Wednesday, March 13, 2013

The Superbowl, Daytona 500, and World Series of Raw Food


The Raw Living Expo is the Daytona 500, Superbowl, World Series and all those other huge events, for people who believe and live a raw food lifestyle. I got my ticket in October and was looking forward to the event with great anticipation.

In Oklahoma there is not a huge population of raw foodies so the opportunity to be educated, energized and motivated by like minded people was something I really longed for. Plus it was a get away with my husband, a first trip to Sedona, and I wanted to be part of the whole event. I knew I would come back with some key ingredients to make a difference in my life.

But this trip was not meant to be. On the Monday prior to leaving I came down with the respiratory bug that everyone seems to be getting this year. I never get sick, and this was just devastating timing. In addition to that, some creep depleted my bank account. It was horribly in the hole, and my banker said, "Oh don't worry, it happens all the time. We will take care of it." How sad that statement is! It takes money to go on a trip, that I had been saving since October, and it was gone, and unlikely to be resolved in time for the trip. So, the trip was off. It was all out of my control so I just had to give in to it.

When I wasn't resting, blowing my nose, or wiping my runny eyes, I had some kitchen time.

So I made Kale Chips and Spicy Cheese Broccoli Nibblers using Nouveau Raw's recipe. She has some great ones! It was good to have some snacks!





















Chocolate Chia Crackers. And I cannot remember where I got the recipe, maybe from Raw Food Rehab?? If you are into raw food and have not become a member of Raw Food Rehab, do it now! It is an amazing online community. Go to www.rawfoodrehab.com and sign up now! Yes, now!



















From my Raw Reflections and Recipes book I made a batch of chocolate and blond macaroons. My husband loves the chocolate ones and I like the blond ones, so we each almost get our own stash!!


















I pulled out an ebook I recently bought that I hadn't had time to make much from, and went wild! The ebook, Gettin' Raw by Rawdawg Rory is great. It has some recipes I hadn't seen elsewhere, so that, along with my ebook junkie addiction, is what prompted me to buy it. Plus it was on sale for nine bucks! Worth every penny!

I made Fajitas and Guacamole. The left over fajitas were great stuffed into a collard wrap using the guacamole as a spread, to top off a salad,  and even to just eat all by themselves! His guac recipe is great too!



















BBQ Portabella Burger . . . well, I sliced mine and made a wrap out of it! I love the BBQ sauce in this recipe. I did, however, add some agave to make it a bit sweeter. In the days of eating SAD (standard american diet) the only reason I ate BBQ was for the sauce!!!



















Almond milk. I love it when I take the time to make my own almond milk. This was made for more than the milk though.  I needed it and almond pulp,



so I could make this amazing pie, Chocolate Ganache. OMG we sure liked this! I blended raspberries with agave, or maybe honey, not sure now, and then strained it through my nut bag to get all the seeds out. It was a perfect sauce. The chocolate to this pie reminded me more of a milk chocolate, rather than the dark chocolate taste that seems to dominate most of my recipes. It was a nice change.




















I also looked out the window alot while I was re-cooperating. We had some snow one day that was quite pretty. There is something about nature that is so relaxing. In our back yard there is always something going on to watch, from the birds, to ducks and geese on the lake, to even the crazy squirrels.





















I watched the Raw Living Expo on TV while I laid around or played in the kitchen. It was streamed live so I just connected my computer to the TV and I was all set. I had the opportunity to listen to some really interesting speakers. So even though I was not there, I did get to see some of it.

My stolen money was all replaced in my bank account. It took nine business days though.

I have a full credit for my flight on Southwest Airlines.

And I got well.

As the saying goes, "all's well that ends well!"

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Life without a pizza oven!

Remember this picture?


Well, life at the Kitchen sure has changed since this pizza oven and old floor vanished!

Look at this space a few days after the vanishing act! New floor, new paint, and a new set-up.


So much re-arranging and organizing took place. Almost anything that could move, moved to a new home in the kitchen.

This is one of my favorite ideas that happened in the kitchen. A "closet!" Even the "closet doors" match the existing curtains.


It continued to change over a short period of time, and is now the best functioning raw food restaurant in the state of Oklahoma! If you didn't see the post, "What does a raw food restaurant to with a pizza oven?" click on the title to check it out.

Now the hands-on classes can take place in the kitchen. The first class was a cheese class that I heard was amazing. I didn't get to go so I don't have any pictures to show you, but plan on seeing future kitchen classes in other posts.

What I can show you are pictures from Dinner and Movie Night. Extraordinary food came out of this kitchen and delighted many. Denise is a such a talented gifted chef. 

OK.
Get ready.
Here comes dinner!

The menu and table decorations.


The table is set.


The appetizer: cheese and bread.
Horseradish and cheddar cheese. Can you believe it. There's no dairy!

 

 And the bread. Garlic Bread. This is the most amazing raw bread I have ever eaten!


 Next up . . . Caesar Salad. The dressing  . . . well, perfection comes to mind.



And now for the main event: stuffed and breaded Eggplant Parmesan with grilled bacon wrapped asparagus.  The noodles are made from zucchini, the bacon is also made from zucchini marinated and dehydrated. The marinara sauce was thick and rich and even was sprinkled with "parmesan" cheese. The eggplant was stuffed with cheese. The entree was brilliantly prepared. And DELICIOUS!


See the cheese inside this bite?


And now, the grand finale:  Caramel Apple Crumble Cheesecake.


No words necessary!

Saturday, March 9, 2013

How did this happen?

I wonder what you see when you look at this plate of food? Mashed potatoes and gravy, sliced beef and onions, and a green veggie in the background?? I suppose it is all in the eye of the beholder. It's kind of a "comfort food" dish!

If you know me, you know that is not mashed potatoes, nor beef! So what is it you ask? Read on!

Two things occurred to make this dish happen. First I bought a new ebook. (Yes, I am a raw food ebook junkie!) And secondly, I bought a new food processor. (Yes, another junkie issue, I love gadgets and appliances!)

The book: Lisa Viger's Spring Raw on $10 a Day (or less). It is a great ebook. I have already made a number of recipes in it and have not been disappointed, well, except for the banana bites (not her fault - I don't like the texture of frozen bananas defrosting). Everything on this plate is made from her book.


You should check it out. I think it was only $10. 

The food processor is a Cuisinart. She is a beauty too and works so well! It has a 12 cup and a 4 cup bowl, 6 thicknesses of slices, 2 grating settings, and I love that you can pour or scrape the bowl and the blade stays in it. I think we will be together for a long time!


With the new ebook and the new food processor, dinner was made step by step!

First up, Garlicky Greens. Here is the new beauty ready to chop bok choy . . .


which came out perfect.


For the kale, I used the thickest slice setting which worked out great. I didn't want it as chopped as the bok choy. This was a great way to do it too instead of chopping it with a knife. Way faster!


It is the perfect texture and size.


The onions I did on one of the thinner slice settings.


I added a great sauce/marinade to the bowl of bok choy, kale, onions and mushrooms, all of which will spend hours getting to know each other! I made this early in the morning so it had time to wilt and soften. (Note: It was even better the next day!!)


It is already looking good! And can you smell it? Oh my!


Next up, mashed "potatoes."

First I chopped the cauliflower in the food processor.


Oh, check out my new measuring spoons. One end is for dry measure and the other end is for liquids, and the best part is they are magnetic and stay together in the draw!


Into the chopped cauliflower goes a liquid mixture,


stir it in


and spread it on a dehydrator tray and dehydrate an hour or two.


Put it back in the food processor and puree. I did have to add a little bit of water to get it to the consistency I wanted.


Are you ready for the "meat" of this dish? Well, here you go . . . the "beef!"

Portabella Mushrooms slices



and thinly sliced onions done on the mandolin.


Toss with a sweet marinade,


and dehydrate about an hour or two.


In the jar is the gravy - olive oil, balsamic vinegar and tamari. This is warm and ready to be plated.


So there you have it . . .  how it happened!

But wait, there's more!

Dessert. Chocolate Mint Parfait. 
A perfect ending to a perfect meal and a perfect day . . .

thanks to a new food processor, a new ebook, 
and the love of living food!
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