One all time favorite is chevre stuffed apricots as an antipasto. Since this busy-bee does not indulge in animal cheese like this but once or twice a year, I decided to create a cashew chevre to stuff them with. It still has the smooth texture and tanginess that we all crave in an artisan chevre, but is made with raw cashews instead.The one surprising flavor that is in this recipe is lavender. It is soft and delicate but adds a uniqueness to this dish.
Mushroom Medley Scape Soup
Oh garlic scape, where have you been all my life?!?! I can’t believe I have never heard of them before– let alone never tried them until today… The flavor is of a soft, velvety garlic with a hint of green… hope this computes with you because this is what I describe it as. It still has a very slight bite of garlic but then it mellows out to velvet… picture it? When I saw these I squealed with glee (to myself of course) and then I was on a mission. My mission was to try to create a dish that would highlight a flavor that I did not know about. Lucky for me (and you) the market also had an abundance of exotic mushrooms too. I can’t think of a more perfect marriage of flavors than mushrooms and garlic!
So -going on my gut feeling that this is a match made in culinary heaven, I bought a variety of mushrooms and the scapes to create my MUSHROOM MEDLEY SCAPE SOUP. Not to brag but I was right!
Pink Oyster Mushroom Rolls
SUSHI, I believe that sushi can be an opportunity for everyone to get creative. Yes- most people believe that sushi consists of raw fish and rice…nope- I beg to differ! Sushi should be looked at as “cut up ingredients all wrapped up in nori (seaweed sheets)”! I also think that is an opportunity to get your veggies in. Today I went to the farmers market and was faced with the sea of organic fruits and veggies. The one thing that stood out, besides the tip-of-my-thumb sized organic blueberries that I bought, was a vendor that had pink organic oyster mushrooms.
AMAZING–I have never seen PINK oyster mushrooms! Apparently they taste the same as white oyster mushrooms but are a vibrant pink hue… very curious and beautiful! Instead of searing them or marinating them like most do, I decided to make a raw dish– hence the PINK OYSTER MUSHROOM ROLL was born.
Strawberry Lime Cheesecake Stacks
Now that strawberries are coming into season; celebrate their arrival with STRAWBERRY LIME CHEESECAKE STACKS. This dessert is not only beautiful to look at but it will nourish your body and make your taste buds sing!
Banana Bon Bons
Raise your hand if you remember BON BONS? Yes, the little chunks of ice cream covered in chocolate that you just popped in your mouth. There was just something about them that made you feel like royalty when you indulged in them. In fact most of us think that royalty just “lay around eating bon bons”… Was it the rich creamy ice cream? Was it the decadent chocolate that they were dipped in? Was it the fact that they were the perfect way to BLOW YOUR DIET? What ever it was, I had my fair share of them in my days past. Now that I do not indulge in any of the conventional ingredients that traditional bon bons are made of, how am I to feel like royalty again? I can regain that feeling without all the stuff I don’t want by making my recipe for BANANA BON BONS. Yes.. they are still frozen treats. YES.. they have a creamy and dreamy center.
OH YES.. they are covered in decadent chocolate! Since they have ALL of the bon bons beloved components, what is missing? Well these little guys are missing the cholesterol, dairy, refined sugar, trans-fat, preservatives, emulsifiers, and highly processed artificial ingredients that the commercially produced bon bon have. I am sorry that I had to just ruin the fantasy of the other bon bons but wait….. Here is what this recipe has–Banana, coconut oil, date syrup, cacao and shredded coconut; and they are raw vegan paleo. You can definitely feel good about those ingredients and that they conform to a healthy lifestyle! AND again, the creamy dreamy chocolate covered frozen treat that TASTES AMAZING! So even though we crave bon bons, we can ALL indulge in BANANA BON BONS and feel like royalty again! BON BON APPETIT!
Aunty P’s Kale Salad
Have you heard? KALE is the latest buzz in nutrition for 2014. This simple salad is kale, lemon, avocado and ginger based. Don’t let the simple ingredients list fool you, this powerhouse salad will give you all that you need… SO Don’t be out of style, check out AUNTY P’S KALE SALAD and see what all the rage is about!
Chili Garlic Paste
The number one killer of our path to eating healthy is boredom of the same food and flavors day after day. I try to mix it up and keep different spices and condiments like my raw CHILI GARLIC PASTE around. Chili garlic paste is a spicy addition to any dish like soup, pasta sauce, smoothies or add it to CASHEW CHEESE for an extra kick.
I structured this recipe as a small batch so that you will always have fresh chili garlic paste. Even though it has vinegar in it and it is refrigerated, it still will only keep for about two weeks because of lack of preservatives. Enjoy!
Black Cherry Tomato Poppers
Eating cherry tomatoes may offer particular benefits for men. Lycopene, a compound found in tomatoes, can impact prostate health. Any recipe that has the word “poppers” in it means you are going to have a flavor explosion! Well these BLACK CHERRY TOMATO POPPERS are just that!
Basil Wrapped Stuffed Mushrooms
These basil wrapped stuffed mushrooms are great appetizer or antipasto for raw foodies and others alike. They are raw, vegan, and gluten free yet bursting with flavor. Serve up these healthy bites at your next meal or party. Enjoy!
Double Lemon Bar Sorbet Tarts
One of my favorite winter fruits is LEMONS!! Not only do I love the taste of lemons, I love that it is one of those ingredients that can be used in either sweet or savory dishes. Most of the time I like the savory side of life. Sometimes I like the sweet side too. With these DOUBLE LEMON BAR SORBET TARTS, I get to enjoy both!
Chocolate Smothered Coconut Ice Cream
Coconut meat appears to protect against heart disease and stroke as well. As it turns out, coconut meat’s measurable vitamins A and E, and polyphenols and phytosterols, all work together to decrease the levels of LDL cholesterol, which are fats that stay in the blood and in skin tissues and high levels of which have been found a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.
“CHOCOLATE SMOTHERED COCONUT ICE CREAM” pretty much says it… except that this treat is raw, healthy and heck yeah- it tastes as amazing as it looks!
Pina Colada Bars
Aside from the interesting story of pineapples and appearance of this fruit, their health and medicinal benefits include their ability to improve respiratory health, cure coughs and colds, improve digestion, help you lose weight, strengthen bones, improve oral health, boost eye health, reduce inflammation, prevent cancer, increase heart health, fight off infections and parasites, improve the immune system, and increase circulation.
Whisk your self away to the tropics with these Pina Colada Bars… Do not fret they are HEALTHY no matter how naughty they look and taste!
Sesame Macaroon Bites
Sesame seeds are an excellent source of copper, a very good source of manganese, and a good source of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc, molybdenum, Vitamin B1, selenium, and dietary fiber. Arm yourself this holiday season with healthy snacks like Sesame Macaroon Bites and leave the “holiday weight gain” to everyone else!
Berry Cheese Cake Tarts
Quinoa is naturally gluten-free and contains iron, B-vitamins, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, vitamin E and fiber. It is one of only a few plant foods that are considered a complete protein and comprised of all pernine essential amino acids. Yummy Cheese Cake Tart that is 100% HEALTHY! Yes take a second look…HEALTHY!
Banana Almond Nutmeg Smoothie
Almond milk is made from ground almonds and is lower in calories than other milks, it’s also free of cholesterol, saturated fat, and is naturally lactose free. This rustic and simple smoothie will start your morning just right! Have a healthy smoothie to keep you energized!
