BBQ squares

[Auntie L]

I have enjoyed reading this forum for so many months and have gotten some fabulous, tasty recipes from you folks. To thank, you here is one of my own constructions. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

For barbecue fanatics: this recipe will bring back everything you love about barbecue. It did for me. It's great for traveling, as you can dry the squares hard, but they still stay together pretty well. With a few of these in your bag, you need never be tempted by fast food joints.

BBQ Squares

1 C fresh tomatoes, chopped
1/4 C chopped onion
1/2 C dried tomatoes, soaked 15-30 min.
1/2 tsp minced garlic
1-2 tsp minced jalapeno
juice of 1 lemon or lime
2-4 Tblspoon agave nectar or honey
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground cloves
1/8 beet and/or 1/2 red bell pepper
1 tsp nama shoyu (soy sauce)

1.5 C raw walnuts
1.5 C raw cashews

Blend all but the nuts in a high-speed blender and pour into a mixing bowl. Chop the nuts in a food processor by pulsing the motor; leave them pretty chunky. Stir in the chopped nuts and adjust the seasonings, remembering that flavors intensify when the mix is dehydrated. Spread on teflex on dehydrator tray. Dehydrate until firm, slicing into squares and turning over onto screen, then dry until crunchy. Eat as a snack or as the main dish for a meal.

Notes: This recipe makes a very mild BBQ square a child can eat. Add more spices if you like it hot! The beet or bell pepper can be omitted, but I recommend either and usually use both for the rich red color they give the squares. I use home-dehydrated tomatoes, but you can use the storebought ones too. The recipe may look complicated because it has a lot of ingredients, but they go together fast and, man, is it good! You should be able to do the whole thing in the food processor, adding the nuts last. If you try that, let me know how it works. I served BBQ squares as the main dish (with a salad, raw corn on the cob, and dessert) to non-raw friends and they loved them so much I had to give them more to take home.

Bon appetit!
Auntie L

[Rawkinlocs]

Hi Auntie L!

This sounds like a delicious recipe and great for transitioners getting off of cooked, SAD food.

I'll be sure to try it and soon...sounds like it would be great with the KFC coleslaw recipe posted here and some fresh corn at a summer picnic!! Thanks!

[Auntie L]

Thanks, Rawkinlocs! Yes, the KFC coleslaw recipe would be just perfect!

[ktkat]

Thanks Auntie L,

This sounds sooo delicious, and perfect timing. I can't wait to try it

kate

[light&happy]

Hi, thanks for the recipe, I am going to try it tomorrow! Question, do you have to soak the nuts first?

Melissa

[TP]

sounds tastey.. thanks!

[mypinkbow]

How long did you dehydrate these for? Did anyone else try these? They sound yummy!

[Auntie L]

I thought that you should always soak walnuts, if you have the time (but see later note...). If you don't, I think that you can go ahead, they just might not be quite as nutritious. I'm not sure about cashews, but it doesn't hurt. I didn't time the dehydrating, but it took quite a while, because I make them a little thicker than crackers, so maybe about a day.

[mypinkbow]

How long do I need to soak the nuts?

[Auntie L]

I've been checking and found that it has been said in this forum that walnuts do not need soaking. I don't know yet how to imbed a link to another note, alas, but it was a reply by Rawpriestess, and this is what she said:

"PLEASE do NOT soak mac nuts, it ruins the beautiful flavor,same with pine nuts, walnuts and pecans, if you MUSt soak them, only do it for about 10 minutes.

but there is no need to soak these nuts, they don't have hardly any enzyme inhibitors."

If this is so (and I would like to think it so!), it will save oodles of time, plus give your food more flavor.

[Nini]

These taste fabulous!! It's just what I needed.

Thanks, Aunti L, for sharing this recipe.

[rawpriestess]

Auntie L, this sounds delicious.

and yes the nut soaking thingy is true.

I learned all about this in Victoria Boutenkos class years ago when I first went raw.

please soak cashews and almonds though.

[light&happy]

OK, these are SOOOOOOOOOOOOO good! My kids love them too, and my baby is only 11 months old! (he had them when they were 1/2 dehydrated and still warm and chewy). Thank you for the recipe!!

Melissa

[VibraTechJulie]

Thank you Auntie L for such a delicious recipe! I was licking the bowl and nibbling as they dehydrated I love, love, love this! It is now on my list of my standard recipes I will make again and again!

Raw Blessings,
Julie

[Rawkinlocs]

Mmmmm! I just made these last night (was eating it out of the bowl) and I had it twice today...once for breakfast and again at lunch.

I got up this morning and made the KFC coleslaw (recipe on this forum) to go with the barbeque and it was SO good!

I did end up adding a little more seasonings to the mix for my tastes...didn't have jalapeno so I just used cayenne.

But they're really good, esp. with the coleslaw!

I think next time I make them, I'll make a little extra of the "sauce" and either spread it on the done squares or dip it or something and maybe I'll grind the nuts a wee bit more. But the flavor is perfect!

Thanks again Auntie L! (I took a picture...will post it later)