RAW STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE WITH VANILLA CREAM

 

 

It's strawberry season and I am loving it!  These Raw Strawberry Shortcakes with Vanilla Cream is so refreshing and easy to make.  The cookie dough is really versatile, I can see myself using this raw cookie dough recipe for many tart like treats.  Oh, and I hope to be able to go strawberry picking soon too!



 

 

RAW STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE WITH VANILLA CREAM

 

For the Raw Cookie Dough

1 cup raw walnuts

1 cup raw cashews

3 tablespoons raw agave

1 teaspoon water

 

For the Vanilla Cream

1 1/3 cup raw cashews, soaked 2 hrs
1/2 cup water
3 tbsp agave (or 2 dates - I used the dates)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Strawberries

For the vanilla cream, in your food processor blend all ingredients, minus 1/4 cup water. Stop frequently to scrape the bowl. When the mixture is quite smooth, drizzle in the last 1/4 cup water till fluffy.  Chill in the refrigerator.

 

 

For the raw cookie dough, process the walnuts and cashews in the food processor until they are chopped small and are combined well. Then add in the agave, process until crumbly, and add in the teaspoon of water. Process until a large sticky ball of dough is whirling around in your bowl. Remove the dough, place it between two sheets of parchment paper, and roll out to about 1/4 inch thickness. Cut the cookies out of the dough using a small circle cookie cutter (mine was about 2 inches in diameter), and place on a parchment lined cookie sheet and chill in the freezer for about an hour.

 

Once the cookie dough is chilled, plate it onto your plate or platter, then add sliced strawberries on top of it, then add a dolop of the vanilla cream and top it with strawberry tips.

 

Voila!  So pretty and delicious!

 

Enjoy!

 

 

Join the discussion!

If you have a favorite strawberry dessert recipe, feel free to share it in the comments below. Links are welcome!

 

 





NUTTY COCONUT CRANBERRY BARS



 

 

Many of you know that we love homemade bars here at A Simply Raw Life, this time though, I wanted to try one that was slightly different. I was inpsired by these bars I saw on Ascension Kitchen.  These looked so good and they turned out to be more versitile than I thought. Thanks Lauren!  Super delicious... Check it out...



NUTTY COCONUT CRANBERRY BARS

 

Note:  Remember that it's is preferrable to soak the almonds and cashews first and then dehydrated until they are dry to activatge your nuts and seeds, which give you added nutritional benefits.  Of course, if you don't have time or do not have a dehyrator, this recipe still works just as fine.

1 cup of raw almonds
½ cup of shredded coconut
1 cup of cashews
½ cup of dried cranberries
¼ cup of hemp seeds
¼ cup of chia seeds
¼ cup of coconut butter
¼ cup of raw honey
4 tablespoons of coconut oil
4 Medjool dates
pinch of sea salt
Zest of one lemon

 

In the food processor, chop up the almonds for a quick second to chop them into smaller pieces.  Add the coconut, cashews and chopped a little more for a few seconds.  Transfer the mixture into a large bowl.  Add the hemp and chia seeds.

 

In the food processor add the coconut butter, honey, coconut oil, dates, salt and lemon.  Mix together unitl well combined into a nice paste.  Now combine this mixture to the dry mixure and and fold it in with your hands combining it well.

 

Press the mixture well into a 8" x 8" baking dish that is lined with parchment paper and chill in the freezer for 1 hour.  Now it's ready to be cut and eaten!  Makes about 10 bars.

 

Store the remaining bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

 



I also have used these bars as grawnola and crumbled it on top of a smoothie bowl, ice cream, and fruit.  In the photo above, I topped it on my Chocolate Almond Milk Ice Cream.  So delicious!

Enjoy!

Join the discussion!

If you have a favorite dairy free ice cream recipe, feel free to share it in the comments below. Links are welcome!

 



CHUNKY CHOPPED SALAD WITH AVOCADO DRESSING

 

 

I just  had to share this recipe because it's so simple and so flavorful.  The simpler the recipe the better right?   I LOVE avocados and I love using them as "dressing" for my salads.  This Chunky Chopped Salad wtih Avocado Dressing is super simmple and zesty, you will love it!

 

CHUNKY CHOPPED SALAD WITH AVOCADO DRESSING

 

1 cup cherry tomatoes cut in halves

1 cup chopped celery

1 cup chopped brocolli

1 ripe avocado

Juice of 1 lemon

Sea salt and pepper to taste

 

Chop all the vegetables, including the avocado and place in a medium bowl.  Squeeze in the juice of 1 lemon, season with sea salt and pepper and work in the avocado, smashing them ever so gently to get your "dressing" effect.  Voila!  The lemon juice not only gives adds great flavor but it also helps the avocado from turning brown. 

 

Bon Apetit!

 

 

 

Join the discussion!

If you have a favorite raw dressing recipe, feel free to share it in the comments below. Links are welcome!

 



TERIYAKI MUSHROOM BURGER

 

I mean sometimes there are days you just want to eat something cooked.  When that happens, I love to remake old favorites into a tasty vegan dish.   I love eating mushrooms because of their meaty texture and the teriyaki flavor is really zesty.  The thought is making my mouth water.  The teriyaki suace is from an old family recipe my mom has used for years and now my sister and I will pass down the family recipe.

 

TERIYAKI MUSHROOM BURGER

 

For the Teriyaki Sauce

 

2 tablespoons raw honey or agave

3 tablespoons soy sauce

1 teaspoon cooking sake

1 teaspoon sesame oil

Pinch of sea salt

Pinch of ginger

Pinch of garlic

1 teaspoon sesame seeds

 

 

Mix all ingredients in a small bowl.   Take approximately 2 cups of your favorite sliced mushroom and saute it with the teriyaki sauce mixture until tender.

 

In another pan saute sliced onions with a teasoon of olive oil and season with sea salt and pepper until tender.

 

Now you can create your burger. Pile on your favorite veggies.  I used spinach, micro greens and tomatoes with the teriyaki mushroom and onions.  So delicious!

 

Enjoy!

 

Join the discussion!

If you have a favorite vegan burger or sandwich recipe, feel free to share it in the comments below. Links are welcome!

JEAN-MAIRE + SOLVANG CLASSIC

 

 

Just wanted to share with you an update on Jean-Marie.   As you can see, our Jean-Marie is doing fabulous.  Cancer-free and full of energy, she just biked 50 miles in the Solvang Century this past weekend!  You go Jean-Marie!  It is a recerational bike riding event, but she finished the 50 miles easily and says she is ready for more! 

What an inspiration!

xox

POWER BERRY GREEN SMOOTHIE

 

 

 

Nothing starts my day better than having a smoothie or a fresh juice blend.  Don't get me wrong I may have my days here and there where I cheat, I am only human, but I am pretty religious about having my green smoothie.  Maybe one day I will share what my weaknesses are... haha!

 

I do have a favorite green smoothie that I have most mornings, but this time I decided to switch it up a little and I really loved this combination.  I hope you like it too.

 

POWER BERRY GREEN SMOOTHIE

 

1 cup almond milk

1/2 a frozen banana

3/4 cup frozen blueberries and blackberries

2 cups mix of baby spinach, baby kale, and baby chard

Optional: 1 table spoon maca powder

Optional Topping: Chia Seeds and Hemp Seeds

 

Blend all the ingredients together in a high speed blender and enjoy!  I like my smoothies on the thick and creamy side.  If you do too, and your smoothie seems a little too liquid, just add more frozen banana or berries. 

 

Happy drinking!

 

 

Join the discussion!

If you have a favorite dairy free smoothie recipe, feel free to share it in the comments below. Links are welcome!

 





CHOCOLATE ALMOND MILK ICE CREAM

 

 

My son's all time favorite dessert is simple chocolate ice cream.  I get so ecstatic anytime I can figure out a healthier verison to his favorite foods.  I love this recipe too because you don't need an ice cream maker to make it!  Love that!  I bought an ice cream maker this summer, but wanted to create a recipe that didn't require one.   This is also perfect for those of you that are looking for a dariy free ice cream.

 

I love hearing the words, "Mommy, can I have some of that home made ice cream we made?"   The fact that he helped me make it, makes him happy and excited to eat it.  This came out so delicious!  I hope you enjoy it too, my son sure did.

 

 

CHOCOLATE ALMOND MILK ICE CREAM

 

1 cup almond milk

2 frozen bananas (freeze in small pieces)

1 heaping tablespoon of raw cacao powder

1 tablespoon raw honey or agave

 

DIRECTIONS

 

Blend all of the ingredients together in a high speed blender.  The consistency should be thicker than a smoothie.   Pour the mixture into a small baking dish or other flat container and chill in the freezer for about 2 hours.

 

Take the ice cream out of the freezer and scoop.  Eat plain or top it with your favorite toppings.  My son loves it plain and simple, but I might top it with sweet cacao nips and berries.

 

Store the ice cream in a sealed or covered container in the freezer.  Once you have had in the freezer for a few hours, it may seem really hard.  Just leave it out a few minutes before serving and it will be soft enough to scoup.

 

Enjoy!

 

 

Join the discussion!

If you have a favorite dairy free ice cream recipe, feel free to share it in the comments below. Links are welcome!



SPINACH, WALNUT SUN DRIED TOMATO PESTO SPREAD

 

 

 

I am all about zesty, flavorful food.  This pesto spread really delivers with bursts of sun dried tomatoes and lemon.  My mouth is watering just thinking about it!  It's Friday night so, let's do this!

 

 

SPINACH, WALNUT SUN DRIED TOMATO PESTO SPREAD

 

3/4 cup sun dried tomatoes

3/4 cup raw walnuts

1-1/2 cup spinach

1-2 cloves of garlic

Juice of 1/2 to 1 lemon

Pealed and sliced pieces persian cucumbers

Fresh basil for garnish

 

Put all the ingredients into a food processor and process until combined well.  I don't like to process it too much, leaving this mixture a little chunky.  Use your desired amount of garlic and lemon juice.  The more you use the zestier it will be, so I'll leave that up to you...  Placed a small scoup of the pesto mixture on top of pealed and sliced persian cucumbers and top with a piece of fresh basil.  It's so fresh and flavorful! 

 

Enjoy!

 

 

Join the discussion!

Do you have a favorite pesto recipe? We'd love to hear what if is.  Feel free to share it in the comments below.  Links are welcome!

 





WATERMELON POMENGRANATE SMOOTHIE

 



I drink a lot of green smoothies everyday.  Almost everyday... so sometimes I like to branch out and try something different.  I love the light pink color of this smoothie - so delicate and fresh.

WATERMELON POMEGRANATE SMOOTHIE

1 cup almond or coconut milk
1/2 - 1 frozen banana
1/2 cup frozen watermelon (the sweeter and more ripe the better)
3 tablespoons pomegranate seeds

Blend all the ingredients together in a high speed blender and enjoy.  I don't like my smoothies too sweet, but if you'd like to add some more sweetness to this, you can use Stevia, raw honey or raw agave.  The sweetness of your smoothie will depend on how sweet your watermelon is too.

Enjoy!

Join the discussion!
Do you have a favorite smoothie recipe? We'd love to hear what if is. . Feel free to share in the comments below. Links are welcome!

BANANA CREAM VANILLA SMOOTHIE



Sometimes you just want something simple, like you would vanilla ice cream. This is a super simple smoothie that I love to make when I am craving just that.  I hope you enjoy it too!

BANANA CREAM VANILLA SMOOTHIE

1 cup almond or coconut milk
1 to 1-1/2 banana, frozen chunks
2 dates
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Yes, that's it!  Blend all the ingredients together in a high speed blender.  Note:  I like my smoothies to be thick and creamy, especially this one.  Start off with 1 frozen banana and then if it looks too thin, slowly add more frozen banana, piece by piece, until you get the desired thickness.  Top your smoothie with chia seeds and raw cacao powder, or whatever your heart desires!  Yum!

Enjoy!



Join the discussion!

Do you have a favorite smoothie recipe?  We'd love to hear what if is.  Please share in the comments below.  Links are welcome!