fruits) and we try our hardest to eat whole foods, but we can always be better. My New Year’s resolution is to try to eat as much of a plant-based diet as possible. Carrie’s book can help me do that!
[Reply]
I tweeted about this! mommyp4
Angie P´s last [type] ..365-17
[Reply]
We have been gradually making the switch . . . following the example of our adult daughters. Just found whole organic chickens at Costco for a reasonable price. We buy organic milk. Usually it is the price difference that keeps me from buying organic. Dumb, I know.
The books looks wonderful.
Fondly,
Glenda
Glenda Childers´s last [type] ..50 things to do this winter while we await spring
[Reply]
Yes, I think about changing over, but not sure if my husband would go along with it.
This carrot recipe sounds really good though.
[Reply]
I’d like to switch more to organic, but I have trouble justifying the price. Maybe I just need to do more research.
[Reply]
Part of me would love to be organic, but being on a limited budget hinders that process. Living in the city hinders it a little also. I know it would be healthier, but having the limitations makes it hard.
[Reply]
I also shared this on facebook.
[Reply]
We eat healthy, just not organic. We finally got an organic grocery store in our town and that might help the matter of switching along, but the cost factor certainly weighs in on the outcome. When we lived in the country we grew our own vegetables always. But now that we are older and live in town, it’s not only a time challenge (we both work), a space challenge (lack of space in the yard) and even if we could, neither of us is willing to invest the effort (this is the honest truth). So I do try to buy some things organic and really wash the rest! As far as meat goes, we do organic there, simply because I don’t want to have the hormones. But you do know they put a color wash on that beef too in the grocery store, don’t you?
marlis´s last [type] ..A mothers love
[Reply]
I’m a fairly healthy cook — I’m a believer in using organic ingredients. Would love to win her cookbook!
[Reply]
I tweeted, too!
[Reply]
I would say that we eat about 95% healthy. I would say it’s that % because when I go out to eat I enjoy “splurging” on a burger or something else. But for the most part we try to choose healthier choices, and at home we use as little processed ingredients as possible. We avoid pop and don’t often have juice, but when we do it’s 100% juice. If I do use canned foods, which I tend to used beans, tomatoe sauce, tuna, etc…I try to make the best selections. I probably don’t do much organic because it’s so expensive, but I stick with whole grains, cane sugar, etc….very few casseroles, sugary cereals etc…I’m always on the hunt for healthier ways to make things and love trying recipes that don’t use dairy or eggs. I also don’t have a problem making my yummy 4 cheese fettucini or clam chowder on occasion, or creamy wild rice soup. I feel like moderation is important. My hubby would go completely vegetarian or vegan, but I’m not quite that willing….it can definitely cause contention at times (C: I also do my own garden which makes having fresh vegetables more regularly much easier.
[Reply]
I wish we could go all organic but it is not inthe budget right now. We do try to buy local produce from the farmer’s market but it doesn’t happen in the winter. We buy local grass fed beef and wold like to buy local chicken. We eat as healthy as we can without being too crazy about it!
[Reply]
I shared on FB
Kirstin´s last [type] ..Recipe- Semi-quick Chicken and Quinoa
[Reply]
I just posted about it on my blog
Kirstin´s last [type] ..Recipe- Semi-quick Chicken and Quinoa
[Reply]
Sometimes laziness is my excuse, and the fact that most of the foods needed aren’t local but must be brought from 35-40 miles away. That’s no excuse! The book sounds marvelous and so does the recipe you shared. Thanks!
[Reply]
Trying. We are lucky to live in Southern Oregon, there are so ways to buy local from your local farmer. We are raising chickens & grass fed beef & my neighbor shares her vegetable garden with us, love the butternut squash. Whistling Duck farm stand is just down the road, so most of my produce comes from them & they are expanding & bringing in more organic food vendors. I grow lavender & have culinary lavender that can enhance and add flavor to many recipes.
[Reply]
I’m a semi-healthy cook. I’ve been slowly switching out the bad for the good. I’m hoping to make more progress this year. Thanks for the giveaway!
[Reply]
Not a very healthy cook.
[Reply]
as a new widow i’m having a difficult time just cooking much less cooking healthy. I’m hoping that i will start cooking more healthy when i get back to cooking. it’s difficult to cook for one person. thank you for a chance to win this lovely book, what a good way to kick myself into gear.
[Reply]
We are slowly but surely eating better quality foods. I am still learning. Now that it is winter here the quality of produce is not so great. In the summer and fall we take good advantage of all of it.
[Reply]
We’d like to do more organic, but financial it is hard for us. My husband is considering a garden next year, which could be a lot of fun.
[Reply]
I really want to eat heathier. We raise our own vegetables and meat, but finding what to make with frozen veggies isn’t always easy and gets boring after awhile. Vegetable prices at the market in the winter are horrible.
[Reply]
I wish I could switch. Mostly its a budget thing right now
Rachel´s last [type] ..Spicy Meatloaf
[Reply]
I enjoy eating healthy and we do eat fairly healthier, but I want to eat more organic. Right now what is stopping us is price, we are on a tight budget and buying organic is more expensive, but we are slowly making the switch.
[Reply]
I wish we could go all organic but right now it is an affordability issue, especially with two boys, 16 and 17. We buy local produce from the farmer’s market during that short lived season here in Wisconsin. I try to serve meals that are healthy without being too crazy about it!
Thank you for sharing the recipe and the opportunity to win Carrie’s book.
[Reply]
I am trying to be a healthy cook. also try to eat organic as I can afford it and grow my own in the summer.
[Reply]
I started eating better and switching our food and house products over to organic/natural for the last six years. We aren’t totally where I want us to be, but we are far from where we were. I feel better and happy to raise my children in a more natural environment.
Sounds like a great book.
courtney´s last [type] ..Tuckered Out!
[Reply]
I definately like the idea of cooking more organically, but I am afraid it is bland and boring. I like cheese and butter too much…..is that organic? I obviously need to read more of your blog because those carrots look delish!!!
[Reply]
I am trying to eat healthier but I am no where near close to making the switch fully. Partly because I have a long commute so it is hard to prepare and bring healthy food to work and also because I need more recipes that offer me healthier options.
Elizabeth S.´s last [type] ..Annual Quilt Retreat
[Reply]
We’ve been making slow and steady progress for a few years to healthier. My brother is a Naturopath Doctor so he has helped us figure out what is really important to buy organic and what we can do without the big price tag of organic where we live. We’re in our 50′s and my blood work just keeps getting happier and happier. After 28 years of marriage I am SO BORED with the same old foods so I LOVE to find new recipes.
pam´s last [type] ..Maybe Im going too fast
[Reply]
My husband and I are on day 16 of a 21 day cleanse. The idea behind the whole thing is to rid your body of toxins– clearing your brain, feeling physically and mentally better (in a wide variety of ways) and promoting weight loss. I’m happy to say that we are feeling much better (especially after the glutton that was the holiday season), I’ve lost close to 10 pounds, my mind is clearer. We are eating organic produce and meats, we’ve cut dairy, eggs and most carbs out of our diet. I can honestly say, even when the cleanse is over, we’ll incorporate many of the new habits we’ve formed into our regular diet–especially eating organically. This cookbook would be especially timely right now!
[Reply]
Always looking at our diets and finding ways to make it healthier…..we don’t eat many processed foods at all these days, but would love to be able to eat more organic.
Souffle – have never eaten it – but on my list of things to try and make one day soon! FUN food!!
Fiona´s last [type] ..Let’s get practical for a minute here…
[Reply]
Healthier the better at our house. I’m always on the hunt for changing things up a notch. We eat at home as much as possible for starters and adjust the ingredients in ol’ stand by recipes.
I just like knowing what’s in our meals.
[Reply]
I’ve been working for the past two years to rid our diets of overly processed foods and add in more whole foods. We’ve been making this change very slowly in order to firmly establish good eating habits.
[Reply]
I also shared this book on facebook. I’ve had several friends asked me where to find tasty organic recipes.
[Reply]
Try to be a healthy cook for my family, nourishing growing little ones and establishing good eating habits. Use as much whole, organic foods as I can fit into a modest budget. Always seeking inspiration in the kitchen. Thanks.
[Reply]
That carrot souffle does look amazing! I am so happy to finally have this book & we all need to get together again really soon! xo
[Reply]
I’m a half ‘n’ halfer – using about half organic foods and half that are not. It’s the best way I’ve found to have organic, but cut the cost.
[Reply]
I love to cook healthy so that I am doing the best for my family! I buy as much organic as I can find. I would say that the cost is worth it, to avoid the possible diseases of our time.
[Reply]
My goal for 2011 is actually to cook more delicious healthy meals for my family. Having said that, it’s been challenging trying to find healthier meals that my boys like
I would REALLY like this cookbook so that I can continue to be inspired to stick with not only cooking healthier but the benefits of choosing organic too!
[Reply]
Yes! I would love to – I know it would be best. What stops me? Money – or lack there of… with 7 children still in the house, buying organic is really tough. I’d love to garden, but our well doesn’t provide enough water besides what we use in the house. I do what I can and let God take care of the rest. Someday…
[Reply]
I’m a half-way healthy cook. I’m slowly making my way over.
BTW, my family loves carrot souffle! My daughter got her recipe at Thanksgiving from another missionary while in Mongolia, as there were no sweet potatoes in the whole country. It was such a hit that we all now make it for Thanksgiving instead of sweet potatoes! And you’re right, it could easily be served as dessert!
Lady Dorothy´s last [type] ..Winter Manifesto
[Reply]
I am a fairly healthy cook…at least healthier than most people around me. I always cook from scratch, make whatever is in season, avoid unsaturated fats and excessive sugar, I buy organic as much as possible…
The one thing that stops me from cooking completely organic is that it’s quite difficult to find many ingredients here. Usually only organic fruit and vegetables are available in regular markets, if I want to buy flour, bread, free range eggs etc I need to search and pay a lot.
[Reply]
I do as much cooking as I can with whole foods. I know it is important for our health, but some old habbits and favorite recipes are hard to let go of. I’m working to slowly change those recipes or find suitable substitutions. I’m happy to learn of her site and have now put it in my favorites for regular reading. Thanks for sharing.
[Reply]
I would like to make the switch to organic foods; haven’t done it yet but it is something I have been seriously considering for a while.
[Reply]
I consider myself a healthy cook. I don’t buy everything organic because of the price. I use the Dirty Dozen Clean Fifteen as a guideline. I always purchase organic if it’s on the dirty dozen list. I also have a Wildtree business which allows me to teach others how to eat healthy and make delicious quick and easy meals. My family loves all the products and I love that they are healthy, taste great and best of all easy to prepare: http://www.debraschramm.mywildtree.com. Deliciously Organic is actually on my Amazon wishlist. If I don’t win a copy maybe I’ll get it for my birthday.
[Reply]
I wish we could do better, and I’m really trying hard. The main difficulties for me are: 1. Lack of recipes and knowledge, especially when it comes to whole grains; 2. The need to go to different stores to get ingredients. I have two children under three and I must confess that I think about every outing a lot before actually setting out of my house, but I know the worth of having my girls grow up with healthy food habits. My solution is trying to come up with a schedule, shopping at one store each day of the week, and figuring out how to plan better, so we don’t have to settle for convenience or fast food.
LC´s last [type] ..Gifts for grandparents- Ornaments
[Reply]
I eat organic, whole foods about 90% of the time. Like a lot of people said here, you do what you can and try to make the best food decisions within financial reason. I bring my own homemade breakfast and lunch to work, and cook every night at home. I have eliminated most processed foods from my diet, and only have them on occasion when eating socially. My body and mind thank me for it!
[Reply]
We too have our own garden in the summer and fall. My goal this year is to can some of the items we grow so we CAN really enjoy our garden all year long. I am trying to ween myself off of sugar, fats and salt so having a book that cooks organically is great. I am trying to go glutton free and less dairy too. I was told recently from a result of an MRI that I have spots on my brain…..I saw them, it’s not just one. They say I have inflammation in the blood vessels cause by the spots so they have to figure out the spots. Next stop neurologist. So this book comes at a good time for me so that I can provide healthy recipes not only for myself but encourage my family also to eat this way.
Thanks Sandy and yes I WILL see you at BLISSDOM.
Barbara Collins†´s last [type] ..It Takes a Village
[Reply]
I do enjoy cooking and eating healthy. I’ve had a garden for years and every year I try and plant one “weird” thing just to try it. It’s amazing the wider variety of foods you can get with your own garden. I’m blessed to live in the city, too, which means I have easy access to CSA’s, health food stores, and whole food retailers. The carrot souffle sounds yummy – I LOVE turning veggies into dessert!
Jill´s last [type] ..Clogged Sink
[Reply]
Oh how I’d like to think that I’ve jumped in. But, let’s face it…it does cost more…and sometimes the ingredients aren’t in season or available organically. And when we entertain….I blow it off for cost and other considerations. I don’t have many great, truly healthful recipes….and it might just be the ticket I need to stay in the deep healthy water.
And oh how I wish that I hadn’t had the “weed man” come and pour chemicals on my yard to get rid of that pesky creeping ivy (which came back after 2 summers of no chemicals anyway). I can’t garden with veggies now…
Thanks for the change to win!!!
[Reply]
I am known to always have some homemade sweets on the counter, but I do make a point to incorporate a variety of healthy foods in our meals every day. I used to make a carrot souffle many years ago, and am now wondering what ever happened to that recipe! Carrie’s sounds delicious, and I will definitely look up her new book. Thanks!
Brenda @ a farmgirl’s dabbles´s last [type] ..Annmarie’s Hot Chocolate
[Reply]
We try to buy organic or fresh, local ingredients as often as possible – its certainly has gotten easier and we’ve come a long way – leaning into it and learning what to splurge on has helped us stick to it! Thanks for your blog and this giveaway!! K
[Reply]
One of my new years resolutions is to eat healthier food, including whole and organic. The only thing that’s stopped me so far is the prices, and breaking our old habits. I think once we start, we’ll be hooked and never go back.
Emily´s last [type] ..DaySpring Giveaway!
[Reply]
We eat a lot of organic food – but not all. Ideally, we would raise/grow most of our own organic food as we enjoy that part too. It’s a lot of work, but there is nothing like going out to the garden to get your supper.
[Reply]
My strategy is to constantly take baby steps in eating more organic & whole foods and fewer processed foods. I feel I have made good progress over the last year, but I still have a lot to learn. This book looks like it would be a nice guide!
[Reply]
I’m a pretty healthy cook, but there’s always room for improvement.
This looks like a great book!
[Reply]
I cook from scratch every night. (It was my New Year’s resolution for last year, and now I almost never want to go out – yay!). Organic meat and milk, and some veggies and fruits. Not all though…. we go through at least one gallon of milk a day and at $6, I can’t afford to go fully organic.
It helps that any sweets we eat are made from scratch, though!
Melissa D´s last [type] ..Working- working- working
[Reply]
I think I’m a very healthy cook although we don’t eat only organic or whole food. I’m stopped by the price. We have five kids and I try to shop very frugally while still maintaining a very healthy meal schedule.
Randi´s last [type] ..Bubble Baths
[Reply]