"Deviled" Avocadoes

 Remember deviled eggs? This raw/vegan arrangement is a fun way to spice up your dinner or makes a great appetizer for a dinner party.
 For years I have loved the taste of Avocado mashed with a little salt and pepper, as it resembles scrambled eggs. (Try it on whole grain toast if your vegan)
 Last night I thought it would be fun to add some spice.

1. Take 3 perfectly ripe Avocados and split them legnth wise,
2. Take out the pit- using a chopping motion, aim the knife downward on the pit and hit the pit with the knife, when it sets in, pull out the pit with the knife.
3. Cut them again width wise.
4. Arrange them on  plate and sprinkle with sea salt, fresh ground pepper and just a light sprinkle of paprika.

Serves 8.

Raw Mini-Stuffed Peppers

For a fun appetizer at a potluck or a great way to mix up what you have for dinner try these super delicious mini-stuffed peppers. They can be eaten fresh and raw, or for a more intense flavor and softer shell  try dehydrating them. That's how I like them best.  They are great on a salad or can stand alone.

What you'll need:

8-10 Mini Peppers, split in half with the seeds scooped out.
Any color work, I like red best, but they usually come in a package with a variety of colors.

Cashew Pâté
2  C Cashews, soaked an hour or more (or quick soaked in warm water for 10 min., enough to make them softer)
1 1/2 C Water
1 TBSP Sea Salt
2 Med. Lemons, Juiced
1 Med. Garlic, pressed

Blend the cashews, water, sea salt, lemons, and garlic together on high. I like to blend it until creamy, but some like a more grainy texture. Add more water if you need to. This is a perfect "base" pâté as well and you can add many different flavors and textures to it, or use it plain as a spread or veggie dip.

For this stuffed pepper filling scoop out two cups of pâté and in a big bowl add:
3 large Carrots, grated
3 long Stalks of Celery, minced
3 medium Zuchinni, minced
1/4 C Nama Shoyu (opt.)
1/4 C minced White Onion
1/8 C Finely Chopped Cilantro
1 Garlic, Pressed (this is in addition to the above, so there are 2 total, unless you want to add more.)
2 tsp. dried Oregano
1/2 tsp. Cayenne Pepper

Stir together well until all the vegetables are coated then scoop out spoonfuls into the peppers. Arrange on a plate if you want to serve them right away and chill in the refrigerator. Or place on a dehydrating sheet at 118 or lower for 3-4 hours. This works great if you make this around lunch time and want to enjoy them for dinner. I hope you like it and have a wonderful dinner!
*They keep well if dehydrated in an airtight container for 1-2 days.

Kale Guacamole Dip

 It may sound weird to add kale to the already wonderful guacamole, but it was SO delicious, with absolutely no bitter taste of kale. I have had a new found love for kale lately and this recipe is a great way to incorporate the highly nutritious kale. Actually I could eat it by itself, it's that good!
This can be served as a veggie dip or with raw taco salad. Both are great.

You need:
* Food Processor
* 3 Avocados
* 1 Roma tomato, sliced in half
* 1/4 Red bell pepper, cut in half
* 1 large piece of garlic, pressed
* 1/2 tsp sea salt
* 1/2 lime, juiced
* 1-2 big stalks of kale, wash and keep just the leaves

Put everything except the kale in the food processor and pulse until slightly chunky.
Tear kale into small pieces and add to food processor. Pulse until well incorporated and there are only small pieces of kale. The mixture should still be slightly chunky. Scoop out into a bowl.

Serve with carrots, cucumbers, celery, and peppers. (The picture shown is 1/2 the batch.)

Raw Italian Tomato Snacks

When tomatoes are dehydrated they become sweeter and richer, thus the sun-dried tomato flavor that so many love. I made this when I was craving the Raw Lasagne but didn't want to make all of the fillings. It makes a pretty little appetizer or add it to any Italian meal.

4 Fresh Vine-Ripe Tomatoes, Sliced on their sides
1 Tablespoon of Raw Cheese
Italian Spice

For the Spicy Macademia Cheese:
2 C Macademia Nuts
1/2 Medium Lemon, juiced
1 T Nutritional Yeast
1-2 dashes of Cayenne Pepper
1tsp Sea Salt, or to taste
Enough Water to cover
Blend until almost creamy

Arrange Tomato slices on a dehydrator tray.
Top with a Tablespoon of Raw Cheese
Sprinkle lightly with Italian Spice (or fresh herbs)

Dehydrate about 118 for 4-6 hours or until desired outcome is achieved.
 I can hardly wait to eat them, so usually I have one raw, one a couple hours into it-which becomes mushy, but still tasty, and after the full time you have the texture of a sweet and sour sun dried tomato with slightly crispy raw cheese. I make these when I wake up so I can eat them by lunch, then put another batch in for an after dinner snack :)
~Also great on raw flat breads, crackers, or burgers.
SO delicious!

Top picture is a before shot, and I actually took them off the sheet for a faster dry.

The delicious finish

Red Bell Pepper and Thai Nut Sauce

People are always looking for great quick snacks. I discovered this one today and ended up eating half a bell pepper for lunch.

1 Red Bell Pepper, Sliced up.

*I was taught to turn the pepper upside-down and cut off the sides, then you just get the pepper and not the seeds or insides.

Thai Nut Sauce

1 C Almonds
1/2 C E.V.O.O.
1/2 C Nama Shoyu
1/2 C Agave
4 Cloves of Garlic or 1 tsp. garlic powder
Blend Almonds in a blender first, then add the rest and blend until smooth. Keep in the fridge.
This makes a great spread, dressing, or Asian flavored sauce. 

Avocado Corn Salad

Avocado  Corn Salad
This is a family favorite. Great for big groups. As a side salad or for dinner alone.

4 Large ears of raw corn or 4Cups of thawed frozen corn-I just soak it in warm water to thaw it faster.
2-3 Large ripe tomatoes or 1 C grape or cherry tomatoes
1-2 Avocados, cubed
1/2 C fresh cilantro, chopped
1 small red onion
1 red bell pepper
1-2 zucchini, chopped 
1 can drained black beans (opt. not raw) or 1 C sprouted chick peas.
Dressing:
2-3 T Olive Oil
1 Fresh lime (abt 1/4 C)
1/2 tsp. Sea Salt
1/4 tsp. Ground pepper
1 clove garlic, diced
Mix  dressing and pour over salad and stir. Serve in a lettuce wrap or alone.

*This is also a great appetizer with chips or rolled in corn tortillas. (vegan)

Cucumber Appetizer

Cucumber Appetizer
1 Cucumber sliced up
1 Drop of "Cashew Veggie Dip"
Almonds to top them with.