Homemade Orange Julius Smoothie

Courtesy of Colour Palate
 http://www.colourfulpalate.com/2011/07/27/healthy-vegan-orange-julius/#more-1086
Originally this recipe called for orange juice concentrate but I opted to juice my own oranges seeing as I had quite an abundance of them.

1 cup almond milk
3 ice cubes
honey
cinnamon
nutmeg
1 orange
*Optional
2 raw almonds
coconut flakes

Using a juicer, I made orange juice with the orange. Then I added the pulp to the juice, being careful to remove the pulp that was filled with pith. I added the remaining ingredients to the blender to create a milky, orange smoothie. It was not as thick as I so desired so I covered it with plastic wrap to harden in the freezer. I grated 2 almonds to create a coconut/almond garnish. This makes for an excellent dessert for a raw dieter!

Cauliflower Two Ways

Raw Mashed Cauliflower (Substitute for Mashed Potatoes)
Courtesy of Kimberly Snyder
http://www.kimberlysnyder.net/blog/2010/02/21/raw-cauliflower-mashed-potatoes/

Modified for 1 serving

1.5 cup chopped small cauliflower florets
tblspoon olive oil
sea salt to taste
pepper to taste
dash of onion powder
sprinkle of rosemary
sprinkle of parsley flakes

Blend til smooth.

My boyfriend absolutely hates raw cauliflower. In fact, he despises this vegetable. Calls it the poopy version of broccoli.  The only other time that he will eat cauliflower is when I use it in an Indian Cauliflower Soup.  He tasted this raw cauliflower mixture and claimed it was pretty good!! It does  uncannily taste, look and feel like mashed potatoes. There is a slight cauliflower finish but it isn't as aggressive as when you bite into a raw cauliflower floret. Overall, I suggest that any non-cauliflower believer will find themselves liking this so hated vegetable in this raw recipe, the Indian cauliflower soup and roasted.


Roasted Spicy Cauliflower
Courtesy of Kirsten's My German Kitchen
http://www.mygermankitchen.com/2011/01/spicy-cauliflower-pasta-with-garlic.html

I modified this recipe according to a former co-worker's suggestions, who used to serve this dish in a restaurant. I only made enough for a single serving and I didn't measure anything.

chopped cauliflower florets
olive oil
sea salt
black pepper
chopped anchovies or anchovy paste
red pepper flakes or dried red chili peppers with seeds

Preheat the conventional oven to 400 degrees. Place chopped cauliflower florets in a zip-lock bag and add olive oil, anchovies, and red chili pepper. Shake and coat the cauliflower in mixture. Place on aluminum covered baking sheet. Roast for about 20 minutes. When using anchovy paste or anchovies, you do not need much as a little goes a long way. If you do not like anchovies, have no fear, as you cannot taste them once the cauliflower has cooked.

After I roasted the cauliflower, I decided to add it into an ad-hoc mac and cheese that I was making for myself. I used a box of Annie's white cheddar shells, added some preshredded Monterrey jack and cheddar cheese, a dash of Parmesan cheese, a tablespoon of butter, a little bit of almond milk, blanched broccoli and mushrooms. I also added red chili pepper flakes, and some onion salt to taste. The cauliflower was delicious in this creamy pasta! Next time I will try a recipe that uses cauliflower as a substitute for the macaroni in a mac and cheese recipe.

Raw Chocolate Sauce

We're celebrating a birthday in the house today so I figured I'd make something extra special for my boyfriend, whose been on a raw diet. It takes hardly any time and it tastes like a nice dark chocolate sauce!

Courtesy of Annie

http://www.adventuresinrawfood.com/deep-dark-delicious-raw-chocolate-sauce

Recipe as shown on website

2 T raw cacao powder, either ground from raw cacao nibs or purchased as powder

2 T raw agave syrup*

1/2 t coconut oil or other organic raw nut oil OR 1/2 t filtered water*

*I used honey instead of agave syrup and vanilla almond milk instead of the oil or water. I also increased the amount of liquid for the milk to a teaspoon for a creamy chocolate sauce. I also added a half teaspoon of cardamom powder for a little depth and a sprinkle of sea salt. I recommend experimenting with different flavors. Try using coconut oil or milk for a different flavor or maybe add a dash of cayenne or chili pepper to make it a spicy chocolate sauce. It is delicious!! I had a hard time resisting  this myself, despite not being on a raw diet!

This post was created on 10/2/2011.

Raw Kale Avocado Soup

Kale Avocado Soup 
Courtesy of Dr. Sachen Patel  
http://drpatelsdiet.com/2011/02/13/raw-asian-ginger-soup-vegan-and-gluten-free/

1/2 an Avocado
2 tsp ginger root
1 – 2 cloves of garlic
2 cups of turnip greens (can also use kale or collard greens)
1 medium sized cucumber
1/2 tsp tumeric
1.5 cups of hot water
juice of 1 lime
Cilantro to taste
Add the contents to your blender. Add chopped cilantro on top.
Dr. Patel claims that this soup will clear your sinuses and will promote regularity.


This recipe was earthy and a bit too watery for our taste. I added another half of an avocado, a dash of tamari soy sauce and a few slices of jalapeno pepper to add flavor. It was a very green and light tasting soup, which I served alongside a main dish of raw Asian marinated mushrooms.

Coriander Avocado Soup

Courtesy of Russell James, the Raw Chef
http://therawchef.com/therawchefblog/raw-food-recipe-avocado-lime-soup

Recipe as shown on the Raw Chef website:

2 avocados
3/4 of a medium cucumber
1 stalk celery
Juice of 1 lime
Small handful of fresh coriander (cilantro)
2 teaspoons cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon tamari
1 cup water (if wanting warm soup use hot water)

Sour cream and chopped chives to garnish

- Blend all ingredients, except the sour cream and chopped chives in a high-speed blender until smooth.

- Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with sour cream and chopped chives.

Sour cream

1 1/2 cups cashews
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1 cup water
1/2 teaspoon salt

- Blend all ingredients in a high-speed blender. Add a little extra water one tablespoon at a time if you’re having trouble getting the cashews smooth.

The flavor was subtle and smooth. I added a little bit of cayenne, but it didn't make much of a difference. Either way, this soup is perfect on its own without any alterations. My boyfriend claimed that the sour cream actually was very similar to the real thing.

Raw Marinated Asian Style Mushrooms

Raw Marinated Asian Style Mushrooms
Courtesy of Gone Raw
http://goneraw.com/recipe/asian-inspired-marinated-portebello-mushroom-steak

Here is the recipe as shown on the Gone Raw website.

4 large sliced portabello mushrooms 

2 Tablespoons of Sesame oil

2 Tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinager

1-2 cloves of garlic

1 Tablespoon of chopped ginger

1-2 Tablespoons of tamari or braggs

2 Tablespoons of raw, unhulled sesame seeds

Place into a mixing bowl and add all the ingredients then gently massage the mushrooms until they are evenly covered. Put into the fridge and allow to marinate for 2 hours or more. The longer you leave them the more the flavours will soak into the mushrooms. 

These made for a great raw substitute for stir fry. I served them over cauliflower rice. I would happily eat this over a salad or as a side whether or not I was on a raw diet. 

Cauliflower Rice
Food process cauliflower florets until resembles a grainy mixture. You may season it however you wish. I chose to use Borsari Seasoned Sea salt, a few leaves from my thai basil plant, parsley flakes and onion salt.