Raw Food Night

Sorry for the delay, but I've been away, visiting my cottage, and overwhelmed with being home and trying to get organized. Anyways, as I was saying, from Williamstown, James and I headed to his family home in Swansea. One of the nights I was there, we had somewhat of a raw food dinner party. I finally got the raw food dinner I was longing for since my convocation...

I made Raw Almond Burgers, using collard greens to make wraps. Of course, they were topped with plenty of Raw Cashew Cheese, along with beans sprouts and tomato. To go with the burgers, we had salad and I found a salad dressing that I am now in love with. I haven't had time to take any pictures, but I will and I'll post about it in the near future.

For dessert, I basically made this Raw Cashew Cheesecake, with a few changes. Everyone loved it, and so did I. I added cherries just for fun, and doubled the crust because I wanted its flavours to stand out more—like WOW's.

Raw Cherry Cashew Cheesecake
(serves 8)

Ingredients:

Crust:

• 1 cup raw pecans
• 8 soft Medjool dates
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 tsp fine sea salt

Filling:

• 1 1/2 cup raw cashews (soaked if they're actually raw, but don't bother otherwise)
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 10-15 fresh sweet cherries, pitted (or any other berry, I'm sure)

Instructions:

1. In a food processor, combine pecans, dates, salt and vanilla.

2. In a spring form pan, or a pie dish lined with parchment paper press crust mixture evenly.

3. Process the ingredients for the filling until it forms a very creamy paste. All traces of cashew crumbs should be gone. 

4. Scoop about half the filling into dish and spread evenly. 

5. Add cherries to remaining filling and process until smooth. Spread remaining filling in dish. Place in freezer until firm.
6. Remove from freezer 15-30 minutes before you want to eat it.

Anyways, I will post about the salad dressing soon, but I think I should mention a potential slow down in my blog posting. I just haven't been in the mood to bake. Maybe it's the heat zapping my desire to be in a hot kitchen, the sun calling me outside, away from my computer, or the stress and distraction of really needing to find a job for the summer...Whatever it is, I'm feeling very faraway from the food blogging world. Until next time...