The Ranch was a HUGE SADder HIT!!!

[Zaphirah]

I made it with fresh herbs, but I went light on the fresh parsely (maybe 1T instead of Snowdrops's 1/4c-my dh DOES NOT like parsely) I also made it thick like a dip.

I didn't tell a soul that it was "raw" or "vegan". When my guests asked what it was, I simply said it was a dairy free homemade ranch dip. (My dc have been dairy free for 3 years due to food allergies). It was a HUGE hit. There wasn't even any left for my dinner. LOL!

I have learned never to tell anyone that it's "vegan" or "raw" or "living"-that drums up suspition. Last Christmas I made Beppa's Tortillas chips-my FIL (the retired CHEF) LOVED them, till I, overflowing with pride and information, told him that they were raw, living, etc. He refused to eat another. GRRR! (LOL).

So-if you make it for SADders, just don't tell them that it's good for them. If they think it's junk food they are much more likely to eat it! :p

[Stina]

Hey cool! It's gratifying isn't it? I'm also subversive about sharing this food with others, espcially at the potlucks I go to with the so-called "normal" eaters. Just as long as I don't tell them that it's healthy, they like it!:(

[spicyfull]

RAW...ool...............

[queenfluff]

Great news!

I have been looking for a Ranch dressing so I will try that one!

That is funny about your FIL - He liked the chips so why does it matter that they are good for him too? :)

I know what you mean though - just don't tell anyone. I make faux dairy stuff that tastes like the real SAD thing and people are amazed by it. They are OK with it being vegan but RAW - they get weird about it. So I only tell the rawies. :)

[carolg]

Oh, got a link for the ranch dip?

I supply weekly for free lots of raw foods to my Farmer's Market friends, who bless me abundantly with deals you can't believe. They know it is raw, healthy and love it all with constant requests including the younger people too.

Many of my acquaitenances know I am a health nut, but think just dairy free. I have recently given away pickles, dried fruits, fruit "rolls" too. The chiro loves my raw stuff, the dentist folks love my stuff. I don't go into raw vegan plant based. I just tell them no dairy if they ask.

See it's sometimes better not to say anything but let people go for the flavors.

Right now I have some beets sliced up with garlic, dill, pinch agave, pinch olive oil, pinch agave...oh, sliver ginger...forgot salt qnd lemon but may add later....who knows, but for hubby and I'm not a beet person other than in juices, so skipping it here. Got some tops from the beets too so made fresh salad with the tops only and added lettuces.

Thanks for sharing.
carolg

[bellamausi]

No link, but I already saved it to my computer, so here it is:

ranch dressing/dip


for those missing that hidden valley feeling. soak time 1-2 hrs
5 Minutes to Prepare

Ingredients

1-1/2 c nuts (cashew or mac or combo)
soak them for a creamier dressing (1-2 hr is fine, then drain)
3/4 - 1 c filtered water for blending
3 T lemon juice
(translates into approx 1/2 lemon)
1/3 c cider vinegar
1/3 c evoo
3 T agave ( or 3 soaked dates)
2 cloves garlic
1 t garlic pwd
3 t onion pwd
1 t dill
1 T sea salt
1/2 t basil
and to add after it's done:
1/4 c finely minced parsley
another 1/2 t dill, minced

Directions
makes 3 cups
serving size 2 T
vitamix blend all ingredients till creamy and smooth except the last 2,
then once blended, stir in the last 2 ingredients.
thickens in fridge.
thin to desired consistency if using as a dressing- or toss into wet lettuce leaves as is.

Number of Servings: 24

[carolg]

Bella,
Thanks so much for posting.

carolg

[rawffle]

I was wondering if I could live without ranch or if there were a recipe...

Thank you so much!

[Zaphirah]

Last night my dh, the SADest of them all (the guy thinks Wishbone dressings are "health food" and 2 snickers and an ICEE make a great afternoon snack) , he said that if he had to pick between regular ranch dip and snowdrop's that he's be hard pressed to make a choice. He said it would really be 50/50...

[fruitandveggies]

Mmm, this sounds so good!! Is there something that would taste as good as cashews? My hubby has candida and apparently cashews are acid-forming. Perhaps sunflower seeds?

[Zaphirah]

I used macs, cashews and pine nuts. My guess is that if you used pine nuts you might want to go easy on the basil...they taste similar to me...but maybe I'm just a little bit crazy. :p

[rawererin]

could I use hemp seeds in place of the nuts?

[rawstrength]

fruitandveggies - I've made the ranch dressing using sunflower seeds and it was OK. It tasted good, but less creamy than the version using cashews. I mean, I liked it made with sunflower seeds, but it wouldn't fool SAD eaters.
I've found that using mostly sunflower seeds with a small amount of cashews (75% seeds, 25% nuts) gives the best combination of flavor, nutrition, and lower price.

Erin - I've never tried making this recipe with hemp seeds, but you could try it.

[TaupeRawMan]

I find chia seeds to have a similar consistancy to cashews.....

[rawstrength]

I find chia seeds to have a similar consistancy to cashews.....

Really?! Now that's something I've never tried. Do you soak the chia seeds first, or use them dry?

[TaupeRawMan]

Definitely soak. I used them for that deviled eggs recipe and thought it was great!

[Moretta]

Definitely soak.

How long do you soak your chia seeds for?

[TaupeRawMan]

I usually soak all nuts and seeds overnight. Almonds for 24 hrs.

[sherahtaylor]

I'm going to make this tonight but I ran out of dill. =( Do you think it'll still taste good, or is there a good sub? Dill is really unique so I doubt it but just thought I'd ask.

[contessa20]

I'm going to make this tonight but I ran out of dill. =( Do you think it'll still taste good, or is there a good sub? Dill is really unique so I doubt it but just thought I'd ask.

I've made it without the dill before and it tasted just fine. It's certainly better with it but it's okay without as well.

[pixie_333]

thank you soooooooooo much!!!! yet another recipe i was hoping for! i love love love ranch dip and dressing and can't wait to try this.

[cz213]

Thanks! I will have to add another to my list...it keeps growing.:D

[KPainter]

Having made this with only 2 Tablespoons of agave, I have to say it's really, really sweet. I would go easy on the agave (actually, I plan to leave it out altogther next time) when you make this, adding it to taste as you go.