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!