Sunday Brunch

I whipped up a Sunday brunch for two, serving both raw and cooked food. Warm tofu scramble and toast took the chill out of the air. There was some lingering snow mixed with rain, so I stayed inside to enjoy the warm wood stove.

Raw Mango Sorbet (frozen mango, bananas) blended in the vitamix. You can serve chopped pecans/dates on top for added zazz.
















Guacamole, california style. Tomatoes, avocados, lime, salt, garlic, cilantro, green onions.
















Tofu Scramble, cooked (tofu, bell peppers, spinach, garlic, tumeric, mushrooms, nutritional yeast, tahini, tomatoes)

The Flavor of Red

I have rarely given or received Christmas gifts. However, when invited for a holiday dinner, I like to bring a treat to share with guests or give to the hostess. I have found the perfect holiday gifts! Red red wine makes any hostess happy. Garnacha de Fuego is a red that will delight even the most picky wine drinkers. It is very smooth, very little bitterness. This wine retails for about $8, and tastes like a $20 bottle!




The sundried tomato pate is a recipe from Kristen's Raw Snacks and Sides, a delightful recipe book with quick fixes for guests and friends. I swapped pine nuts for walnuts in this pate, and it was super good! The green basil and red tomatoes give it a cheerful holiday flavor.

Consider giving edible treats, handmade gifts, or items from local artisans rather than expensive items from big businesses. Most of all, have a healthy, tasty, and relaxing holiday season!

photo courtesy of flickr

Wood Stove

A poem I composed when entering a raw food dehydrator giveaway at Raw Epicurean blog.

Dehydrate a tempting array

To serve friends for the holiday

Fruit leathers, savory pies

Whisper thin crepes, well dried

Crackling corn tortillas

Join me for a raw quesadilla!

I have a new wood stove, pictured at the right at my stone hearth. It is so efficient, that it is far more eco-friendly than a gas furnace.

Wishing you a warm holiday season!

Blueberry Soup with Cashew Cream

Ani Phyo and Kristen's Raw have delicious recipes for fruit soups. I selected a simple blueberry soup recipe (blended banana, almond milk or cashew, blueberries) to use with a cashew cream. The cream was from Heathy's Just Dessert's recipe, available at her blog.

I have photographed the delicious soup. My satisfied smile after slurping up a bowl of purple cream!

Honeycrisp Apples

It's apple season in upstate NY! That can only mean one thing; raw applesauce! I used the recipe from the recipe book "Kristen's raw sides and snacks". My favorite apple is the honeycrisp variety. Kristen's raw uses delicious flavors of cinnamon and almond butter for a yummy texture and warm flavor. This was my midnight snack, and boy it filled me up!

photo courtesy of flickr

Cheesecake video!

Here's a photo of my backyard. Behind these trees is my creek. After taking the photo, i've created a bonfire circle in the circular dip by the creek (center of the photo). Many a good bonfire has happened out there! Beers and veggie skewers. Grilled potatoes by the fire. The raw version? Just eat the skewers before folks cook em :)

My living room, which has already hosted THREE raw/cooked vegan potlucks. Folks bring a combination of raw and vegan foods, it has worked out well for folks of all diets.

Also, I'm featured in this video:

http://vimeo.com/6034801

And I'm cheerfully promoting the benefits of raw food at the vegan *cooking* skillshare. Here's a photo from the event:

Nacho Soup

This vibrant red soup reminds me of a childhood favorite: cheesy tomato soup. It's hearty and filling, and I can't wait to go home and whip up another batch on this rainy fall day.

Nacho Soup

• 1 large red bell pepper


• 1 cucumber, peeled


• 1/4 cup sundried tomatoes


• 1 Tbsp lemon juice


• 1-3 tsp agave (taste and adjust)


• pinch of italian seasoning


• dash salt & pepper


• 1/4 cup cashews
  

Blend all ingredients. Adjust amount of lemon, agave, salt, and cashews to taste. Serve immediately. Garnish with chives or fresh italian herbs if desired.

photo courtesy of flickr