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It's that most wonderfully festive time of the year!  When decadent, richly hued Italian Spumoni cakes layered with pistachio cream, chocolate-hazelnut and cherry ice-cream step out dripping in ganache and festooned like royalty in crisp wafer crowns!  Let me tell you, I felt like royalty simply having this gorgeousness lighting up my table…  so beautiful it was difficult to slice into.  However, once past it's exquisite beauty, a creamy slab of this luscious Spumoni Christmas Gateau is a divine flavor celebration fit for holiday Kings and Queens!  Heavenly layers of pistachio cream, chocolate-hazelnut and cherry ice-cream studded with candied fruit, chopped pistachios & hazelnuts galore luxuriously dazzle the tastebuds in ultimate comfort and joy!

 

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High Vibe Living Foods like this Italian Spumoni Christmas Gateau are the most gorgeous and delicious on the planet… and they leave us looking and feeling the same way!  Italian Spumoni Christmas Gateau is a truly spectacular way to celebrate the Season with amazing raw food deliciousness that doesn't weigh us down but lifts us up… in Peace, Joy and Happiness!

 

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Raw Vegan Spumoni Christmas Gateau w Chocolate Ganache

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This is my submission to Ren Behan at Simple & In Season and Jacqueline at Tinned Tomatoes for No Croutons Required Festive Photos and Bookmarked Recipes. Check them out!  

 

Recipe for Raw Vegan Spumoni Christmas Gateau (Serves 6)

Ingredients

PISTACHIO CREAM

  • 1/2 cup fresh young thai coconut meat (or sub soaked cashews)
  • 2 super ripe bananas
  • 1/2 cup pistachios, separated into 1/4 c & 1/4 c halved or coarsly chopped
  • 4 drops edible grade lemon essential oil (or sub fresh lemon juice)
  • 1/2 t vanilla powder
  • pinch of celtic salt
  • stevia to taste

CHOCOLATE-HAZELNUT CREAM

  • 1/2 cup fresh young thai coconut meat or 1/2 cup soaked cashews
  • 2 super ripe bananas
  • 1/3 cup carob powder (or sub cacao or a combo)
  • 1/2 t ceylon cinnamon
  • 1/2 t vanilla powder
  • 1/2 t celtic salt
  • stevia to taste
  • 2 T + 1/4 cup hazelnuts, coarsly chopped

CHERRY CREAM

  • 2/3 cup fresh young thai coconut meat or sub soaked cashews
  • 2 super ripe bananas
  • 2 1/2 T cherry juice concentrate or to taste
  • 1/2 t vanilla powder
  • stevia to taste
  • pinch of celtic salt
  • 1/3 cup dried, apple-juice sweetened cherries, lightly chopped as in halved – leaving several whole. 

CHOCOLATE GANACHE

  • 1/4 c extra virgin coconut oil, melted
  • 1/4 cup carob or cacao
  • 2 T almond butter

Method

PISTACHIO CREAM

  1. Blend all the ingredients in a Vitamix, except the extra 1/4 cup chopped pistachios, until ultra creamy. Taste to adjust flavors as needed. 
  2. Stir in the chopped pistachios.  
  3. Pour into the bottom of a 6 x 3" removable bottom cake pan and put into the freezer until set. 

CHOCOLATE-HAZELNUT CREAM

  1. Blend all ingredients in Vitamix, except the extra 1/4 cup chopped hazelnuts, until ultra smooth and creamy. Taste to adjust flavors as needed.
  2. Stir in chopped hazelnuts.
  3. Pour onto 1st layer once it is set.  Place back into freezer to allow 2nd layer to set as well.

CHERRY CREAM

  1. Blend all ingredients in Vitamix, except extra 1/3 cup dried cherries.
  2. Stir in dried cherries.
  3. Pour onto 1st two layers once they're totally set. Place back in freezer to allow 3rd layer to set. 

RAW VEGAN CHOCOLATE GANACHE

  1. Whisk together all ingredients until smooth and creamy.  
  2. Drizzle over cake once it has set. Add decorative toppings at this point so they'll stick.  Pop back into the freezer.

RAW VEGAN SPUMONI CHRISTMAS CAKE ASSEMBLY

  1. Well, it's practically finished!  However, feel free to add your own special touch as I did, with raw vegan chocolate wafers, dried rose buds, chocolate shavings, a few more chopped pistachios & raw coconut. 
  2. Allow the cake to thaw for 45 minutes – hour (or longer just keep an eye on it as we don't want it to totally melt) prior to serving to maximize creaminess.

Enjoy a large slice of high vibe luxurious Christmas indulgence under the light of the tree!

  

Do you have a favorite "traditional" recipe you'd like upgraded into a beautiful Vegan & Raw version?  Share it below for a chance to have me recreate it for you!

  

Be sure to follow me on FacebookPinterestInstagramTwitter YouTube to stay current on all things SN!

 

All Love,

Juliane

 

Thank you for visiting 🙂 

Comment, Like, Subscribe & Share!  

 

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Raw Vegan Chipotle Onion Rings with Garlic Aioli Dipping Sauce

 

Who doesn't love the delicious crunch of crispy, battered onion rings?!  Get ready for guilt free indulgence with these rings of fire made mega-delish with spicy smoked chipotle paired with THE most amazing Creamy Garlic Aioli Dipping Sauce you've ever had!  Seriously, Jim and I can't get enough.  They've become a weekly staple – actually I made two batches this week they're that incredible and easy too!

 

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You'd never guess these Raw Vegan Onion Rings are chock full of superfood power!

 

Fiery Onion Rings with Creamy Aioli Dipping Sauce win hands down for flavor, texture and satisfaction… plus they leave us feeling & looking our best too!  I purposely created a nut-free (gluten-free, dairy-free, grain-free) batter as even a Living Foods Raw Vegan diet is not healthy if it relies too heavily upon a high calorie, fat-laden, nut based approach.  When it comes to fats, too much can be too much no matter the type – a pitfall new Raw Foodists often stumble into.  Heavy, nut-centric meals can be very difficult for the digestive system and make it challenging to achieve ideal weight/fitness goals.  We all want to look and feel our best while eating delicious, nutritious food, therefore, I aim to develop balanced recipes that deliver absolutely amazing flavor while simultaneously ensuring we don't have to worry about counting calories or offsetting meals with excessive exercise in order to enjoy them.

 

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This Raw Vegan enzyme and nutrient rich recipe is full of incredibly powerful health & beauty enhancing plant-based superfoods.  Check out some of the amazing ingredient fun facts & benefits you'll receive while enjoying this delicious combo…

  • OnionsMajor cancer fighting power. major collagen/hair/nails building power.
  • Buckwheat Groats(I sprouted mine however I include options for skipping sprouting below) – Not actually a grain at all, but a fruit seed.  High in protein, flavanoids, magnesium, insoluble fiber, powerful phytonutrients proven to be more powerful than that found in fruits & vegetables, heart protecting lignans and more.
  • Chickpeas(I sprouted mine however I include options for not sprouting below) – Excellent for supporting the digestive tract, contain uniquely powerful antioxidants, decrease risk of cardiovascular disease, regulate blood sugar, improve feelings of satiety, excellent molybdenum &, manganese, very good source of folate & copper, good source of fiber & protein.
  • Kale – More iron than beef, high in Vitamin K crucial for bone health, blood clotting and prevention of Alzheimer's, powerful antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, reduces cholesterol levels, high in Vitamins A & C and Calcium, a great detox food filled with fiber & sulfur to keep the liver healthy.
  • Carrots – Excellent source of Beta-Carotene for beautiful skin & healthy vision. Carrots also contain falcarinol, a natural toxin that protects carrots against fungal disease and is found in scientific studies to stimulate cancer-fighting mechanisms in the body. Carrot extract has been found useful in combating cognitive dysfunctions and may offer memory improvement as well as cholesterol-lowering benefit.
  • Capsaicin in Chipotle (Chili) Peppers– Powerful anti-inflammatory, reduces cholesterol & triglyceride levels and increases body's blood clotting ability. Cultures who use hot pepper liberally have a much lower rate of heart attack, stroke & pulmonary embolism. Protects fats in blood from damage by free radicals, the first step in the development of atherosclerosis. Clears congestion from sinuses and congested lungs. Boosts immunity due to it's high content of beta-carotene and C. Kills the bacteria contributing to stomach ulcers while stimulating the cells lining the stomach to secrete protective juices.
  • Hemp Seed– A Super Food. A complete protein with a concentrated balance of proteins, essential fats, vitamins & enzymes with a virtual absence of sugar, starch & saturated fat. Increases and sustains energy, lowers cholesterol and blood pressure, reduces inflammation. Improves circulation, immune system and blood sugar control. More easily digested protein than meat, eggs, cheese or other high protein food. High in perfectly balanced essential fats: omega 3, 6 & Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA). High in antioxidants, amino acids, fiber, iron, zinc, carotene, B vitamins, Vitamin E. Can be eaten by those unable to tolerate nuts, gluten, lactose or sugar as there are no known allergies to hemp foods.

 

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Mmm mmm divine!  We just had these Fiery Onion Rings w Creamy Aioli Dipping Sauce on the side of a super delish Raw Vegan Soft-serve Chocolate Shake for a to-live-for lunch!

 

And, people, let me just talk about the Creamy Aioli Dipping Sauce for a sec.  Yes, these onion rings are unbelievably fabulous enough to stand on their own, however, this Creamy Garlic Aioli is phenom!  You'll be wanting to dip everything in it – or thinning it out to use it as salad dressing – or slathering it all over your veggie wraps.

To. Live. For!!! 

So, a final brief comment before I get to the recipe… I made my onion rings using the absolute highest raw vegan method possible (and it was still super easy) meaning I soaked my chickpeas and buckwheat then sprouted them before turning them into the batter.  However, I've included an Express Option for anyone that feels like skipping that step.  But, let's be honest about soaking and sprouting – it's literally dumping something into a big bowl of water, letting it sit, draining, rinsing, and letting it sit in a colander and rinsing again.  Easy.  However, options are good.  And, either way you make it, they'll still be brimming with amazing flavor and stunning health and vitality power!

 

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Recipe for Raw Vegan Onion Rings & Creamy Aioli Dipping Sauce

(Serves 4)

Ingredients

Raw Vegan Fiery Onion Ring Batter

  • 1 cup dried chickpeas soaked & sprouted* (for Express Method sub 1 cup chickpea flour)
  • 3/4 buckwheat groats soaked & sprouted* (for Express Method sub 3/4 cup buckwheat flour)
  • 6 kale stems (left over from salads/smoothies or just use 3 whole leaves stem & all. For Express Method sub 1 1/2  Tbsp of your fav Greens Powder)
  • 2 medium carrots (for Express Method, sub 2 Tbsp Carrot Powder)
  • 1 1/2 inch piece of dried chipotle pepper (or equivalent in powder, starting with 1/2 tsp & taste testing from there )
  • 1 teeny tiny (they're like 1/2 inch long) dried habanero chili pepper (or chili powder to taste starting with 1/2 tsp & taste testing batter from there)
  • 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil (for Express Method omit or substitute 5 nuts like cashews/brazil nuts/macadamia – don't worry 5 nuts spread across the entire recipe is not a big deal)
  • 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder (or to taste)
  • 1 tsp sea salt (or to taste)
  • 1/2 Tbsp raw coconut sugar (or use raw maple syrup crystals, stevia, raw coconut sugar or your fav sweetener to taste adjusting to account for differences in the strengths)
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (reserved for garnishing)

*Soaking & Sprouting Instructions: Place Buckwheat and Chickpeas into two separate bowls, top with filtered water to 3 inches above. Let soak 8-12 hours or overnight.  Rinse thoroughly. To Sprout: place Buckwheat and Chickpeas into two separate colanders inside 2 pots, add a 1/2 inch of water to each pot, cover with lids.  Let sit for 2 to 3 days rinsing once in the am and pm until sprouts grow to about 1/4". Rinse again thoroughly and they're ready!

Onion Ring Soak

  • 1 extra large sweet onion
  • 1 1/2 cups filtered water
  • 1 Tbsp raw apple cider vinegar (or sub fresh squeezed lemon juice)
  • 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp coconut nectar
  • 1 tsp sea salt

Creamy Raw Vegan Garlic Aioli

  • 1/2 cup hemp seed
  • 1/4 + cup filtered water
  • 2 cloves garlic (3 if you like it strong)
  • 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar (or sub fresh squeezed lemon juice)
  • 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 5 raw cashews
  • a touch of raw coconut sugar, stevia or your fav sweetener (start with 1/2 tsp & adjust to taste)

Method 

Fiery Raw Vegan Onion Rings

Note: It's best to do steps 1-3 the day before. Then dehydrate your onion rings the day you'll be serving or even a day ahead if you choose as they "reheat" really nicely in 45 minutes in the dehydrator.

  1. Place all the Onion Ring Batter ingredients into your food processor and pulse until everything is uniformly broken down and well combined, scraping down the sides of your bowl several times.  You should have a nice dough when the proccess is complete. You don't want huge chunks of anything. (For Express Method process ingredients into a flour and skip steps 2 and 3)
  2. Spread the mixture onto a teflex sheet of your dehydrator (I like the Excalibur) and dehydrate at 115 F for 4 hours or until dry, checking periodically as climate/time of year/altitude etc. can vastly affect drying time.  Feel free to make the Garlic Aioli at this point.  
  3. Once dry, break the dough into chunks and place into your food processor or Vitamix to process into a fine flour.  Divide the flour between two medium bowls and set aside.
  4. In a medium bowl whisk together the Onion Ring Soak ingredients.
  5. Separate your extra large onion into rings.
  6. Dip each onion ring first into the Soaking Liquid, then into the Batter Flour shaking to remove excess, back into the soaking liquid and again into the Batter Flour shaking to remove excess once more. Place each battered ring on a Teflex Sheet Lined dehydrator tray.
  7. Once all onions are battered, dehydrate on 135 F for 1st hour (Don't worry they'll still be raw as at this point they're throwing off water and the internal temp remains below 115) then turn down to 115F for 2 to 4 hours more, checking on them periodically, until reach desired crispness.* 
  8. Dust onion rings with smoked paprika to garnish. 

*There is leeway as to how long you choose to dehydrate the onion rings.  They're really delicious both a little moist and quite crunchy & everything in between.  I like to remove them when the interior is still a bit moist resembling deep-fried consisency as we put the leftovers in the fridge and "reheat" them in the dehydrator the next day on 135F for 45 minutes which makes them warm and crispier allowing us to enjoy them both ways.

Creamy Garlic Aioli

  1. Place all the aioli ingredients into your Vitamix and process until smooth and creamy.  
  2. Taste to adjust for seasonings and, if making in advance, add 1 or 2 Tbsp extra water for it to be a bit thinner than desired consistency as it will thicken considerably in the fridge. 

Enjoy!

Do you have a favorite "traditional" recipe you'd like upgraded into a beautiful Raw Vegan version?  Comment below & I'll recreate it for you!

 

All Love,

Juliane

 

 Thank you for visiting 🙂


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am in love with plant based Living Foods!  SO fresh.  So clean.  So flavorful.   Not to mention energizing, beautifying & healing…  they taste better than traditional cooked fare!  I really feel it's what nature intended for our nourishment.   

French Hazelnut Pumpkin Pie with "whipped cream" is no exception – this coming from a girl who always disliked hated pumpkin pie – that is until 6 years ago, when I discovered an amazing French recipe for cooked Hazelnut Pumpkin Pie.  Of course, now that I follow a primarily Raw Vegan foodstyle (because it tastes and makes me feel so amazing!) I had to figure out a way to upgrade that French recipe to a delicious, enzyme rich, Living Foods version.   

 

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Perfect for entertaining – or for just having as your own special, beautifying treat awaiting you in the freezer.  Since it's frozen it remains beautifully fresh compared to a traditional pie.IMG_5837

This knockout has a candied cookie-like crust and a creamy cheesecake-esque pumpkin filling. 

 

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Oh, and shhh… don't tell anyone about the secret ingredient that makes this SO much creamier & delish than any pumpkin pie you've had before (carrot juice).  Plus, as always, it's unbelievably simple to prepare.

 Please enjoy!

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Recipe for French Hazelnut Pumpkin Pie

Crust: 


Ingredients:

  • 1 3/4 cup raw pecans (or a combo of pecan, macadamia & walnuts, preferably soaked overnight & deydrated for 24 hours)
  • 
1/2 cup raw hazelnuts (preferably soaked overnight & dehydrated for 24 hours)
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 
1 tablespoon coconut oil

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons date paste (or use 2-3 dates mixed into 1st step of nut processing- just be careful not to turn the nuts into date-nut butter!) 
  • 1/2 tsp himalayan salt

Method:

  1. Place nuts in food processor, pulse into small crumbs – be mindful not to overprocess into nut butter!
  2. Combine the rest of ingredients by hand in a separate bowl.  
  3. Add this mixture to the crumbed nuts, mixing by hand until fully incorporated.  Mixture should stick together when pinched between fingers.
  4. Dump this into a 9 inch tart pan with removable bottom (or use saran if tart pan is one piece).  If you don't have a tart pan, use a pie plate with saran. 
  5. Press mixture firmly into tart pan or pie plate.  Depending on size of your pan, thickness of your crust, you may have extra crust left over (especially if using the shorter edged tart pan.  No problem! Just make some mini tarts or cutout a few "cookies" with your favorite cookie cutter!  Once dehydrated fill the extra tarts with any leftover filling you may have- or with a little cashew cream topped with fresh sliced fruit! Pretty & Yummy 🙂
  6. Dehydrate 48 hours at 115.

  7. Chill crust in freezer for 1/2 hour before filling. 

Filling

Ingredients:

  • 
1 1/2 cups cashews 
  • 1/2 cup chopped pumpkin
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup

  • 1/2 cup coconut oil

  • 1/2 cup carrot juice plus 1/4 cup reserved for blending assistance if needed (yes that's right, carrot juice!) 
  • 1/2 tablespoon vanilla 
  • 
1/4 teaspoon himalayan salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves (optional)

Method:

  1. Blend all ingredients in Vitamix until super smooth.  Add additional 1/4 cup carrot juice as needed to facilitate blending- tho try not to use more than 2 tablespoons.

  2. Pour into tart crust and chill in freezer overnight.
  3. Store in freezer and slice it right out of the freezer.
  4. Add a small dallop of whipped cream (click preceding link for recipe!) if desired.

**Disclaimer! The above recipe is my tweaked version which is SO amazing as I've already mentioned, I know:) However, I wasn't able to get pictures of it so the pics here are of the 1st version which looks a little different. The above tweaked recipe will have a more solid, finely ground crust and the filling is much smoother and creamier. Bottom line, your pie will have a less grainy texture in both the filling & crust. Although they look somewhat similar I wanted to point this out.  

 

Let me know how you like this one!  Did you make any tweaks to make it your own?  How were your Holidays?  Any New Year's Resolutions?

All Love,

Juliane

 

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My hubby used to be a canned, creamed soup connoisseur with Cream of Celery at the top of his favorites.  Of course, unless we've been living under a rock, we're aware that canned soups are an Mmmm Mmmm Bad choice if we're interested in amazing health, vitality & happiness 🙂  You can imagine my delight when I served this delicious Raw Vegan version and he had no idea it wasn't "cooked" or that it didn't have cream in it!  Yes, it is that good.  And SO easy!  

It would be a perfect first course for a holiday dinner, in fact I'll be serving a red bell pepper twist on it for Christmas.  Plus, as promised, I'm making an entirely Raw Vegan Christmas Dinner so stay tuned as I'll be sharing it all with you!

Without further ado…

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Warm, creamy decadence full of fresh flavor!

 

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 It doesn't geet easier than throwing all the ingredients into a Vitamix!

 

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Voila! Enzyme rich, cleansing, beautifying, living foods power!

 

Recipe for Cream of Celery Soup (serves 2)

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups chopped organic celery (it's on the dirty dozen list!)
  • 1/4 cup organic Raw Cashews
  • 1/2 avocado
  • 1 garlic clove
  • Himalayan Pink Salt to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper to garnish
  • A splash of purified water to get it going (& it may not even be necessary!) then adjust carefully to achieve desired consistency

Method:

  1. Finely dice a bit of the celery & set aside for garnishing
  2. Add the rest of the celery thru Himalayan Salt to your high speed blender.
  3. Blend until the soup is creamy and steaming hot (to the temperature of a baby's bottle will keep it raw or to 105F)
  4. Pour into bowls and garnish with reserved diced celery & fresh ground pepper.
  5. Enjoy!

 

What are your holiday plans?

Do you have a favorite raw vegan recipe makeover?

 

Much Love

&

Happy Holidays!

Juliane

 

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The Happy Shake, recipe created by Stacy Stowers

I don't know about you, but I definitely have a sweet tooth.  I love  (raw) chocolate… and (vegan) ice-cream…  and all the sorts of things that make one energized, happy and feeling fabulous in body, mind and spirit.  Wait!  You say.  That sounds too good to be true!  Does something with all that actually exist?  In fact it does.  It's called…

 The Happy Shake!

Inspired by supremely talented raw food chef, Stacy Stowers, this superfoods-galore smoothie, disguised as creamy, chocolate, soft-serve ice-cream, is so unbelievable it's become a staple at "Blissed Out", the Organic Juice & Smoothie Bar on Martha's Vineyard.  So, next time you're visiting the Vineyard, make sure you stop in to try it out… just kidding, of course I have shared my version of the recipe below:-)  

Jim and I enjoy The Happy Shake as a decadent morning kickstart.  Be prepared to experience exuberant energy, an outstanding mood and satiation likely to take you well beyond lunchtime. When you wake up the next day, don't be suprised if you feel extraordinarily well rested. Perhaps you may even notice a new glow to your complexion… 

then you'll know how this recipe got it's name 😉

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The Happy Shake

The Happy Shake (Serves 1) 

INGREDIENTS & METHOD: Make sure you follow the method exactly! You will need a high-powered blender such as a Vitamix.

1.  Liquid Base.  

  • Start with 1/2 cup water
  • Add 4 cups loosely packed spinach
  • Add a Good FAT. You need the good fat for metabolizing the spinach and keeping you satisfied for hours. You may choose from: 1 Tbs. Hemp or Chia Seed or 1/4 Avocado

2.  The Happy Part…

  • 1/2 Tbs. Maca Powder for stamina, endurance and mental clarity.
  • 1 Tbs. Raw Cacao Powder for that HAPPY BLISS feeling. 
  • A great option for some additional alkalizing GREENS… add 1/2 Tbs. Vitamineral Green Powder or Spirulina (I always add it)
  • Liquid Stevia to taste

3. DO NOT add fruit yet… Blend preceding ingredients into a green concoction FIRST!

4. Finally, add 1 1/2 cups frozen blueberries & 1 frozen banana to your green concoction & blend into a chocolate, soft-serve ice-cream. BLUEberries + GREEN = Chocolate BROWN!

5. Optional: top with a teaspoon of cacao nibs.

Now go out and have the BEST Day Ever!

Superfood Note: Super Foods like Maca and Cacao are very powerful foods bordering on medicine. This is a good time to do your own research on these two amazing foods. Start in small doses and listen to your body. 

You may also enjoy: Poached Egg Topped Quinoa Cakes