trying to feed a friend!

[kidkid]

Hey y'all! I have a friend in from out of town who is a serious gourmande. She and I really used to love to eat together -- she's not picky, but she really has an appreciation for good satisfying food. She's had one experience with raw vegan cuisine at a restaurant, and she said it tasted bland to her. I've been eating mainly very simple salads and green smoothies, and so i'm having a hard time feeding her because she thinks it's bland.
I'd really like to treat her to a good raw vegan meal while she's here, partially to change her mind about the food, and partially to let her see why I'm doing it. I think she thinks I'm being self-punishing or that I'm fad dieting, and I'd really like to convince her that i'm enjoying myself. But I'd like to illustrate what's so awesome about it and show her that it isn't bland at all!

So i'm coming here for some simple, good recipe suggestions.
Her favorite thing is Japanese food -- the subtle, perfect, savory flavors and the amazing presentation. She's also a huge sauce fan (tamari, marinara, alfredo, peanut etc). She loves italian food, noodles, spaghetti, salty sauces, miso soups, all soup really. She loves macrobiotic food, cooked greens, savory-gingery-garlicy dishes, all types of vegan fare like the fake meats and stuff. I rarely see her eat anything cold. She's not one for fruit, cereal, salsa, or gazpacho. But yeah, by far savory sauces are the most important thing! She's the sauce queen.

any ideas would be much appreciated! thanks!

[spicyfull]

My Best to you.....Seems like you have a Job on your Hands.

[RawLibrarian]

Raw sushi--veggies wrapped in nori. Dipping sauce made from nama shoyu (yeah yeah not 100% raw but tons of raw chefs use it), fresh ginger, garlic and sesame oil (ditto what I wrote about the nama shoyu).

I know I have seen recipes for raw kimchee.

Make a marinated kale salad (wilt the kale w/ salt and EVOO; mush in 1/2 to 1 avocado; mix in chopped scallions and tomatoes--I use little grape tomatoes; add about 1/4 tsp. (or more to taste) of a spice of some sort--I like cayenne or chipotle or curry powder or Chinese 5-spice powder; add juice of half a lemon; stir). This is a really good salad with a nice spicy kick.

I don't have Alissa's book with me but I am sure she has sauces galore.

A couple of Indian guys have a raw website--it's called Roshi's. There are some good Indian recipes on the site.

Check Alissa's book and raw recipes online. I think this could be a fun thing to do--and you might find yourself making some new favorites.

[iluvmangos]

Nori wraps rolled up with Alissa's Mock Salmon Pate (p. 380) and veggies (shredded carrtos, chopped cucumber, alfalfa sprouts, etc.) dipped in Alissa's Ginger Vinaigrette (p. 480) or with some of it drizzled in before it's rolled up.

Serve the wraps along side a nice big salad with veggies galore in it and topped with Alissa's Smooth and Creamy Avocado Dressing (p. 478) OR serve the wraps along side Alissa's Marinated Greens (p. 301). I sure hope you have the book.

[iluvmangos]

I know I have seen recipes for raw kimchee.



There's a recipe for Kim-Chi in Alissa's book on p. 299. It's awesome in the nori wraps with the Mock Salmon Pate instead of the other veggies I mentioned before.