Ideas for a curried ethnic recipes?

[Beanie]

Tomorrow I end my fast. I have been craving ethiopian spiced lentils. Does anybody have a raw version that I can enjoy? :o The fast has intensified cooked flavors for some reason.

BTW, sprouted beans don't digest well and I don't think lentil do either, but any ideas would be greatly appreciated by me.

I think I'm addicted to seasoning. :( Been getting to many cravings for highly spiced foods.

[Gosia]

this is probably not what you would like to hear, but me thinks that the cravings that you are experiencing are the sign of your body detoxing some stuff that you have eaten in the past. So, the best option seems to be to avoid these things. Ouch! Sorry. Do you think you could break your fast with something that is easy on your tummy?

Best,
Gosia.

[LNdolls]

I suspect Gosia is quite right.. and if that is not enough for you, why not try the Indian Spinach dip?? I found it takes care of the craving for spicy for me.
Best,
LN

[Beanie]

You guys are probably right! I think these cravings are coming from foods I used to eat and love. I guess it is better to stay away from them but I'll try the spinach dip. Guess I'll stick to light foods tomorrow night. Might break it early with an apple tonight. I don't feel well.

Think I might start the 30 day 100%. That might be easy in comparison to a water fast now!! I hope so. So how do you start the journaling? I'm going to click on 30 day raw challenge and try to see if I can figure it out, but right now I feel a need to get extra sleep!! Cravings are hard though......

[exurb]

one idea for a base instead of legumes is soaked raw sunflower seeds, with some soaked sundried tomato, then whichever ethnic spices you want, and some cayenne. You can let the sunflower seeds sprout for a short while too.

You could maybe make some fake rice with jicama, or serve with sprouted crackers, something like that.

I don't see any reason why you couldn't have spicy raw food, if spicy is something you love.

[Sasha1200]

from what i've read it's best to break the fast slowly. it's usually best to break it with oj diluted with water and work up to smoothies and then fruit and salad. when you break your fast too fast with heavy foods it shocks your system and can also lead to binging. here's a link to breaking a fast...

http://www.freedomyou.com/fasting_book/how%20to%20break%20a%20fast.htm

[Beanie]

Thanks everyone for the reply......its only a half hour to go for the full 72 hour fast! I'm breaking it with oranges tonight. Any hints on how many? I think tomorrow will be fruit and smoothies. Would it be OK since I was drinking coconut water to put a tbsp of the meat in the smoothie or is that not ok? And can I eat greens on Friday? It was only a three day fast but I don't want to jump in too quickly.

So are spices that bad? And how long does it take to get over those cravings?

I do have a major miracle to tell you guys......I DON"T crave breads anymore!!!!!! ITs a miracle!! I am allergic to gluten and have had intense cravings for breads. When I went to pick up oranges, I was looking at the breads and they WEREN"T talking to me. Just craving flavors, seasonings and fats I guess. But at least I can maintain raw for the most part. Just need to work on some recipes. But I guess I should try for less seasoned foods. Any hints on this would be greatly appreciated. Guess I'm addicted to eating, lol!

[Beanie]

Also on jicama for rice. I made it once in the food processor and didn't care for it much. Is there a special way to prepare it? I guess it would help if I dehydrated it??

[rawpriestess]

When breaking a fast, I suggest juice, but a more mild juice like cantaloupe or honeydew mellon, and water.

then add some more fruits, like a banana.

As for the rice, I use cauliflower only, it is the best rice, I know of.

I also use tons of spices in my dishes, I dehydrate most myself, so I know they are raw, and only the best parts of the plants, not stems etc.

Actually the spices are the nuts and seeds of the plant, and the bark, and stuff, herbs are the leaves, just FYI.

I love spicy herby foods mmmmmmm, makes my world go around.

I also find almonds make a good bean or lentil substitute, as I don't like beans and lentils sprouted at all. they taste green or something.

But I do like almonds instead. so I just sub those in there.

Great on your fast, how wonderful to be rid of those bread cravings. YES!!!

[Beanie]

Thanks so much Raw Priestess! Boy breaking this fast has been very difficult! On the negative side, the fast has intensified cravings for spices and flavors and intensified hunger. I'm not sure if its because I'm underweight to begin with or just my body was in shock from the lack of food and freaking out right now. But I have been obsessively thinking about food. Especially Ethiopian.

Well, the fruit was just like adding kerosene to my fire, and the food obsessions were driving me CRAZY! I had no prepared food in the house so since I though fat would cause me problems, I tried to make flavored broth. Then the hunger took over and I got some supposedly low fat version of the Spicy lentils with greens. Now I'm all in stomach and intestinal cramps and feel lousy!! Plus I'm so ANGRY at myself. I have no self control..... :(

Any hints?

I'll try the cauliflower since the jimaca didn't rock my boat the first time around. Wonderful idea! Just put in the food processor I assume?

I guess I'll have to come up with some more raw versions. I think I'll start the 30 days thing Monday. The hard part will be to give up the cup of tea on cold days and broth. Usually I have been virtually 100% Except some spices I'm sure. Guess I'm addicted to those, but I'll be honest, I live to eat. I enjoy food!

Just wondering, since nuts can be too heavy at times, I guess its best just to limit my portions then? I love the fatty prepared meals! And I do love lentils, just not the raw ones that I've tasted.

Thanks for the help, I sure do need it!

[Sharon in Colorado]

There's a great chili recipe floating around here, if you use curry spices instead of the chili, it will be just like a curried dish.

Here it is, now you don't have to search for it:

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1231&highlight=chili

In addition to using curry, portobello mushrooms would work really well here (and maybe even some coconut milk).

[Beanie]

Thanks for the curried chili recipe! It looks easy which is a big bonus for me......I'll make it this weekend. :D Yummy!