What to serve?

[Lunar*Fey]

I'm new to raw and I want to introduce my family to the raw diet by making them dinner and dessert and then telling them about it. I'm thinking of making the date nut torte or this rainbow delight thing...but I have no idea what to make for dinner. It has to be something with fairly simple ingredients as I am only (almost) 15 and have trouble getting groceries. We'll probably be going shopping soon but I can't get too much more of the more expensive foods. We have a bunch of raw cashews in the house and a small amount of almonds...not that they have to be used for this...I eat them plain and such allll the time. Anyway, does anyone have any really good, more simple recipes?? thanks :)

[lil fairy z girl]

you could make some stuffed red peppers, using whatever veg you wish inside, or combine an avocado with some herbs, olive oil, tomatoes, served with a green salad.
see:
http://greenchefs.tv/christophers_plate/stuffed-red-peppers/

i did this for my hubbys first raw meal and he liked it. i substituted some of the ingredients as i didnt have them, but it will give you an idea.
or Alissas Angel hair pasta, see here:
http://greenchefs.tv/alissa-cohen/Angel-Hair-Pasta/
have you Alissa book?

hope it goes well, let us know
best wishes
sal
~*~*~*

[dreamrawalwz]

You could do any simple lettuce (or other green) wrap with guac., salsa, or whatever else you want (like sliced peppers, mushrooms, celery, ect.). The zucchini pasta with sauce is always nice and simple.

[heabrook]

The date nut torte is a great choice. It is pretty easy to make, and it is very good! I make this every week and my husband gobbles it up.

Also, here is a link to a thread that I posted a few days ago. The recipe is in the thread, along with some pictures. It is called "Raw Pasta Marinara"
http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12408

It is very easy to make in my opinion, except for 2 of the ingredients. One is dried tomatoes (can you get those?) and the second is Asafoetida (which if you don't have or can't get, you can use garlic and onion instead because that is essentially what it is substituting).

I think it is great that you want to make a raw dinner for your family. Good luck :D

[Lunar*Fey]

thanks everyone...those are some good ideas, I'm still deciding but it will probably end up being one of those. Although my mom can't eat peppers so it can't be the pepper one. I don't have any books on raw yet, but my birthday is coming up :)

Heabrook: About how many servings does that recipe make?

[heabrook]

It serves 4.

I would definitely use 3 zucchini's if you have 4 people (or more if you have more than 4 people). You could always double the recipe. I made it for me and my husband and we had leftovers so I ate them on Monday (made it on Sat, and it was fine and tasted great on Monday).

I can't wait to make it again... it tastes just like spaghetti!! without the heavyness of grain pasta. :D

PS: A great raw book is Alissa Cohen's book. I love her book, the recipes are great tasting and simple to make (especially compared to other raw books that I have where the recipes are too time consuming).

[Lunar*Fey]

It serves 4.

I would definitely use 3 zucchini's if you have 4 people (or more if you have more than 4 people). You could always double the recipe. I made it for me and my husband and we had leftovers so I ate them on Monday (made it on Sat, and it was fine and tasted great on Monday).

I can't wait to make it again... it tastes just like spaghetti!! without the heavyness of grain pasta. :D

PS: A great raw book is Alissa Cohen's book. I love her book, the recipes are great tasting and simple to make (especially compared to other raw books that I have where the recipes are too time consuming).

Thanks, I think I'll make that. Except that I don't have dried tomatoes...I might be able to find them but if not, is there anything I could use in place of them? I'm thinking of what I could make to go with this meal...I was thinking a nice salad but I'm gaining weight so I need something with some more caloric value...well I'm sure I'll find something..thanks again for this great recipe! I only have a blender though, do you think that will work well enough for the zucchini??
Also, I'll look for Alissa's book. Is it sold in book stores? wow, that sounds like a dumb question lol. Thank you so much again!

[heabrook]

Thanks, I think I'll make that. Except that I don't have dried tomatoes...I might be able to find them but if not, is there anything I could use in place of them? I'm thinking of what I could make to go with this meal...I was thinking a nice salad but I'm gaining weight so I need something with some more caloric value...well I'm sure I'll find something..thanks again for this great recipe! I only have a blender though, do you think that will work well enough for the zucchini??
Also, I'll look for Alissa's book. Is it sold in book stores? wow, that sounds like a dumb question lol. Thank you so much again!

You could omit the dried tomatoes and use fresh instead. I think mainly, the dried tomatoes add some texture and a darker color to the sauce.

I'm not sure about processing the zucchini in a blender.. I've never tried that before. It might come out okay, but less like "spaghetti." It's hard to say though...

You could make a salad with avocados. They have calories and healthy fats. Plus, if you make the nut torte for dessert, you will get calories and protein.

I'm not sure if Alissa's book is sold in bookstores.. probably?? We bought ours online.

[shelah]

lunar*fey,
i wouldn't use a blender for the zucchini -- could easily end up like a slushy!
try using a good old-fashioned hand grater -- grate the zucchini on the long side for longer strands. OR you could make "fettucini" by using a vegetable peeler, again going along the long side, making wide noodles. lots of luck -- i'm sure your family will love the food and appreciate your efforts!
let us all know how it goes.
many blessings,
shelah

[Lunar*Fey]

heabrook: thanks again, you've been really helpful. Sorry for my naeve(sp?) questions.

Shelah: Good idea for the zucchini...it'll take a lot longer but come out muuuch better. Thanks :). I'll let you know how it goes