Help please - Eggplant Parmesan

[islesgirl]

I am just wondering if I am supposed to soak all the nuts first? I don't think so since Alissa didn't specify but I thought I'd better check with you pros.

[rawrawks]

Soak nuts when possible. If the recipe calls for a dry powder from the nuts, then dry them out first after soaking. In dehy for a long time..hahaha

[anniez]

In the tips that Alissa gives right before the Recipes begin, she says to only soak nuts if the recipe specifically says to do so. Otherwise, use them raw.

Annie

(PS: Join us in the Alissa and Annie thread where I am uncooking my way through every one of Alissa's recipes. I mentioned this in that thread.)

[rawrawks]

From my understanding, many if not most nuts are highly indigestible. Soaking ahead of time makes them more readily available for digestion.

I look ahead of time and if the recipe calls for soaked nuts I put them out to soak at night. If it calls for not soaking then I use ones I have dried back out.

Takes a lil planning to get the nuts in their most disgestible form.

[ReneeH]

I've made this so many times and I've never soaked the nuts... In this dish, soaking the nuts may not give you the consistancy you want and it may not turn out the way Alissa meant it to be. If the nuts need to be soaked she'll tell you...trust Alissa!!! :)

[katchmoleen]

Here's what my theory is.....if nuts are going to be blended into something and then sit for awhile in the dehydrator, they will get "soaked" that way so presoaking is an unneccessary step. I would think the the soaking of the blended nuts would happen quicker than soaking whole nuts.

[rawrawks]

OOOPs I think what I was saying was misunderstood.

If the recipe calls for soaked nuts, they can be soaked and dreid and stored, ready for use dry.

If it calls for soaked then soak them right then. Either way they are soaked to aid in digestion.

This, from what Ihave seen, is one of the major points of raw life. Many have a hard time with heavy nut eating. This may be why. ALso they are heavy for the system anyway. SO why not make them as easy to digest as possible.

I would go so far to say that if one is not getting the weight loss results they are wanting, it may be the nuts and poor digestion.

Many people have poor digestion and dont even know it and sometimes it is due to the nuts. Ever hear rawbees say they are constipated. I have a firend who eats sooo well and all it seems that might be a problem is all the nuts she eats, not soaked. She gets sooo bound up.

I have been around alot of folks who studied this stuff for a long time and thats the word out there. And lastly but not leastly, it has worked for me...with profound results. Results speak loudly. In energy, in digestion, in weight loss,in body lightness and airiness, in mental clarity....etc.

But, all that been said, do what you do and if it works ,great! I just share what I have learned and works. Rawk on! Bestest to you.

[anniez]

rawrawks, I agree with you. I don't eat too many nuts or nut dishes because they just feel "heavy" to me. The longer I am raw, the more in tune I am with my body. Yesterday my body was screaming, "oranges, oranges, oranges!" A year ago I wouldn't have believed it!

Annie

[rawrawks]

I am finding this more so every day. Even when I taste the food I make for videos, I have a heavy feeling and dont feel as light and airy.

I couldnt edit my post above but I also wanted to say this about nuts. It is in the soaking and pouring off that water that makes them more digestible. Whatever part that isnt so digestible goes out with the water. So "soaking" them in a recipe isnt anyhwere near the same.

[rawrawks]

My soaking nuts photo...woohoooo

[islesgirl]

In the tips that Alissa gives right before the Recipes begin, she says to only soak nuts if the recipe specifically says to do so. Otherwise, use them raw.

Annie

(PS: Join us in the Alissa and Annie thread where I am uncooking my way through every one of Alissa's recipes. I mentioned this in that thread.)

Eek! Just saw these posts now. Thanks Annie. I've read her book but didn't remember that part. (Yet, I kept thinking that I'd read something to that effect somewhere). No matter. I over dehydrated the whole shebang and ate some, froze the rest, tried it again today and threw the whole thing out. Next time, hopefully, I'll get it right!:D

[islesgirl]

I've made this so many times and I've never soaked the nuts... In this dish, soaking the nuts may not give you the consistancy you want and it may not turn out the way Alissa meant it to be. If the nuts need to be soaked she'll tell you...trust Alissa!!! :)

Gotcha Renee. You sound very convincing. Maybe that is why it didn't turn out as I did soak them. :)

[islesgirl]

Here's what my theory is.....if nuts are going to be blended into something and then sit for awhile in the dehydrator, they will get "soaked" that way so presoaking is an unneccessary step. I would think the the soaking of the blended nuts would happen quicker than soaking whole nuts.

I agree katch - was thinking the same thing. It seems reasonable.

[islesgirl]

Nice photo Bette. You're all prepared aren't you. I agree that nuts are definitely hard to digest. I have found this to be so true for me. If I have them toward the end of the day, I don't sleep well. And I lose weight more slowly the more I eat of them. I don't crave them anyway, thankfully. I think I am going to keep in mind what Renee said about Alissa's comments in her book and also what you said about soaking them and drying them. I sure appreciate all your input on this. You are all very kind to take the time to post.;)

[islesgirl]

(yawning here :o) so my last posts might have sounded contradictory. So sorry guys, I am so sleepy. But I will get the hang of the nut prep. and I so appreciate your comments.

Sue.