Roasted Portobellas on Polenta with wilted Greens and Pomegranate and Balsamic Reduction

Polenta with Roasted Portobellas, Wilted Arugula and Spinach with a Pomegranate and 10 year old Balsamic Reduction

Adapted from a Charlie Trotter recipe that included veal stock which you know I would never use in a million years, this dish with a few convenient modifications is pretty quick to make.

The most difficult part is finding Pomegranates. I went to Fresh Market first and then found them at Publix. You need two of them and you need to de-seed them yourself, this is the most difficult part of the dish. Halve the Pomegranates and take out the seeds, blend in the Vita-Mix for 15 seconds and then strain through mesh sieve. Simmer the juice until it thickens and sticks to your spoon. After that s=add 2 tsp of the 10 year Balsamic Vinegar, (yes 10 year old is more expensive but so much finer and thicker), whisk in 1/2 cup olive oil and that is your sauce.

I cheated a little for time and sanity and chose to use the rolls of organic polenta that are readily available most grocery stores. I cut them into rounds and then pan fried them in Earth Balance. I threw the mushrooms after I sliced them in a little more Earth Balance and cooked them lightly then added a handful of Arugula and Spinach to wilt a little.

Done. Take a few pomegranate seeds you had left over and garnish. Easy easy easy and really good...

Raw Caprese Cheese Salad with Dried Tomtoes and Spinach

Raw Macadamia Cheese rolled in herbs with oven dried grape tomatoes, spinach salad, and 10 year old Balsamic Vinegar

Ok, friends trying to lose weight or cut cholesterol or become more vegan....

Take 2 cups of raw macadamias, I noticed Publix has a bulk section in some stores now which is very convenient since raw macadamias are not always easy to find...

Soak the macadamias in filtered water for 12 hours in the fridge or if your house is cold like mine that's fine too. After 12 hours put them in your blender. I added a little water to try to make it smoother, this is a good time to invest in a Vita-Mix blender. They are expensive but blend ice likes it is nothing and makes pastes and purees your Oster can only dream of achieving. Add 1 teaspoon of probiotics, available at all health food stores, I get loose powdered ones so I am not throwing away all of those capsules every time... Wrap this in a cheesecloth, put in a mesh container and put a jug of water on top for 16 hours. This ferments the cheese and makes it nice and tangy. After 16 hours, add 2 tbsp Nutritional Yeast (full of b12) 1 tsp onion powder, garlic powder and salt. Stir and then take wax paper and roll it into a log. Meanwhile, have your sous chef (haha) cut up fresh tarragon and fresh chives with some fresh ground pepper. Roll the log in the herbs and set aside.

The grape tomatoes are my favorite because they are always full of taste. I usually get them at the Farmer's Market but Publix has organic ones there usually. cut them in thirds long wise and bake at 100-200 depending on your time. Also sprinkle cajun seasoning and a little salt on them before they go in. It usually takes about 20 minutes for them to get nice and crispy but soft in the middle.

I then cut up about a cup of fresh organic baby spinach, cutting it up in small pieces so you can eat triple the amount because they aren't whole leaves that are difficult to eat. I then sprinkled Portugese Extra Virgin Olive oil on top and tossed.

Cut three circles of cheese per serving, top with the tomatoes, a little Maldon salt, smoked if you have it, and then place a few drops of 10 year old Balsamic Vinegar around the plate.

It is a little time consuming but not as much as you think, more waiting and thinking ahead. No cholesterol, no unhealthy fats... And excellent on the palate:)

Today's Lunch

Jerusalem Artichokes with Rosemary, Spanish-style Tomatoes in Saffron Oil,
Wine Braised Leeks and Catalan Style Bread


Sunchokes, also known as Jerusalem Artichokes are neither from Isreal or artichokes. They are actually the tuber from a sunflower! I got them at Publix in the produce section. They actually look alot like ginger but they taste nothing like it. I can not believe I have never seen any menus with this delightful food included in it. Braised with white wine and fresh rosemary, 10 minutes of cooking and viola a gourmet delight.

The leeks are easy, just put two tablespoons of Earth Balance to melt in pan and then cut up leeks, cook for a few minutes and add white wine, reduce to a glaze, salt and pepper and some thyme and they are ready to go.

The tomatoes are the most complicated. You need a pinch of saffron, smoked paprika and thyme. I get smoked paprika at the Colombian Gift Shoppe on St. George Street. Here I heated 1/2 c extra virgin olive oil with a pinch of saffron, added two pints of farmer's market tomatoes and four slivered garlics, cooked two minutes in oil and then transferred to an earthen ware dish added 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, a pinch of red pepper flakes, two sprigs of thyme, salt and pepper and one small bay leaf, stirred and baked at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

Catalan style bread is just your choice of toast with a fresh tomato smeared all over it with a pinch of salt and some oil. It is so delicious.

Gardein Chiken Salad Vegan!!

Gardein Chicken-ish product available at Publix and Whole Foods

For two people or one if you are really hungry

Saute' Gardein Unchicken Pieces in Skillet in a little olive oil.
Mix 1/2 cup Vegannaise with 1 tsp Rice Wine Vinegar, 1/2 lime juiced, 1 tbsp Agave Nectar and cut up celery, champagne grapes or currants and salt and pepper.
I used Malaysian style bread for the wrap because they are amazing, available at Indian Food Stores. Add sald greens to the bottom and avacado to the top. Salt and Pepper and eat!!

Thai Drunken Noodles

Thai Drunken Noodles

Almost all of the grocery stores are carrying rice noodles these days in their ethnic food section, but I prefer to go to Asian Stores. 1. Because they are super inexpensive there, and 2. Bigger selection

I like the extra wide noodles for this recipe... boil water and then pour in a bowl over noodles while you prepare everything else.
Heat sesame or other oil in a pan, add 2 tbsp chopped garlic, 1 small thai chili, 2 tbsp peppercorns. Heat this until the garlic starts to brown but don't burn it.

Add whatever veggies you like, carrots, broccoli, mushrooms, onions, peppers, etc... I use Gardein Chicken from Whole Foods instead of meat and then tomatoes are braised at the last minute with thai basil. I grow my own Thai basil because I can never get enough of it's flavor but you can also pick up at the Asian Store usually.

The sauce is relatively easy, just a few 4 teaspoons of agave, 3 tbsp. of vegetarian or regular oyster sauce (also available at most grocery stores now) 5 teaspoon of soy sauce, and a 1/2 tsp of white vinegar.

Add eggs if you like eggs and stir fry. Add noodles that have been soaked. Lastly add the basil on top until wilted.

Add more chilis if you like it spicy or take them out if you are not into spicy foods.

If you aren't into the authentic style with the black peppercorns you can sub. white pepper. You can also use shrimp, tofu or whatever you prefer. Serve immediately and don't plan for leftovers.

I double the sauce mixture because I like them covered in sauce. You can add water with the noodles if they start to stick...

Enjoy

Raw Almond Milk Freshly Made today

Raw Almonds are a must! Available at Blue Planet Co-op in St. Augustine, or a few Farmer's Markets around town from Blue Planet. Also online....


Soak the almonds for eight hours and then pull the skins off for best results. The skins are bitter and fiborous and do not give you the same silky texture as these! Blend with water for desired consistency. I strain through a double cheesecloth and add a little probiotics powder just for extra ones.

Make sure your almonds and raw and they soak 8 hours.

Raw Food Pad Thai

This is sea tangle noodles (available at select Health food Stores) soaked in nama shoyu, agave nectar, lime juice and sesame oil. Add shreds of garlic and ginger and cayenne pepper.

You can use any vegetables you like in your pad thai regularly, broccolli, carrots, sprouts, green onions, zuchini, etc...

Then I garnish with cilantro and thai basel and finish with curried cashews...

Start soaking everything before you leave for work and then by the time you are ready for dinner, everything will be nicely marinated and soft.

Cashew Cheese Dip with Flax and Buckwheat Crackers

Hello Friends trying to eat better!

You might say, Wow! Heather you are always posting cheese and desserts!! Well all I can say is that I am truly American and love junk foods, but the key is eating the foods that still have nutrition and taste great!

This is 2 cups of cashew soaked overnight , then blended and a teaspoon of probiotics added. This mixture stays overnight in cheesecloth so it can ferment and have a nice bite to it.

After its fermented "I took a handful of garden herbs, chives, rosemary and oregano, some lemon juice come miso and some tahini and blended it together.

I added buckwheat greens to the top and garnished with flax seed crackers. The flax seed crackers take about 30 minutes (20 of which is them soaking, requiring no energy output for you) and then i added buckwheat groats, cayenne peppers from the garden, turmeric, garlic and cilantro, blend and dehydrate until crispy!

Raw food is much easier for clean up! No greasy pans to scrape!!

Raw Buckwheat Treats- Rival Rice Krispies

While it might be a little more advanced than the Rice Krispy Treats, it is healthier!!

Two thai young coconuts (I get mine from Asian stores not Whole Foods)
scrap out the meat, add some coconut oil, vanilla bean, agave. maple syrup and sea salts. Blend!!

Pour over your buckwheat groats(aavailble in bulk at the health food store). I soak mine for 8 hours and then dehydrate for 24 hours before I coat them, but if you don't have time, although not ideal, you can use them righ to ut of the bag!!

Dehydrate for 24 hours, if they make it that long, I love them warm right out of the machine!!

Ok, folks, no dehydrator? eBay !! Or it's gift giving time and what says I love you more than buying somehthing that is going to drastically help you eat healthier? $100!! Its less than a night out some times!

Raw Buckwheat Treats- Rival

Raw Dinner Couldn't be Easier!!

Cashew Cheese with Broccoli and Mushrooms



2 cups of cashews soaked in the frdige, 30 minutes-12 hours whatever works for you busy chefs!
Put it in the blender with some olive oil, light miso paste (available at any health food store)
1/2 cup Nutritional Yeast (also available at the same health food store in bulk).
1/2 red pepper
1/2 lemon squeezed
pinch of Celtic Sea Salt
1/2 jalapeno if you like hot



Now I know you are going to say "I don't have time to put 5 ingrdients into a blender and blend
The heat from the blender actuallly warms the sauce so don't heat it up in a pan.... keep it raw!

The veggies has been soaking in olive oil and a little Bragg's or Nama Shoyu (raw soy sauce)
Let the veggies soak all day or all night whatevers easy for you!!

Eating healthy doesn't have to be hard, it just has to be done!! You will feel like a million bucks eating this for dinner over pepperoni pizza... and hardly any clean up or prep time...