LemonHead Recipe Box

[mtmouse]

Oboy, I'm going to start doing that too! I certainly don't mind lumpy. I probably even prefer it. In fact, I often use the food processor instead of the blender for precisely that reason.

However, I'd probably do carrots and beets in the blender first, then maybe add them to my bananas, various frozen fruit, and nuts in the processor. So glad you mentioned doing that!

And as you know, I've already used lots of spinach, collards, and at least lacinato kale. And Peanut has used regular kale, following my technique. Just be sure to liquefy it first in a little water, and your smoothie will be terrific!

Mmm, don't we eat well?

[Res]

Apple Tart

This is not your normal apple tart. The healthy date, nut crust allows you to indulge without guilt or compromising flavor. It takes no time to prepare, and will please and satisfy anyone who loves apple pie.
Prep and Cook Time: 30 minutes, chilling time: about 1 hour

Ingredients:

• 2½ cups walnuts
• 1½ cups dates
• 3 green apples, such as Granny Smith
• juice of 1 lemon in 2 cups water
• ¼ tsp cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp allspice
• 1/8 tsp ground clove
• 2 TBS honey
• ½ cup apple juice
• ¼ cup raisins

Directions:

1. Combine walnuts and dates in food processor. Make sure you remove pits if dates have them and cut off end where stem was. Process until well mixed and ground, but not smooth. About 40 seconds. It should be a coarse texture when done. Press evenly into a 9 inch tart pan. Set in refrigerator while making the filling.
2. Slice apples by cutting into quarters. Cut out core and slice crosswise in ¼ inch thick slices. Put into lemon water while you finish cutting apples. Drain well in colander when done.
3. Place apples in a large skillet with rest of the ingredients and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently on medium heat.
4. Remove apples with a slotted spoon from hot pan to a bowl and cool completely.
5. Reduce liquid to about half the volume and cool separately.
6. Spread apples evenly over crust. Brush syrup over apples. Can be served right away or will keep in refrigerator until needed. Keep tart covered in refrigerator so it doesn't pick up moisture. Top with a little vanilla yogurt if desired.
   
   Serves 8

Healthy Cooking Tips: This crust is fantastic if done right. First of all, it is important to choose dates that are firm and not too gooey. Zahidi dates are usually good for this. When processing your crust you may have to do it in 2 batches. Combine half the dates and half the walnuts in each batch. Process well, but not too smooth. You should not process more than 40 seconds for each batch. You want to have a coarse texture that is still ground enough to hold together when pressed. Take a pinch of crust between your fingers and press it together. If it is over processed the crust will end up pasty and will not be good. If it is not quite ground enough it won't hold together. You can get a good idea of the consistency by looking at our photo.

[Res]

Oh, one more thought on food: I figured out how to make a green smoothie a beautiful rich red color:

Oh great - another one bites the dust! Kathy's done it again! I guess resistance IS futile!



pnut: the pumpkin pie recipe sounds fantastic! The seasons are changing and I'm in a pie mood however I don't want the usual and even my raw apple pie isn't all that appealing to me (could be due to the worst batch of apples I've ever bought). Pumpkin and ALL winter squash sounds so good about now. Keep the recipes coming!



Oh, my body has been craving "Sea Vegetables". I'm severely depleted in a few key vitamins and have been hunting around to try to find the answer via the correct food. That little nugget that I think YOU posted has been a great help. Here are a few of the benefits (OH BY THE WAY KATHY, I made a green smoothie: collards, mango, papaya, apples, blueberries and SEAWEED! I hate to admit this but it was actually good ) However I did give a bit of the roasted seaweed to my dog and she almost choked to death....Had to fish (no pun intended ) it out of her mouth...it was gooey and got stuck. Anyone eating while reading this? lol

Health Benefits

Why would anyone want to eat seaweed? Because sea vegetables offer the broadest range of minerals of any food, containing virtually all the minerals found in the ocean--the same minerals that are found in human blood. Sea vegetables are a very good source of the B-vitamin folate, and magnesium, and a good source of iron, calcium, and the B-vitamins riboflavin and pantothenic acid. In addition, seaweeds contain good amounts of lignans, plant compounds with cancer-protective properties.

A few other headings and the LINK in case you want to read it all.

Cancer Protection

Promote Healthy Thyroid Function

Nutrient Prevention of Birth Defects and Cardiovascular Disease

Anti-Inflammatory Action

Relief for Menopausal Symptoms

Stress Relief

Funny how the body craves what it needs even if it's something you don't ordinarily eat.

*Smooches to everyone!

Love,
~Res

[mtmouse]

(OH BY THE WAY KATHY, I made a green smoothie: collards, mango, papaya, apples, blueberries and SEAWEED! I hate to admit this but it was actually good )

Now, who woulda thunk it? Glad to have you on board, Res! Always room for one more!

Last night when I went to bed I was imagining this morning's smoothie with its banana and frozen berries. I've been putting red and green cabbage in mine as well as spinach or collards lately. I also wanted to try the beets and carrots like HealthyBiz mentioned. Then I woke up to 14 degrees outside, 52 degrees inside, and 5 inches of snow! However, I'm taking to heart that article that peanutterb posted about people in the cold, so I'll probably give it a whirl (so to speak, LOL) anyway!

And now, back to your other point: When I transitioned off my last cleanse and made my soup, I threw in some dulse (a kind of red seaweed) with all the other stuff. I actually think that's what made it taste so delicious!

I'm definitely going to try your apple tart recipe. Can I assume this does not qualify as raw because of the sauteing? (Not that this is too important to me since I'm certainly not eating all raw, but I just like to know for comparison purposes.)

[sopheetsa]

well-- this Recipe Box is sure poppin with awesome recipes and ideas. Res: the info on sea veggies is fantastic, and sure gives a NEW SPIN on the idea of erhum- GREEN smoothies and that apple tart smacks of this season's major delights as well as challenges.

Apropos of which, the upshot of my battle with what to do with butternut squash: The advice was great, I appreciated all the recipe ideas, thanks peanutterb!--but as my boyfriend put it-- I ended up "blogging" the squash (instead of cooking it, marinating it, turning it into spaghetti, or Yellow Yum). Now I'm popping the unpitted whole medjool dates we got from Wild Oats because what we ended up doing was going to the health food store--where I feasted on pomegranate and spelt sesame crackers, and marinated artichokes on greens. After the movies, I wasn't as good however. He took me to the cafe at Borders and the best I can say-- despite my being in what he described as an "advanced psychedelic trance" I managed NOT to eat the chocolate mudcake cheesecake pie, or the brownie with peanut butter filling-- BUT I did have a tall glass of hot chocolate AND shared 2 dark chocolate covered graham crackers.

OK, well, I brought the squash home, so, maybe I'll work up to one of those recipes-- yea, thanks for another great idea mtmouse: maybe I'll make peanutterb's/ 's Raw Squash and kumquat soup and add some dulse while I'm at it!

PS: I brought the beets in, for making the deep crimson/"GREEN" smoothies...

[peanutterb]

i was out running errands before my presentation this morning and didn't have time for a breakfast so ran into a smoothie place... smoothie planet i think, and i've been so spoilt by making my own smoothies i go "Bananas. Strawberries. Mango. Psyllium. Walnuts. Flax seed oil if you have any. Do you have any greens? lettuce or spinach? And um, and make it thick."
I kid you not, the girl blinded at me.
We just stood and looked at each other for a second. And I go, "Bananas, strawberries and mango?"
and she nods and starts making it.
those smoothie places aren't half as cool as we are.
tho they did have one with acai (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acai
) I wanted to try... maybe next time I'll take my nuts and such to add to my smoothie.

[Res]

Kathy,

Nope I wouldn't consider the pie raw...I absolutely love the look of this tart...and if the apples are only sauteed I suppose you could adjust the saute time to keep it as raw as possible.



Soph:

I've never tried tahini in a smoothie but you've mentioned it so often I think I'm going to try it. I still have that DARK BROWN tahini that I told you about...I think I'm trying to forget about it. Actually - it's not that bad. I liked burnt toast too.

Love,
~Res

[Res]

Peanut: Acai (GET IT!!) is fantastic and from the rain forest. There's a company who sells "smoothies" made with ACAI (the first ingredient) and they're part of Fair Trade. The Strawberry Smoothie is my favorite. All the rest taste like banana (which I dont' really like in a smoothie). The ACAI health benefits are great. The cost of the smoothie however seems a bit outrageous ($3.99)

Love,
~Res

[sopheetsa]

Soph:

I've never tried tahini in a smoothie but you've mentioned it so often I think I'm going to try it. I still have that DARK BROWN tahini that I told you about...I think I'm trying to forget about it. Actually - it's not that bad. I liked burnt toast too.

Love,
~Res

somehow I think YOU DO LIKE burnt toast Res!- The tahini I speak of is RAW (and may look like burn't toast but I don't know if it takes like burnt toast at all-- but) it works well for me for both taste, and as "thickener"... Now from the sound of it-- many of you DON'T WANT your green smoothies any thicker -- and ... there may be issues with "food combining".... but I LIKE tahini in my smoothie! yeay!

love,

s

PS: just went on this website that shows nutritional content to check on sesame tahini: Nutrition Data and it claims there are 33 better choices. (maybe the thing to do is add the nuts straight through-- which I DO also! )

PPS: speaking of better (or worse) choices, having just been to TGI Fridays with my whole lab for lunch, I've just been told there's Dunkin Donuts Munchkins and coffee! oh dear, where's my green smoothie when I need it, what I'd give now for a smoothie with bananas, strawberries, mango and acai!

[Res]

Cucumber and Wakame Seaweed Salad Recipe



INGREDIENTS:

1 cucumber
1/4 lb. wakame seaweed
4 tbsp rice wine vinegar
1 tbsp sugar
3 tbsp soy sauce
1/2 tsp salt

PREPARATION:

Soak wakame seaweed in water until soften. Cut cucumber into thin rounds. Put salt over cucumber slices and set aside for 30 min. Squeeze cucumber slices to remove the liquid. Mix vinegar, sugar, and soy sauce in a cup.
Cut wakame seaweed into bite-sized pieces. Put wakame seaweed and cucumber in a bowl and pour the dressing over and mix well.

Kathy, wouldn't this make a lovely green smoothie?