Ode to Maraw. . .

[eachpeachpearplum]

I just HAVE to share. I am always so in awe of the stunning food pictures that Maraw posts. Add to that the her website with the recipes for her winning creations. I have been working my way through these recipes and they are hands down wonderful.

I have become addicted to the spinach & herb soup. It is a sinch to make and I must admit it has replaced my morning fruit soothies on occation!

http://www.therawtable.com/recipecoll/spinsoup.htm

Well my son also loves it too. . .

THANKS MARAW!!!

[Nenyath]

What a wonderful picture, is he mostly raw? No matter what he looks really cute! I think maybe I ought to try that soup! :p

Fly forever free..

[rawfigure]

Cute !!!!!!!!! :D Thanks for the link !

[KindnessToAllCreatures]

I'll second that. Maraw has always been most generous in sharing her recipes (as well as words of wisdom!). :)

[Vandy]

I'll third that!

[English Tracy]

Motion carried unanimously!!

I made Maraw's lemon chewies yesterday and they are sooooo wonderful.

Tracy

[eachpeachpearplum]

What a wonderful picture, is he mostly raw? No matter what he looks really cute! I think maybe I ought to try that soup! :p

Fly forever free..

Thanks - yes he is high raw since birth and is also still breastfed. He will not eat cooked if it's given to him!

He especially does not like anything heated. . .although he is very fond of my tea (PG Tips) once it has cooled a bit! :p

[exurb]

Maraw, what a lovely soul and generous spirit to share such beautiful food with us all! Your recipes are amazing, very well developed, and your photography skills are over the top!!! Thanks for being so generous in making your recipes freely available and for developing them with such care and love, I believe your generosity will come back to you many times over!

I'm glad eachpeach posted today, because it made me go to your site, and I actually had all the ingredients for the spinach soup in my garden including fresh peas, young celery, green onions, spinach, basil and cilantro, everything except the lime and kiwi. It was absolutely divine, I needed a lift today and got it, how fortunate I feel to have all this beautiful food and beautiful people like Maraw to share enticing ways to mix it up!

Tonight's dinner the Happy Cow burgers!!! Tomorrow's lunch the mock chicken salad!! Life is sweet! :D

[Nenyath]

That is how I would raise my children as well! It's great he won't eat it, makes it a lot easier for you if people try and give him cooked!

And Maraw, thank you for sharing all those amazing recipes and especially the photos that can really make me yearning for a bite! :rolleyes:

Fly forever free..

[aromaticwings]

what a cute little marshin mustache.... gotta try that soup too...

[heabrook]

That soup looks good, I haven't tried it yet. I have tried several of maraw's recipes and all were good. We particularly like the creamy cucumber dressing, herbed cheese spread and the happy cow burgers. :)

[RawFoodieMom]

eachpeach, thanks so much for posting this, I hadn't even been to her site yet! I've been missing out, it really looks great, what a great collection of recipes!

[ChaiLife]

I know Anna will be so gratefull for everyone's kind words. At the moment, she is on vacation and won't be back for a few days. Just to let you know why she has not responded. ;)

Her recipes really are wonderful. I think she needs to make a raw book and include all of her wonderful photographs and recipes!

[eachpeachpearplum]

I know Anna will be so gratefull for everyone's kind words. At the moment, she is on vacation and won't be back for a few days. Just to let you know why she has not responded. ;)

Her recipes really are wonderful. I think she needs to make a raw book and include all of her wonderful photographs and recipes!

I'll second that! I so love her pictures. I am SUCH a visual person that every week I rotate raw food pictures on my cupboards for motavation - her's always stand out!

EPPP

[eachpeachpearplum]

Motion carried unanimously!!

I made Maraw's lemon chewies yesterday and they are sooooo wonderful.

Tracy

Hey Tracy,

I too love those biscuits! I actually love the mixture before it is dehydrated. I serve it in a bowl with a spoon!

In the ongoing thread "I need More Food Pics. . ." I posted a picture of them: I add coconut on top! :p

www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10081&page=20&pp=25

[threedogs]

I just made the Spinach & Herb Soup - it is sooooo good!

I forgot to buy a kiwi, so, since I have lots of strawberries (they were on sale yesterday) I substituted a couple of large ones with a dash of the pineapple juice I made yesterday - it worked.

Mmmm - delish!

[eachpeachpearplum]

I just made the Spinach & Herb Soup - it is sooooo good!

I forgot to buy a kiwi, so, since I have lots of strawberries (they were on sale yesterday) I substituted a couple of large ones with a dash of the pineapple juice I made yesterday - it worked.

Mmmm - delish!

I made it the other day and forgot to put in the SPINACH! I mean it IS a Spinach soup. . .and it still tasted great. I did go back and put in loads of spinach though as I like my greens! :p

[English Tracy]

Hi EPPP,

I will be making the lemon chewies again later - double quantities this time as my huge non raw body-building son also likes them. I saw your photos - really mouth-watering stuff!!

I want to spend some time this weekend planning what to prepare for the week and will go through Alissa's book for ideas as well as Maraw's site.

Tracy

[eachpeachpearplum]

Hi EPPP,

I will be making the lemon chewies again later - double quantities this time as my huge non raw body-building son also likes them. I saw your photos - really mouth-watering stuff!!

I want to spend some time this weekend planning what to prepare for the week and will go through Alissa's book for ideas as well as Maraw's site.

Tracy

Hey Tracy would you like me to send you my Menu Tracker? Many people have asked for it and seem to like it! Here is a link to a picture of it; I send it as an email attachment.

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7393

It's near the bottom a bit.

[English Tracy]

EPPP

The menu tracker is a good idea. Can you send it? Is my email address on my profile?

Thanks.

Tracy

[eachpeachpearplum]

EPPP

The menu tracker is a good idea. Can you send it? Is my email address on my profile?

Thanks.

Tracy

I have tried and your profirle has the email function blocked!!! :o

[Svadhyaya]

Your website is GORGEOUS.
I just bookmarked some recipes to try.....all of them look just excellent.

Good work, and thank you!

[maraw]

Well, what a welcome home! I'm speechless, and truthfully, that doesn't happen often. :o

You guys have touched me, really. I don't know what to say other than "thank you." Our life has been kind of crazy lately with health issues and concerns, but with God's grace we are getting through it. My introduction to raw foods, and especially this community have been such a blessing to me in so many ways. Not the least of which is your inspiration and support.

I am honored by all of your very generous compliments and delighted that you are enjoying the web site and recipes. I'll be changing some of them out in September, so if there are some you like, you'd better write 'em down. There may be a book in the works...

Again, many many thanks to you all. Especially Kelly for letting me know this thread was here. I might have missed it entirely!

What a beautiful family we've become. :) My love and gratitude to you all.

Anna (Maraw)

[ChaiLife]

Welcome home, Anna!!!

So a book is in the works? Yeah!!! And be sure to include your beautiful pictures, ok?? :D

Thanks for the heads up about the web site changes. I gotta go print out some stuff now. haha

Hope everyone is feeling well.
Kelly

[English Tracy]

Eachpeachpearplum

I sent you an email a while ago as per your profile but haven't heard back from you. Therefore I think you didn't get it.

Could you email menu planner to me?


Thanks.

Tracy

[eachpeachpearplum]

Eachpeachpearplum

I sent you an email a while ago as per your profile but haven't heard back from you. Therefore I think you didn't get it.

Could you email menu planner to me hamletsz@aol.com


I hope I'm allowed to put that here - apologies if not. Could someone advise how to put it on my profile???

Thanks.

Tracy

Hey There, I did send it - I will try again! :o

I just checked, I sent it on 6/20!

OK I have resent it. Sometime for me mail goes right into my junk mail!! :eek:

Contact one of the mods and they will advise you as to how to get your email on your profile!

[wyjoz]

Maraw: you state """our life has been kind of crazy lately with health issues and concerns"""

sorry to hear that. Hope you find a way to resolve health issues soon. RAWgards Joz

[maraw]

Joz, thanks for your concern. We had a bit of a scare with my husband recently, but all is well now. Also the kids and I have had a horrible bout with a real nasty virus, but again, we are all on the mend. I have three kids that suck a finger or thumb so we see more than the average amount of illness. But it's nothing we can't deal with. We are all, otherwise, healthy and strong.

Thanks again.

[jennplas]

Hi Anna,

I love your recipes, i am truly picky with raw concoction. not by choice, but by the choice of my taste buds currently, being raised on horrible SAD stuff...
anyway i was wondering as i was reading some of your recipes... HOW on earth do you come up with this stuff!! :) i would NEVER EVER be able to create such wonderful tasting things on my own because it would never dawn on me to mix some ingredients together! you seem to just KNOW what to put together!!

i TRULY hope you will come out with a book... because i for SURE am going to buy a copy! :)

way to go on your creativity!!
jennP

[fuzzywater]

Just wanted to add to the chorus of praise here.... Well, two praises, actually.

1. Thanks for all those wonderful dessert recipes with minimal amounts of coconut oil! So many of the desserts I am interested in making use copious amounts of the stuff, and although I like it alright, I'm not particularly interested in using an entire cup of it in one recipe!

2. Happy Cow Barbeque Burgers.... mmmmmm. I've been on the lookout recently for a burger recipe I could really get into.... and although all the ones I tried were "ok," nothing was really jumping out at me. Well, your Happy Cow ones are in the dehydrator as I type. Normally I wouldn't throw out lots of praise for something before I've tried the finished version, but I discovered that I LOVE this stuff just as a pate on some romaine lettuce leaves with a little schmear of pesto. YUM! And I haven't really liked any of the pates I've tried before either! So I can't wait to try the burgers tomorrow! (I have to admit, I did modify a fair amount, due to 1. serious allergy to pecans and 2. a rotten tomato that turned my whole bunch bad. I'll try it sometime the way it's supposed to be too - minus pecans!)

Just wanted to say thanks again Anna!

And yes, when is that cookbook coming out? I'm interested!

[eachpeachpearplum]

Just wanted to add to the chorus of praise here.... Well, two praises, actually.

1. Thanks for all those wonderful dessert recipes with minimal amounts of coconut oil! So many of the desserts I am interested in making use copious amounts of the stuff, and although I like it alright, I'm not particularly interested in using an entire cup of it in one recipe!

2. Happy Cow Barbeque Burgers.... mmmmmm. I've been on the lookout recently for a burger recipe I could really get into.... and although all the ones I tried were "ok," nothing was really jumping out at me. Well, your Happy Cow ones are in the dehydrator as I type. Normally I wouldn't throw out lots of praise for something before I've tried the finished version, but I discovered that I LOVE this stuff just as a pate on some romaine lettuce leaves with a little schmear of pesto. YUM! And I haven't really liked any of the pates I've tried before either! So I can't wait to try the burgers tomorrow! (I have to admit, I did modify a fair amount, due to 1. serious allergy to pecans and 2. a rotten tomato that turned my whole bunch bad. I'll try it sometime the way it's supposed to be too - minus pecans!)

Just wanted to say thanks again Anna!

And yes, when is that cookbook coming out? I'm interested!

Hey you MUST have these with the Cucumber Dressing; this stuff is mana from heaven - and can be used in soooo many ways! :eek:

[fuzzywater]

Hey you MUST have these with the Cucumber Dressing; this stuff is mana from heaven - and can be used in soooo many ways! :eek:

I actually don't really like cucumber.... is the dressing strong on that flavor, or does it just add the moisture/texture?

I have always enjoyed tzatziki (however you spell it) so maybe I'll try it anyway...

[English Tracy]

If a recipe book is planned, please don't make it too bulky so that shipping costs to England aren't too expensive!!!

I certainly hope one is imminent - I love all the recipes on Anna's website.

Tracy

[ChaiLife]

fuzzywater,
the cucumber sauce is incredible!!! But I have a funny story to share if you don't like cucumbers.

My hubby was making the dressing for a picnic on Mother's Day. he had been working so hard to make a raw lunch for us and I was honored by his consideration.
Apparently while making the dressing he got confused between a cucumber and a zucchini so we had creamy zucchini dressing. LOL But you know what, it was still very yummy!!!

[eachpeachpearplum]

I actually don't really like cucumber.... is the dressing strong on that flavor, or does it just add the moisture/texture?

I have always enjoyed tzatziki (however you spell it) so maybe I'll try it anyway...

Actually I would never have realised it had cucumber in it if I had not made it. It's like a green goddess/zippy avocado sauce/dressing!

I would recommend giving it a try. :rolleyes:

And yes ChaiLife zucchini sub I think would also work well though would may need to add a bit more liquid as they are not as juice as cucumber :p

[maraw]

You guys are so great! I LOVE reading all this feedback - it really is helpful. Please feel free to give bad reviews are well... ;)

eachpeachpearplum: I can't wait to hear how your burgers turn out. I had the same frustration, but these turned out pretty nice. I'd love to hear how your version came out. I hope it's a hit!

fuzzywater: Do try the dressing, it is really nice. I think it would be just fine to use zucchini, but you might try adding a bit of water to it like eachpeachpearplum suggested. I don't think the cucumber gives it much flavor in any case.

English Tracy, ChaiLife, and jennplas: Thanks for the encouragement regarding the book. I have started putting it together, but right now it is still in first-trimester stages. I'm trying to decide on many things, but I am putting feelers out for publishers and printers. Alissa and her staff were very encouraging when I went to the workshop last month. She gave me some really helpful advise and ideas. It was I needed to really get me thinking more seriously about it. It also helps that my husband is very supportive of the idea. It's only a matter of finding the time to do it.

Again, thank you all for this wonderful thread of support. I am truly humbled by it, and by you as loving individuals.

Oh, I almost forgot - if you have a moment, take a look at the food pics thread. I just uploaded some new photos I'm very excited about.

[fuzzywater]

eachpeachpearplum: I can't wait to hear how your burgers turn out. I had the same frustration, but these turned out pretty nice. I'd love to hear how your version came out. I hope it's a hit!

fuzzywater: Do try the dressing, it is really nice. I think it would be just fine to use zucchini, but you might try adding a bit of water to it like eachpeachpearplum suggested. I don't think the cucumber gives it much flavor in any case.


I'll have to make the dressing soon then... maybe do a batch divided in half; one with cucumber and the other with zucchini.... Not positive, but I think the comment to EPPP was also about my burger attempts. Even if it wasn't, I wanted to brag/praise anyway! :-)

I came home from work today to the most wonderful smells coming from my dehydrator. So I pulled out a burger and nabbed a taste... yum! Then I added a bit of homemade ketchup - also yum! Then I thought, why not roll this stuff up in a lettuce leaf? So I sliced it into fajita-looking strips and rolled it up in a romaine lettuce leaf - YUM! I went back and munched on half of another one before I could make myself package them and stick them in the fridge. :-) For those curious, I swapped pine nuts and hemp seed and a little more walnuts for the pecans and added a zucchini instead of fresh tomato, plus an additional sundried tomato. I think I also added a basil leaf or two, as I have a plant that is getting quite large. It's wooooooooooonderful!



Mmmmm, breakfast was buckwheat crispies from Raw Food Real World with fresh sliced strawberries and fresh hazelnut milk, then Happy Cow burgers for lunch..... not sure what I'm making for dinner, but I don't know if I can top the food so far! (Hmm, maybe another burger for dinner...)

[eachpeachpearplum]

You guys are so great! I LOVE reading all this feedback - it really is helpful. Please feel free to give bad reviews are well... ;)

eachpeachpearplum: I can't wait to hear how your burgers turn out. I had the same frustration, but these turned out pretty nice. I'd love to hear how your version came out. I hope it's a hit!

fuzzywater: Do try the dressing, it is really nice. I think it would be just fine to use zucchini, but you might try adding a bit of water to it like eachpeachpearplum suggested. I don't think the cucumber gives it much flavor in any case.

English Tracy, ChaiLife, and jennplas: Thanks for the encouragement regarding the book. I have started putting it together, but right now it is still in first-trimester stages. I'm trying to decide on many things, but I am putting feelers out for publishers and printers. Alissa and her staff were very encouraging when I went to the workshop last month. She gave me some really helpful advise and ideas. It was I needed to really get me thinking more seriously about it. It also helps that my husband is very supportive of the idea. It's only a matter of finding the time to do it.

Again, thank you all for this wonderful thread of support. I am truly humbled by it, and by you as loving individuals.

Oh, I almost forgot - if you have a moment, take a look at the food pics thread. I just uploaded some new photos I'm very excited about.

Hey Maraw,

I wanted to say that if you are planning a food book I would strongly suggest you include a picture of each item. Firsly you would not need to pay for a photographer - lol - and also it is sooo inspiring to have a pic when trying something new.

A lot of raw food books do not include these and I am always wishing they did. Although some have included pics and they actually turn me off as the stylist / food was. . .well, not great(RGLFC by G.Coussens) :o !The pics do not need to be full page layouts, I mean the little ones you have on your site would do the trick! I know it's pricey to do but sooooo worth it especially when your pics are so utterly amazing.

cheers, EPPP

[eachpeachpearplum]

I'll have to make the dressing soon then... maybe do a batch divided in half; one with cucumber and the other with zucchini.... Not positive, but I think the comment to EPPP was also about my burger attempts. Even if it wasn't, I wanted to brag/praise anyway! :-)

I came home from work today to the most wonderful smells coming from my dehydrator. So I pulled out a burger and nabbed a taste... yum! Then I added a bit of homemade ketchup - also yum! Then I thought, why not roll this stuff up in a lettuce leaf? So I sliced it into fajita-looking strips and rolled it up in a romaine lettuce leaf - YUM! I went back and munched on half of another one before I could make myself package them and stick them in the fridge. :-) For those curious, I swapped pine nuts and hemp seed and a little more walnuts for the pecans and added a zucchini instead of fresh tomato, plus an additional sundried tomato. I think I also added a basil leaf or two, as I have a plant that is getting quite large. It's wooooooooooonderful!



Mmmmm, breakfast was buckwheat crispies from Raw Food Real World with fresh sliced strawberries and fresh hazelnut milk, then Happy Cow burgers for lunch..... not sure what I'm making for dinner, but I don't know if I can top the food so far! (Hmm, maybe another burger for dinner...)

Hey well done! I will try doin the burgers in finger shapes too! I love doing them a bit rare in the dehydrator - and love them with tomatoes. What is your raw ketchup recipe???

[maraw]

[FONT=Georgia][COLOR=Blue]Hey Maraw,

I wanted to say that if you are planning a food book I would strongly suggest you include a picture of each item. ... A lot of raw food books do not include these and I am always wishing they did.

I couldn't agree more, eppp. I am always attracted to cookbooks that have photographs in them. It makes it much easier when you know what the end result should look like, you know? Especially if someone is trying to go raw and they have no clue what to expect. It's one of the reasons I felt so strongly about posting pictures with my recipes.

Like you, I understand that it costs a great deal more to produce a full-color book rather than black and white with only color on certain pages. I use to be in printing years ago. That's one of the things I am looking into researching now.

Thanks again for the input.

[English Tracy]

Definitely pictures in any recipe book!! It really encourages me to try things if I can see what they are supposed to look like!

Anna - can you do this in time for Christmas??? The book would be a great idea for presents.

Tracy

[maraw]

...can you do this in time for Christmas???

Wouldn't that be great?! Don't see it happening though - maybe, at the very earliest, Christmas of 2007. Or even the following year. This is a major undertaking and not one of little expense. I want very much to tread carefully since this is unfamiliar ground for me. But I really appreciate your encouragement!

[fuzzywater]

Hey well done! I will try doin the burgers in finger shapes too! I love doing them a bit rare in the dehydrator - and love them with tomatoes. What is your raw ketchup recipe???


I cannot for the life of me remember where I got this... I think it was a whole post about raw condiments. If anyone can claim credit, let me know!

• Ketchup •

Blend until smooth:
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 c sun-dried tomatoes
• Juice of ½ lemon
• 1 pitted date
• Salt and pepper


It's not perfect by any means, but I haven't really had a chance to play around with it... and I generally love tomato-y stuff of any kind anyway. Let me know if you do try it and what you come up with!

[eachpeachpearplum]

I cannot for the life of me remember where I got this... I think it was a whole post about raw condiments. If anyone can claim credit, let me know!

• Ketchup •

Blend until smooth:
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 c sun-dried tomatoes
• Juice of ½ lemon
• 1 pitted date
• Salt and pepper


It's not perfect by any means, but I haven't really had a chance to play around with it... and I generally love tomato-y stuff of any kind anyway. Let me know if you do try it and what you come up with!

Brilliant thanks, and so easy! How long have you found it to last??

[fuzzywater]

Brilliant thanks, and so easy! How long have you found it to last??

I have no idea, I only made it a day or two ago for the first time!

[spicyfull]

Thanks for sharing..............