Alissa's Chili

[SamuelWilson]

Here is a picture of Alissa's Chili.

[SamuelWilson]

Let me share with you some modifications. First, I just decided to leave the sprouted barley out. I just doubled the amount of green bell pepper, red onion, and corn kernels to make up for it. It worked out great doing this. It goes with out saying, I added extra cayenne. SURPRISE SURPRISE.

This stuff looks like SAD chili in a bowl. I liked it. I never was a chili person even before becoming raw vegan. If you like chili, you will like this. Also, I want to add, if you are the only who eats raw in your house, do not make the full size recipe. I made a half size and even that was large. Full size calls for 10 tomatoes!!!

[Ariannah]

Thank you for posting this picture! I really like having a visual reference when making a recipe. It seems to inspire me even more. Like when I watched disc 1 of Alissa's DVD. So thank you for posting pics of recipes you've made. I appreciate it.

How did the chili taste?

[SamuelWilson]

The chili was very good. I have been eating Alissa's soups at room temperature. I honestly want to migrate away from warming things. Even the pesto stuff mushrooms I have been eating have been at room temperature with out any use of the dehydrator. I may not continue with this "no warming" phase, but I feel that maybe I should. Anyone care to add any light on that?

[Raw_Medic]

Hi Samuel,

I understand the concern for not warming too. I generally don't warm because of the lazy factor...lol However, I know that Storm and Jinjee don't warm at all. They don't believe in dehydrating. They say whether you cook at high heat for a short amount of time or low heat for a long time you are still killing enzymes, and the water loss isn't good either.

Now, I know this is Alissa's site, and she condones(sp) using the dehydrator. Most raw foodist seem to think that eating dehydrated foods as a mainstay during the transistion phase is acceptable, but that eventually you'll phase these out and move on to more raw and eventually more whole foods. I agree, I see myself migrate to more whole foods, however I do enjoy "un-cooking" once in a while too.

As for the original intent of the thread...that chili looks great!!

[SamuelWilson]

Raw_Medic, would you agree that breads and crackers would be out of the picture if you decided not to use a dehydrator. Honestly, I do not see how they would be possible. I would have no problem doing with out them. Am I correct to think that no dehydrator means no breads and crackers?

[SamuelWilson]

I just added cumin, I knew it was missing something. It is now "Santa Fe Chili"

[Raw_Medic]

Samuel,
yeah, I'm pretty sure it would be no breads or crackers...I don't think it would be too difficult though, especially if your in "that place" for a change to a bit purer diet. I haven't eaten any raw breads (mostly cuz I'm defunct with my dehydrator skills), I usually use lettuce leaves. but yes, I would agree with you on this point.

Cumin! You're making me hungry for chile and it's only 8:40am!

[Raw_Medic]

Samuel,
I'll have to look again, but I think that Storm and Jinjee have a sun-manna bread recipe...I suppose if you were to use the sun for baking that would be ok. You would probably do well with that...me on the other hand....lol

[Ariannah]

I've actually got a dehydrator on order (should be arriving any day now), but my own personal diet will not include much, if any, dehydrated food. This is mostly for the benefit of my family who are interested in eating healthier for various health reasons.

I, like Storm, see dehydrating as a form of "cooking". However, I believe it is safe, as it is likened to the temperature of the sun baking foods in hot climates. In many hot countries people have left things out to bake in the sun naturally. Another difference between dehydrating and cooking is that the temperature never reaches acrylamide forming heat. So I believe it is an entirely safe transitional measure.

Currently I eat a few dehydrated things like figs, and organic coconut meat. But the remainder of my own diet is fresh. I'm very satisfied with fruits/some veg and greens and occasionally seeds (hemp, almonds, sesame, etc). Alissa has a lot of beautiful instant recipes which will satisfy (as I saw on disc 1 and in the book so far). From time to time I may sample what I've made from the dehydrator but that's about it..... ok I will admit it, I am looking forward to sampling a bready enchilada style "wrap", but I did see Alissa's demo of collard and lettuce wraps as well, (which I've seen but never done) but every now and then it would be an enjoyable treat.

[Halo Aglow]

Samuel, thanks for posting this and your modifications about leaving out the sprouted barley! That is extremely helpful to know that it will still taste good when you just double up on the other ingredients you listed!!!!

As for warming, I have been noticing I do not like to warm my food up anymore (as in on top or inside the dehydrator in sandwich bags). Like with the spicy refried beans I made for my raw tortillas/tacos, I enjoyed them better straight out of the food processor, with a slight coolness to them. Maybe it was the combo of cool and spicy, I don't know. I just know that the flavor seemed more alive and destinctive straight out of the food processor.

[SamuelWilson]

Ever since I became a raw vegan, I did away with the SAD system altogether. This means if I want chili for breakfast, then so be it. The system of fruit for breakfast no longer applies. I just did away with entire system, including 3 meals a day, cake on your birthday, turkey and turkey related meals on thansgiving, the whole shabang, gone.

I eat when I am hungry and I eat what I want when I am hungry. It must be raw and vegan, but other than that, anything goes.

[SamuelWilson]

An idea for thanksgiving is to go to a turkey farm and buy a turkey and then give it a good home where it won't turn into a meal. I think it is good to find other ways to celebrate than to eat.

[Ariannah]

I agree with you with regards to Thanksgiving. Canadian Thanksgiving was Oct 10th, and we did not have anything "special" to eat on that day. Our Thanksgiving revolved around actually practising/giving the gift of thankfulness and gratitude... We plan on doing the same around Christmas. The children will receive some gifts on a budget, and our meal will be simple - not the kind where you're needing to take a nap after.

So much of our culture signifies special events around certain types of food.

I also agree with you SamuelWilson regarding convention and food! I have eaten savoury things for breakfast if I felt like it. Like Alissa says, "eat what you want when you want it". I've also had days where I didn't feel like eating until 1 in the afternoon... whereas other days I'll eat something every couple hours...