Alissa and Annie - NOT Julie and Julia

[smasty]

I'm here! Keep up the good work! I've got to go pull out my book and look at the recipes you're making! I do remember making the potatoes/gravy and they were really good.

[anniez]

Thanks for checking in, Smasty. Let us know what you think of any recipes you try!

Yesterday was fun and full of scrumptious food!

Marinated Portobellas in Ginger Vinaigrette. The Ginger Vinaigrette is also given in the dressing section of the book as a separate recipe, so that was recipe 25. These were really, really good. The Ginger Vinaigrette is also delicious on its own. The recipe says to put the mushrooms on the mesh sheet, but they were really wet and I didn’t want to wipe the vinaigrette off, so I put them on the teflex sheet. It seemed a good move, because the teflex sheet was pretty wet. I have a couple of salad dressing hints. First, if you don’t have things like onion, garlic, ginger, etc. that need to be blended, a great thing to do is just shake it up in a glass jar. You can then store it in that jar. Second, if you do have onion, garlic, ginger, etc., put everything in a wide-mouth canning jar and use an immersion blender. Same deal: store the dressing in the jar. Voila: nothing to wash except the blender which easily rinses off!

Spicy Fries. These were really good but the only resemblance to fries was the look. I would call them something else. I thought the marinade was too oily. Next time I make this I will use half the oil and rather than the chili and cayenne I will try it with some Herbamare. Jicima is kind of sweet anyway, and the honey made it really sweet. Rather than the spicy, I want to try salty. A tip: measure the oil first and then the honey. With the oil coating the measuring cup the honey slips right out.

Tomato, Mushroom, and Basil Salad. I suspected I would love this, and I was right! I deviated the directions a little: I mixed up the dressing in a bowl, and then added the tomatoes and mushrooms . Saved dirtying that extra bowl! This is my kind of food – quick, light, and delicious! This will become a staple because it’s so easy and doesn’t call for any exotic ingredients!
I didn’t get the buckwheat started yesterday, so it is soaking now. I intend to make Burger Buns and Calzone crust with it, but that won’t be until tomorrow or Thursday. Will have to see how long it takes to sprout.

Today:

Recipe 26 – Blueberry Pie Pg 484

Recipe 27 – Whipped Cream Pg 324 the grape juice variation

Recipe 28 – Sweet Apple Nori Rolls Pg 405

Looks like a sweet day, doesn’t it?

Annie

[Veganforlife]

Hey Annie - not to butt in, but look:

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=54420

Maybe we'll get a lot of folks trying her scrumptuous recipes? What do you think?

[somelikeitraw]

Hi Annie! Your adventure is really helping me see that there is so much more I could be eating even without a dehydrator!

Love your tips too!

I watch Food Network and a few other "cooking" shows, have for years, even before there was a food network, LOL! I enjoy Chopped and since going raw have come up with several wild (virtual) dishes using the mystery ingredients. Wouldn't fly on the show though 'cause they're all raw.

I made a version of Alissa's Lentil Cups, Pg. 463, a while ago. I didn't have any bell pepper or cilantro, so I used asparagus and flat leaf parsley instead. I didn't put it in leaves but ate it right out of the bowl. I call it Lentil Salad to Live for! I did dress it with Mrs. Ackerly's Dressing, as suggested. My book says that dressing is on Pg. 473, but it is really on Pg. 481, at least in my copy. This has become one of my very favoritist dressings! It is one of the bestest!

Thanks for taking me on this adventure with you!

[anniez]

Veganforlife, glad to have you along! I love Alissa's recipes and am having fun doing this. My book is getting pretty marked up and is looking pretty loved! I hope more people will try the recipes and check in and let us know what they think!

Hey, somelikeitraw, thanks for checking in. Glad to know you’re along for the ride. Thanks for the review of Lentil Cups. I have some lentils, so will try this soon. My book says Mrs. Ackerly’s Dressing is on Pg 481, and that’s where it is. Hmm, your book must be older than mine. I have an older book in my other home, so I’ll check that when I get there. Sounds like you are a pretty creative cook. Good for you. I am getting there, but for now I am staying true to Alissa’s recipes. When I have worked my way through the book I know I will be able to do lots of food without a recipe. I feel like I am going to culinary school in my own kitchen with Alissa as my teacher! And it helps that every recipe is just so good!

I got a new kitchen toy. Have you seen the Ninja? It has a pitcher and a small food processor unit. I will use the small food processor for salad dressings, mainly. I used the pitcher instead of my blender to make the Blueberry Pie filling and it did a good job! What I love most about it is how easy it is to clean. A real plus in my book. Sometimes I have trouble getting my Blendtec clean – it’s hard to get under the blade. Any hints, anybody?
Yesterday I soaked buckwheat. Within a couple of hours the water was cloudy and kind of frothy. Is that normal? This morning I’ve got some little tails, so I think it’s on track. I’ve soaked buckwheat before and don’t remember the frothing.

The Blueberry Pie is amazing! It really looks like the real thing. Well, that was a silly statement, since it IS the real thing. It’s better than any Blueberry Pie I’ve ever had, and I’ve had my share since I love Blueberry Pie. The filling set up nicely, so it slices beautifully. I will be taking it when I go to SAD potlucks. The Whipped Cream variation made with grape juice is very thin. If you try it, start with less juice. It’s good – very sweet – but I would like it thicker. I wanted to dollop it on top of the pie, but it wasn’t thick enough to do that. Also, the pie is plenty sweet and doesn’t really need the Whipped Cream, so when I make it again I won’t do the Whipped Cream. Yum! Guess what I’m eating today? I only made a half recipe, so today will be my last day. I’ll let you know how it kept for today, but I think it will be fine.

The day just got away from me yesterday and I didn’t get the Nori Rolls made, so that is on the agenda for today.

Recipe 28 – Sweet Apple Nori Rolls Pg 405

I am looking forward to the Nori Rolls since I am developing a taste for nori. The rolls with “cauliflower rice” were good, but the cauliflower kept falling out, so they were hard to eat. I’ll make sure the filling stays inside this time!
Have a great day un-cooking!

Annie

[anniez]

I just read in another thread that someone thought this thread is about trying the same recipes at the same time. I didn't mean to give that impression. I am just telling you which recipes I am making and talking about them, but I'd love to hear from you which recipes you've made and your comments about them! I also love to hear your tips. I want to learn from all of you!

Annie

[Veganforlife]

I just read in another thread that someone thought this thread is about trying the same recipes at the same time. I didn't mean to give that impression. I am just telling you which recipes I am making and talking about them, but I'd love to hear from you which recipes you've made and your comments about them! I also love to hear your tips. I want to learn from all of you!

Annie

Hey, the more recipes we post of Alissa's - well, how can that be a bad thing? I think hers RAWk!!!!

And she has over what? 300 recipes?

::falls backwards off chair::

[ReneeH]

The Blueberry Pie is amazing!

...Sweet Apple Nori Rolls

Hey Annie!!! I Love the Blueberry Pie and Apple Nori Rolls!!! I have photos of both of these on my 30 day thread...(guess I won't repost them here, unless you'd like me to...)

Still working through my Freezer Meals I made from my other threads... Alissa's Falafel is looking good today! Getting ready for my Boston Trip tomorrow!!! Looking forward to meeting Alissa on Saturday!!!! YEA!!!!

Don't worry...I'll give her HUGS from ALL OF YOU!!!!

[anniez]

Renee, I'd love it if you'd post any photos you have on here so folks can see them. Thanks.

Annie

[freshlight]

Don't worry...I'll give her HUGS from ALL OF YOU!!!!

oooooo yes, please! lots of big hugs :)

[somelikeitraw]

Getting ready for my Boston Trip tomorrow!!! Looking forward to meeting Alissa on Saturday!!!! YEA!!!!

Don't worry...I'll give her HUGS from ALL OF YOU!!!!

ReneeH ~
Have a wonderful trip and a fantastic time with Alissa! Thank you for delivering our hugs and appreciation!

[smasty]

Hi Guys! Since we have a massive snow storm here, I did a little cookin' today...Raw Lemon Merengue Pie but from a different cookbook. It is quite amazing...but not pretty. The filling didn't firm up enough, and the merengue was too firm...but great flavor.

I'm anxious to try the apple nori rolls--thanks for that idea. The blueberry pie has been a staple for me for years...it's so super easy to whip up and tastes wonderful. It's easy to omit the nut crust too, for people cutting down on nuts. It's amazing how all that pectin in the blueberries firms up the pie so well.

When you get to the chicken fingers with dipping sauce...they are wonderful. I only ever made them once, so that's one I'll play along with!

Don't forget to watch Top Chef tonight for a potential raw challenge.
Sue

[anniez]

Oh, Renee, today’s it! Have a great trip – you just know we will all be thinking about you and envying you! You do so much deserve it, because look at all of us that you’ve inspired! Saturday will be an amazing day for you! Do check in!

Veganforlife, did you REALLY have to remind me how many recipes are in Alissa’s book? LOL Actually, the back cover says 290! I have a ways to go, don’t I?

Smasty, when you said massive snow storm I looked to see where you are, and sure enough – CO. Our CO home is south of Denver and it’s a mess there. Hubby is there but I am in AZ where it is lovely. Today’s a mess, too, isn’t it? Did your lemon meringue pie use Irish Moss? I haven’t attempted anything with that yet, and won’t be until I finish my sojourn with Alissa’s book. I’ve heard Irish Moss is tricky. Thanks for the tip about making Blueberry Pudding – no crust. I think I will be doing that. I loved it! If you play with the Chicken Fingers, be sure and let us know what changes you make. Was Top Chef a raw challenge? It’s not on until 10 PM here, and that’s just too late for me! Have to wait for a rerun!

Well, I have been at this for two weeks and am still having a ball. And I’m not inclined to give up my goal – I WILL fix every single recipe in the book. If anyone reading this doesn’t have Alissa’s book, what are you waiting for? You have never eaten such great food as the recipes from this book! Eating great food keeps me from any desire for SAD!

I found a neat thing at Macy’s yesterday. It’s from Martha Stewart and it’s called a Jar Spatula. It’s a thin spatula. It has a silicone head that’s about 2 inches wide and a beechwood handle that’s about 8 inches long. I think it will work great for my Blendtec. I mentioned in an earlier post that sometimes it’s hard to get everything out of the blender – almond butter comes to mind. It was $5 and if it works like I think it will, it will be well worth it!

The Sweet Apple Nori Rolls are to live for! I wasn’t exactly sure how to make them because I was uncertain what Alissa meant. So here is what I did: I mentally divided the nori into thirds and put the ingredients on the middle third. Then I folded the bottom third over the middle and rolled. I’m not sure if that’s what Alissa has in mind, but it worked! And are these ever good! The crisp apple, creamy avo and honey are delicious, and the lettuce is just what it needs for a finishing touch! If you like nori you will want to try this, because it is really different! I ate the first one right after I made it. I used too much honey. My sweet tooth has really tapered off since I went raw. Also, it will depend on how sweet your apple is. Mine was pretty sweet. This is another quick, easy, delicious recipe. It will become a staple!

My buckwheat has sprouted nicely so today is:

Recipe 29 Burger Buns Pg 330 ( I am killing two birds with one stone today as I am using some burger bun dough to make the Calzone base. I will freeze that.)

Recipe 30 Fudge Balls Pg 491

Recipe 31 Almond Butter Balls Pg 510
Recipe 32 Pad Thai Pg 396 (since I need something to eat besides sweets!)

Hey, everybody! Please check in with us when you make a recipe from the book and let us know how you liked it, andany tips you may have.

Have a great day!

Annie

[Veganforlife]

Annie dear? Please don't kill those birds! What did they do to you?

Recipe 29 Burger Buns Pg 330 ( I am killing two birds with one stone today as I am using some burger bun dough to make the Calzone base. I will freeze that.)

Instead? Knock over two trashcans with one stone! Okay?

Renee? HAVE A MARVELOUS TIME!

[appifanie]

Annie dear? Please don't kill those birds! What did they do to you?

Recipe 29 Burger Buns Pg 330 ( I am killing two birds with one stone today as I am using some burger bun dough to make the Calzone base. I will freeze that.)

Instead? Knock over two trashcans with one stone! Okay?

Renee? HAVE A MARVELOUS TIME!

i belong to a (cooked) vegan forum and there's a thread where they're thinking up new ideas for statements like that

also, i was around the corner from Grezzo II yesterday but didn't know where it was! sad.