7.18.2010

Juicing Melons!

I had never thought to juice a water fruit like a melon before but saw it in a book and decided to gie it a try! So delicious! It would be a decadent and unique beverage for summer guests- just buy melons in bulk at Costco!

Run through the juicer:
1/2 ripe cantaloupe melon
1 carrot

Add & stir:
1 TB fresh lime juice

Serve as is or chilled. This would be good as a flavor base for cocktails as well- I could see it pairing with vodka or perhaps tequila.

7.11.2010

Berry Puree (quick berry sauce)

After seeing beautiful berry sauces drizzled on dessert plates, I realized that you can do this with plain berries pureed in the food processor.

Simply wash and drain the berries and then puree until smooth.

This is a great sauce to add into smoothies, drizzle over ice cream or greek yogurt or plate with a fancy dessert (like panna cotta).

Great berries for pureeing are:
  • raspberries
  • tayberries
  • blackberries
  • currants (although you'd need to add some sweetener)
I doubt blueberries would be good, unless you use a strong blender -- blueberry skins are hard to break down.

7.10.2010

Asian Cole Slaw (Raw) with Shiitake Mushrooms

This is a really good Asian inspired raw (if you use nama shoyu) salad. It pairs nicely with Thai or Chinese takeout food too.

Thinly slice 10-12 leaves napa cabbage into fine strips, then press water out of the cabbage using a paper towel. Reserve.

Thinly slice and chop 4 shiitake mushrooms. In a small cup or ramekin, mix mushrooms with 1 TB soy sauce and let sit for 3-5 minutes.

Now pour the extra soy sauce (from the mushrooms) into a cup for the sauce and add:
1- 2 tea komezu (japanese vinegar)
1 drop chile oil

Stir together sauce. Plate individual salads with some cabbage shreds, marinated mushrooms and a couple drips of the sauce. Serve immediately.

Vanilla Pecan (Raw) Oatmeal

This is a delicious raw oatmeal that is pretty easy, just takes a little foresight to get the oat groats soaking first!

Soak in water overnight, then let strain for 6 hrs or more:
1 C oat groats

Add the soaked/sprouted oat groats to the food processor with:
1/2 C pecans
2 tea vanilla
pinch of salt
2-4 TB ground flax meal
1/2 C (packed) pitted dates

Serve with cinnamon!