Broccoli & Cheese

[SamuelWilson]

Has anyone made Alissa's Broccoli & Cheese? If so, tell me about your reviews and the responses you received from your friends and/or family.

[Revvell]

I've made it; I love it. One of her best recipes in my opinion.

R.

[SamuelWilson]

Here is a picture of my broccoli and cheese before it went in the dehydrator for 5-6 hours at 105 degrees.

[angelandarose]

OMG! :O That looks GREAT! .... going right now to get the recipe and make some of this. ;)


THANKS!
Love,
Angie

[SamuelWilson]

I did want to mention some modifications I made to Alissa's recipe for Broccoli and Cheese. First of all, the amount of cheese made based on 3 to 4 cups of broccoli is plenty. I only used 1/3 of a cup of the cheese for my 3 to 4 cups of broccoli. I added some sunflower oil to the mix as it was blending to make it a little more thinner just so I could pour it better. I also added a teaspoon of celtic salt. It definitely made it better.

I would like to mention that this is one of those recipes that really does come out better in the dehydrator. It allows the broccoli to soften a bit and it allows the cheese to set. It really does look like cheddar cheese sauce. The presentation is great. This is closer to SAD than the mock mashed potatoes and gravy.

Also, if you take this cheese sauce and then add some diced red bell peppers and green bell peppers, you would have a nice mock pimento cheese. It actually kind of reminded me of pimento cheese.

[blessed]

Please help me. Right now we are in a money crunch and I will be ordering the book as soon as I can.
Please help me out with the recipe, if possible. I have been trying to come up with something to do with the broccoli before it goes bad.
Thank you so much

Ann

[SamuelWilson]

blessed, I have read your request and as much as I would like to give you the recipe, I am really unsure. Someone will give you the recipe, just can't be me. It is Alissa's book and I have to respect that. However, if you use the search option and come up with it yourself, then that is ok.

[kmik]

waaaa! I lent my mother my book while we're waiting for hers to arrive, and she's not home :(

Your cheese looks so good! I MUST make some!

[Doe]

Blessed, here is a link to a cheddar type cheese. Put it over the broccoli before dehydrating instead of making slices. If you have too much, make slices too.

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4839&highlight=Cheddar+Cheese

Teri S

[mandarin honey]

That looks so good. I have to try this.

[Autumn]

Samuel,
I have made this several times and I love it. However, I will try your modifications next time as my cheese was hard to pour. You are becoming quite the raw chef. :D

[SamuelWilson]

Thanks Autumn, I liked it. It went down pretty fast though so I wasn't really able to judge the flavor. I don't even think I chewed.

However, nothing can beat those pesto stuffed mushrooms. Even my non-raw house guest like them.

For today, I had a papaya, half a watermelon, some strawberries, my usual half gallon of almond milk, broccoli and cheese, lemonade sweetened with agave, dates, 2 glasses of orange juice and then some baby carrots.

[lady godiva]

so glad you mentioned about the pimiento cheese, Sam: even though I will most likely not eat that again in this lifetime, STILL, I have those childhood emotional associations with it which is probably why I crave it now and then....-Hil

[blessed]

Teri,
Thank you so very much, I found it and now I can make it for my husband.
You are so nice to have helped me.
I can slowly see myself changing my eating pattern and I am feeling much better.
Again, thank you so much.

Ann

[Doe]

You're welcomed Ann. It is a process for sure. Glad you can see progress.

Teri S

[SamuelWilson]

Hi everyone, I wanted to share with you my adjustments to the Broccoli and Cheese. It was so good, I had to work to perfect it.

First, I marinated the 3 to 4 cups of broccoli in 1 to 2 cups of organic e.v. cold pressed olive oil with a couple teaspoons of celtic sea salt. (I mixed the celtic sea salt in with the oil before I poured the oil into the Ziploc bag I was marinating the broccoli in) This absolutely made a world of difference, the broccoli was flavorful and moist, it really really helped.

With the cheese sauce, which already taste good, don't let the ingredients fool you. After you get it all mixed together, it really does have a cheese taste. Well, this time around, I added half and half olive oil and organic cold pressed sunflower oil with about a teaspoon of Redmond Sea Salt until I got the right consistency. (Redmond Sea Salt is a natural sea salt like celtic sea salt, accept this salt comes from an ancient salt deposit near the small town of Redmond, Utah) This particular salt has a very pleasant taste that really worked great in this mock cheese.

All in all, this turned out great, I mean great. Any non-raw person will eat this. They may not be happy with the 105, but other than the temperature issue, it is good. Oh, and so much better for you. I mean dairy cheddar cheese is not healthy.

Here is new picture, it just looks so much more appetizing in this picture to me and you could taste the difference.

[Doe]

How long did you marinate?

Teri S

[SamuelWilson]

Teri S, I marinated my broccoli for one hour. Broccoli is a rigid vegetable and doesn't exactly have the same absorbency strength as lets say a mushroom. So I really feel you should go for the hour if you can. However, any amount of time is better than nothing. Even if you only just poured the oil in and swished it around for a few minutes, it would help I think. It is all personal preference, but the broccoli and cheese went from being "good" to being "great" after my modifications.

[Sharon in Colorado]

Did you try to rinse off the oil afterward? Obviously I haven't tried it, but it seems like it would leave a residue and heavy taste.

[SamuelWilson]

Sharon in Colorado, actually it did not leave a heavy taste. It makes it taste like steamed broccoli sautéed in butter. You could take it out of the Ziploc bag and put it in a bowl on top of some folded up paper towels to soak up the extra oil, however, I would not rinse it. My objective was to mimic SAD broccoli and cheese and I felt my modifications did that. I tested in on a non-raw person and they wolfed it down. However, they threw it in the microwave against my will. They didn't eat dairy cheese or dairy butter like they would have in SAD broccoli and cheese though.

You might try it with a lighter oil if you do not particularly like the taste of cold pressed olive oil.

The reason I make this extra effort is an attempt to convert people to raw. If I can show people that you can still have great tasting meals, they might be more likely to convert over to raw foodism. Also, I personally like better tasting meals just like anyone would. If I can come up with my own little modifications to similate SAD, then I do not see any harm in that. Like I always say...

"DON'T HEAT IT, JUST EAT IT"

[Autumn]

"DON'T HEAT IT, JUST EAT IT"

Love it!!! :D

You must be a much more gentler soul than I. I think I would have had to smack-down someone who put the broccoli in the microwave after all that work. :p It does look awesome and once again I will try your modifications.

Is it your friends or family that you're trying to convert? Has anyone expressed more than a passing interest, or a desire to try 100% or even high raw?

[RawTruth]

blessed, I have read your request and as much as I would like to give you the recipe, I am really unsure. Someone will give you the recipe, just can't be me. It is Alissa's book and I have to respect that. However, if you use the search option and come up with it yourself, then that is ok.What an honorable person you are. If I wore one, my hat would be off to you!

Your modifications sound delicious, too. That's what's so great about learning to prepare the recipes -- after your skill level builds, you have the skill to play around and adapt the recipes so easily and naturally.

I agree with Autumn, though - if someone microwaved a raw food dish, I don't know if I could stand it. Oh wait ... I got rid of my microwave ... :D I've seen Kirlian images of microwaved food and they're s-c-a-r-y!

.

[SamuelWilson]

Autumn, glad you like my slogan, "DON'T HEAT IT, JUST EAT IT".

As far as the microwave ordeal goes, it is a free world and I do not want to force anyone to do anything they don't want to do. I rather them heat up a raw meal in the microwave, because at least it is still vegan and not SAD. I had one business acquaintance eat the broccoli and cheese at 105 like me. It actually ends up being around 89 by the time you actually sit down at the bar or table to eat it. Oh, and it is mostly friends who I am trying to convert to raw. I actually need to come up with a different word than "convert" when I am trying to get people to go raw. It sounds like I am trying to force a religion on someone. Most of the people that I have tried to convert do find the subject of raw food interesting. People ask me if I miss "heated" food. I tell them you can have "warm" food, it is not like you have to eat something out of the fridge. I explain to them that a dehydrator is also a food warmer and that it doesn't mean you only eat dried fruits out of a dehydrator. I explain that you can set a bowl of raw soup in the dehydrator to warm it up. They do listen when I talk, however, a person has to slow down and plan a raw food approach if you want to succeed. You know, you actually need to plan anything to succeed for the most part. I feel quite a few people need hands on assistance and training to get them to convert to raw. Alissa's seminars are probably a good thing to invite your friends to. I mean people want simplicity and they don't want to have to do too much thinking. I am serious, this is why convenience food is so successful, you just buy it and eat it. McDonald's didn't become the largest fast food chain in the world for no reason.

RawTruth, I am glad you respected my decision about not giving out a recipe from Alissa's book in the forum. I felt bad and was confused about my decision, but I wanted to do the right thing. If it was not for the sale of the book there would be no Raw Food Talk. Now if it would have been someone asking for the recipe to almond milk, that is one thing, but the cheeses required a little more thought to come up with. For things like that, I encourage people to purchase Alissa's book. In addition, anyone ambitious enough can google any recipe they are looking for.

As far as the microwave goes, I have thought about throwing it out. However, I have to be able to accommodate non-raw people in my home. This is why I keep it here. I mean it is not like I had my stove removed either. I mean, I have the equipment to cook whatever a person wants, I just personally don't use it.

I want to add that I think the broccoli and cheese modification I made might go better if you marinate the broccoli in a lighter oil. I was ok with the olive oil but I realize it can be too strong of a flavor for some. The oil adds that sauteed in butter taste.

[SedonaSun]

Hi Samuel...

Instead of "convert" how about "awakening them to raw food"? Or "inspire to raw"? :rolleyes:

[RawTruth]

I am against proselytizing myself, so I do understand where you're coming from, Samuel. As I said in another thread -- it's really all about the food. Make yummy food for them -- without emphasizing that's it's raw -- and they'll remain open to it. Your enthusiasm and vital good health will draw them to you. I find that the more casual I am about it (while allowing my excitement to naturally show), the more people are drawn to the lifestyle.

[SamuelWilson]

I made the broccoli & cheese again and wanted to remind everyone not to forget about it. You should try this if you have not. The cheese is actually very good, I was surprised at how to good it taste.

[jenna rose]

Thanks for bumping this thread. I hadn't seen it before. I definitely will try this out soon!

[ladybug]

Sharon in Colorado, actually it did not leave a heavy taste. It makes it taste like steamed broccoli sautéed in butter. You could take it out of the Ziploc bag and put it in a bowl on top of some folded up paper towels to soak up the extra oil, however, I would not rinse it. My objective was to mimic SAD broccoli and cheese and I felt my modifications did that. I tested in on a non-raw person and they wolfed it down. However, they threw it in the microwave against my will. They didn't eat dairy cheese or dairy butter like they would have in SAD broccoli and cheese though.

You might try it with a lighter oil if you do not particularly like the taste of cold pressed olive oil.

The reason I make this extra effort is an attempt to convert people to raw. If I can show people that you can still have great tasting meals, they might be more likely to convert over to raw foodism. Also, I personally like better tasting meals just like anyone would. If I can come up with my own little modifications to similate SAD, then I do not see any harm in that. Like I always say...

"DON'T HEAT IT, JUST EAT IT"

This sounds really good looks even better but I can not get mac nuts at "Natural Food Store" and they are very expensive off internet. Soooo what do you think cashews?

[SamuelWilson]

This sounds really good looks even better but I can not get mac nuts at "Natural Food Store" and they are very expensive off internet. Soooo what do you think cashews?

Ladybug, in my opinion, I would say substitute the macadamia nuts with pine nuts if you can't get macadamia nuts. I realize that it already has pine nuts in the recipe, so you would just be adding more pine nuts to make up for the lack of macadamia nuts. I have not tried the recipe this way, I have no idea how it will turn out. I really think macadamia nuts are important. I mean if you could find them, you only need half a cup (2 to 3 oz, which you could hold in the palm of your hand).

[jenna rose]

hmm. the walnuts and sesame seeds sound pretty good.

i think i'm still going to try to do it with the macs/pine nuts, though. The macs around here aren't totally raw but for this one time and since I am feeding it to a bunch of SADers so.... i can't wait to try this out, though!

[Rawadventures]

Oh yummy... I finally made the broccoli and cheese! SamuelWison's pics inpsired me! WOO HOO.. this stuff is soooooooooooo yummy. I marinated my broccoli too. Now, my cheese sauce could be a bit thinner, but my cheapy appliances did not get it really smooth. Still, sooo yummy. This is good. It seems like I cannot get enough of this stuff... I was eating it before it even went into the dehydrator!!!

[Raw Jewelrylady]

Samuel, You've done it again... WOW, does that look great. I am so glad you reported your modifications, as when I made this a few weeks ago, I could only eat a little due to the dryness of the broccoli. What a great idea to marinate !!!YEAH ... :p

About the issue of giving out Aissa's recipes, I have had this come up w/me & I will not give them out either. I feel that her book/dvd combo changed my life & is a super bargain, not to mention the web-site she has provided for all of us to share & learn.
thanks for sharing these great tips,

Lana

PS. I was speaking w/a produce dept manager yesterday about hot peppers/jalepenas/ serranos, etc. & he said ( out of the blue) & I quote "whatever you do , don't let anyone talk you into biting into a habernero pepper." I just started laughing...Told him I have an internet friend who eats them whole as a garnish w/gazpacho. He was Quite Impressed... LOL :cool:

[SamuelWilson]

Glad everyone approves of my modifications for the broccoli & cheese. Kind of thinking about it now, I didn't have a craving for it until I read this thread.

[vegggeeemom]

I made this up tonight and it is so good. Oh my gosh! I cannot even believe it is raw.
The changes that Samuel made to it are divine! I have it in the dehydrator right now and it won't be done until midnight. But, I'm setting my alarm so I can test it out and put it away.
I am just so thrilled that I finally tried this. I can't wait to test it out on SAD eaters!
Wow, just wow!
So far Samuel, each recipe I've tried I have not been disappointed at all in the outcome!

Thanks!

Pam

[SamuelWilson]

vegggeeemom, you have inspired me, I shall go buy some broccoli now :)

[vegggeeemom]

Awesome! ;) I'm so glad to have FINALLY inspired someone to do something. :D

Now, this answer could be in this thread and I read it through..well skimmed it through, but what do you do with the left over cheese? I can eat it straight from the spoon, but thought it might be a good idea to actually do something with it!

Pam


vegggeeemom, you have inspired me, I shall go buy some broccoli now :)

[weirdestpersonalive]

Hey Pam,
I know what you can do with the extra cheese... ;) Save it till tomorrow and we can have this broccoli and cheese dish for lunch tomorrow! ;) Now, if that ain't a plan, I don't know what is!
...see u tomorrow....;)

[SamuelWilson]

Awesome! ;) Now, this answer could be in this thread and I read it through..well skimmed it through, but what do you do with the left over cheese? I can eat it straight from the spoon, but thought it might be a good idea to actually do something with it!
Pam

vegggeeemom (Pam), I actually make smaller portions now. The amount called for in Alissa's recipe is a lot. I just make half of the cheese recipe.

Left over cheese would go outside for the wildlife. They like most of this stuff, as long as it has oil in it for fats. If I just leave some lettuce out there or something, the rabbit will eat it.

[vegggeeemom]

I made it up and tried it this morning. I ruined it. :( I added too much salt to the broccoli/oil mixture. It still tastes good and I can tell it will be it if I don't put too much salt in there. The cheese is good, but I ruined the broccoli by too much salt.
Any way to fix it now?!
Oh, I'll put the cheese outside then and see what wildlife we can attract. Seeing that we live right next to a kind of busy street, not sure what we will muster up though.

Pam

[Aasyah]

:eek: I love broccoli and cheese i must try this one :-) i see more and more my food palet will be full of my favorites transformed to raw :D

Aasyah

[vegggeeemom]

Finally made this recipe right and oh my gosh. It is so very good.
Wow, tastes like steamed broccoli and the cheese is so good. I could use that as a dip. LOL
Broccoli is so cheap right now at one of our stores and I need to really take advantage of that.
It just really hit the spot today.

I didn't want the cheese "set", I wanted the cheese to be just poured over the broccoli.

So, I dehydrated the broccoli and poured the cheese over after I put on my plate ready to serve up. It was perfect. Just what I was looking for and I have to admit, I could eat quite a bit of this dish!

Thanks for your modifications Samuel. As usual, they were perfect!

Pam

[SamuelWilson]

vegggeeemom, so glad it worked out for you. Every time I look at this thread now, it makes me want to go get some broccoli.

[Rawadventures]

Broccoli, Broccoli everywhere. My dh was working late tonight and I called him to tell him I was running to the store. He asked for what and I said "broccoli". He said....."Didn't I JUST bring you home two things of broccoli". (Sheesh, that was like two days ago!!!) HEE HEE HEE HEE HEE I said "YUP... I will be back in a few!" :D I love, love, love. love the broccoli marinated with the habanero...

Oh... I am feeling the need to get some broccoli on to marinate....the three things I just bought won't last long... I can tell already! :rolleyes: This broccoli REALLY hits the spot!

Vegggeeemom, I am SO glad yours turned out and that you liked it! I know it will be one of your favorites now! I bet your kiddos would even eat it... IF you would share! ;)

[samadhisoul]

i'm gonna try this one for dinner. my kiddos love broccoli and i have still been steaming it for them...hopefully this will go over well.

[greenfeline]

This is definately a new favorite of mine! I just made it over the weekend. Next time I might water it down a bit and use a little less nuts. The cheese sauce was thick but incredible!!!!!!

[rawpriestess]

gotta' try this one for sure