Vegalicious

I  woke up with no sense of hunger at all. It took me a couple of hours to get there, which put me in a very exploratory and creative mood… for desserts 🙂 [lucky for you].

I snacked on less than a cup of what was left over from Borscht and then went on a scavenger hunt through our fridge. I had planned to make a soup or salad and raw desserts.

A while back I found a way to recreate one of my all time favorite dishes–Okroshka–a traditional Russian cold soup, loved by everyone, especially during hot summer days. Between my sister and I we could probably eat a couple of gallons worth of it barely stopping for a break. However, the “veganized” recipe still had cooked ingredients… so this morning I did not only make a vegan, but also a RAW version of it.

Speaking of my sister… let me digress for a second, I think it is time I introduced her to you [although I do have more than one, but this one is a trooper–she went vegan over a year and a half ago, helped her body heal and now she is doing a 30 day raw challenge]… So, without further ado, meet Marina–the gorgeous lady on the left. Can you see how she is glowing?! 😉

3 Raw Vegan Recipes

Raw Okroshka [Cold Soup/Salad]

feeds 4

Ingredients

Part I-Hemp Milk

• 4 cups water
• 1 cup hemp seeds
• 1/2 tbs honey [non-vegan, I know!] or date syrup
• 1/4 tsp Himalayan salt
• 1 tbs Veganaise [totally optional and not necessary for perfection… I used it out of habit]

Blend in a high speed blender until seeds are completely ground–milk will look white.

Part II

• 1/2 red bell pepper
• 1/2 yellow bell pepper
• 1 cucumber
• 2 bunches of radishes
• 4-5 medium potatoes, boiled in skins, peeled and cubed*
• 2 springs of green onion, chopped
• 1 avocado cut into small cubes
• 1 3/4 tsp Himalayan salt [or to taste]
• 5-10 tbs apple cider vinegar, depending on the level of acidity you enjoy
• 1 tbs dried dill [if you have fresh-it will be the best to use, then use 2+ tbs chopped dill]
• juice of 1/2 lemon

*omit if eating all raw

If you end up with large potatoes, simply make 1.5 of the milk mixture, add more salt and vinegar (2 additional cups milk, 2-3 tbsp vinegar, and salt to taste).

Preparation

• pour milk into a bowl, adding the rest of the ingredients to it, starting with salt, lemon juice, and vinegars–whip until Veganise is blended in [if you decide to use it]
• chop potatoes into 6-8 parts, without peeling, boil until cooked, then peel and chop into tiny cubes
• chop peppers into tiny squares, or you can do what I do and grate them in a food processor–quick and lovely
• shred cucumber into small pieces [I used my Mandoline slicer on the finest setting, and at other times I simply grate it in a food processor]
• shred radishes with a grader or a food processor [my choice for speed]
• chop green onions
• cut avocado into small cubes
• mix all ingredient together and let marinate in a refrigerator for at least 30 mins.
• Enjoy!

Now for that Yummy, raw vegan dessert…

Strawberry Pudding

4 servings

Ingredients

• 2 cups water
• 1 cup chia seeds
• 2 cups strawberries
• 3 tbs raw honey
• zest of 1/2 lemon
• 1/8 tsp Himalayan salt
• 4 strawberry  and 4 mint leafs for garnish

Preparation

• soak chia seeds in water for 20 mins, occasionally stirring-you will end up with a very gelatinous substance
• pour into a high speed blender [and you will need one for sure to ensure you end up with a SMOOTH, seedless pudding!–I used Vitamix 5200 for this task]
• add remaining ingredients [except for garnish]
• blend until smooth and seeds are disintegrated [you might have to use Vitamix’s temper to push ingredients down in the beginning]
• you should end up with creamy pudding
• pour into serving dishes, garnish with sliced strawberry and mint leaf
• chill in the fridge for at least 30 mins
• and of course… Enjoy!

Mango Strawberry Smoothie

• 2 cups water
• 1 mango
• 1 banana
• 3 cups strawberries
• honey or dates for sweetness, if needed

Happy Raw Eatings!