Strawberry Heaven: RAW Strawberry Shortcake & Avocado and Strawberries with Honey Vinaigrette

I am not sure why but Sunday was all about Strawberries!! They are so juicy and good! Plus having such sweets all day was so much fun 🙂

The Cake recipe was not super difficult but it was time consuming since all the layers have to set in the fridge for a while. But it was well worth it! Oh My Goodness it was good! Thank goodness there is still so much in the fridge 🙂 I am sure there are people out there who think that eating Raw means no dessert. Well I can safely say this cake will prove them wrong! It is also nice to know that although it is dessert, these are still ingredients that are healthy and good for you, but still should not be eaten in excess.

RAW Strawberry Shortcake

top of cake

sede of cake

sliced cake

 RAW Strawberry Shortcake
This is a recipe from Carmella of the sunnyrawkitchen.com Inspired by Cafe Gratitude’s I Am RaptureThis recipe is for a 6″ diameter pan or tub. (I increased this to fit an 8″ spring form pan – so I increased the cake recipe by 1/2)
Cake
3/4 cup well packed dates, chopped
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon vanilla
Pinch salt
1 cup ground almonds or loosely packed left-over pulp from making milk (wet pulp is fine)(I was able to use almond flour which is so perfect for this recipe!!)
1 cup dried coconut
1/2 cup cashews

Whipped Cream
1 cup cashews
1 cup + 2 tablespoons fresh coconut milk (simply blend 1 part dried coconut with 3 parts water in high speed blender)
1/8 – 1/4 cup honey or agave (depending on how sweet you like it – I like it sweet :))
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon vanilla
Pinch of salt
1/2 cup coconut butter
1 tablespoon lecithin*

Strawberry Layer and Decoration
1 1/2 cups strawberries, sliced (I used close to 2 1/2 cups with all the decoration on top! I wanted every bite to have tons of strawberries!)

*Lecithin is derived from soybeans and acts as an emulsifier. Look for lecithin (preferably non-GMO), in granules or powdered form, at your local HFS. If using granules, make sure to grind them up in a high speed blender of coffee grinder.

To make the Whipped Cream:
Blend all ingredients except lecithin until smooth. Add lecithin and blend until thoroughly mixed. Set in fridge for about 1 hr.(this is super important)

To make the Cake:
Place dates in food processor and process until a smooth paste forms. You may need to add a little water.
Then add the rest of the ingredients and mix until smooth.

Assembly:
Grease a spring form pan with a little coconut butter or line a large margarine tub with plastic film.
Next form an even layer on the bottom with half of the cake mixture.
Top with 1/2 of the strawberries, followed by some of the whipped cream. Set in fridge for 20 mins.
When firm, form another cake layer. Then top with more strawberries. (Remember to save a few for decoration).
Again top with whipped cream and set in fridge 20-30 mins.
When firm, gently remove cake from the pan or margarine tub and place on serving plate. Decorate with strawberry slices and serve.

Avocado and Strawberries with Honey Vinaigrette

I know I had already made dessert, but this salad was so decadent it felt like dessert for dinner!! The texture and taste of this dish is so delightful! This would be a perfect appetizer for a spring or summer party! It is also so simple you could throw it together in 10 minutes!

Recipe from The Daily Green

strawberry avocado salad

INGREDIENTS
2 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
3 tablespoons raw honey
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/8 teaspoon sea salt
1/16 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 avocados, peeled, pitted, and cut into wedges
8 ounces strawberries, halved

PREPARATION

  1. Whisk the lemon juice, honey, olive oil, salt, and pepper together.
  2. Arrange the avocados and strawberries on 6 salad plates.
  3. Drizzle the vinaigrette over the fruit salad. Serve immediately.

Raw Coconut Pudding

This recipe is Super Simple! I had just broke my juice feast the day before and wanted something simple but good and sweet.

If you have never had a young coconut you are missing out! The water is beyond amazing and the meat you can make so many great things with. I know that there are tons of companies (like Zico) out there selling coconut water, which is awesome when you can’t have the fresh thing. But there is nothing like super fresh coconut water from a young coconut!! It feels and taste amazing! Also please do not be intimated by the opening a young coconut. Once you get the hang of it, it is quite simple. See here step by step instructions and a video.

coconut-pudding

Raw Coconut Pudding

Serves 1

  • 1 young Coconut’s meat
  • Cinnamon to taste (optional)
  • Agave to taste
  • 1/3-1/4 cup young coconut water

Start out by blending the Young Coconut meat, cinnamon and agave. Add the coconut water to your desired texture. And enjoy, it is super good!

Dairy-free ice cream in the East Village

I have not been here yet, but so excited to try! Their coconut based ice-cream is pasteurized so it is not raw, but I am still super excited to check it out!

trio

Dairy-free ice cream without all the artificial ingredients!! No refined sugars, no animal products, no preservatives and no artificial flavorings!

Stogo, a new East Village dairy-free ice cream shop which specializes in small-batch ice creams and sorbets with all-natural, high-quality ingredients. They start with an agave-sweetened soy or coconut base, then add vegan and organic ingredients to create flavors like Salted Caramel Pecan and  Toasted Almond Joy. MMMMMM!!!!!! The toppings sound amazing as well; rich vegan hot fudge sauce,  Raw Cacao Nibs, Goji berries and more.

Stogo, 159 E. 10th St. (between Second and Third aves.); 212-677-2301 or www.stogonyc.com

RAW Brownie Bites with Vanilla Icing

I was telling my husband that I posted the yummy Chocolate Mint Candies and he said I had to let everyone know about His favorite Raw Dessert! It really is so good and super easy! Blissful!!

Raw Brownie Bites with Vanilla Icing

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Vanilla Icing

  • 2 cups Cashews
  • 2 tsp Vanilla Extract
  • 1/4 cups Raw Agave
  • 1/4-1/2 cups Water

Brownie Bites

  • 3 cups Pecans
  • 2 Tbsp Nut Butter (almond, cashew, etc.)
  • 1/4 cups Raw Agave
  • 1/4 cups Raw Cacao Powder
  • Dash of Celtic Sea salt

First make the icing so it has time to set in the fridge while you make the brownie bites. Make sure to use a Food Processor and not a Vita-Mix, as much as I love my dear Vita-mix it is not for this dessert 🙂 Blend the cashews till they are a fine texture. Add in the vanilla, agave and 1/4 cup of water. It is best to keep the icing thick, so add in more water as you process but never more than 1/2 a cup. After the icing is well combines fill up a pastry bag or ziplock and set in the fridge.

Once you have the icing in the fridge you can begin on the yummy brownie bites. Blend the pecans in the food processor till they are a fine texture. Add the ut butter, agave, raw cacao powder and salt and process until the mixture forms a ball around the blades. Transfer to a bowl and make sure everything is combined with your hands. This is a really fun part if you want to include your kids. Now form little balls of dough and flatten them to make the brownie bite rounds. They should be no more than 1 1/2″ wide. Once you have all the bites formed take your icing out the fridge and top the bites. If you want to dress them up more you can add cocoa nibs, dried fruit bits or anything else in your imagination.

These can be eaten immediately or set in the fridge to firm up. They will stay great in the fridge for over a week. ENJOY!

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Raw Chocolate Mint Candies

Happy Passover everyone! I hope this year is especially liberating for you!

I wanted to share this super delicious Candy Recipe I made last month. I only had to eat one and was super happy! So keep them in your freezer in a ziplock and pull them out when you need that fix! They are so great!

Raw Chocolate Mint Candies

  • 1 c. coconut oil
  • 1/2 c. raw cashew butter or almond butter
  • 1/3 c. agave nectar
  • 1/8 c. raw carob powder
  • 1/2 c. cacao nibs
  • 10 drops peppermint essential oil or peppermint flavoring

Place all ingredients in a high speed blender and blend until smooth. Pour into molds or ice cube tray (that is what I did); freeze for at least 30 minutes before serving.

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