Raw Cinnamon Chile Chocolate Truffles - Vegan and Gluten-Free

Raw Cinnamon Chili Chocolate Truffles

Wow... it surely has been a while since my last post!  So much has gone on over the past few months that I haven't been able to keep up with blogging, let alone other social sites.  All is well now.  The New Year is here and I'm ready to tackle whatever comes my way.

I made several treats for Mark's work last month and this is one of them.  I didn't take pics of the other goodies because I just wasn't in that mode.  Most of them were impromptu anyway and I didn't even write anything down.  However, this one I did because they were a big hit at his work... and are so yummy!

Cinnamon Chile Chocolate Truffles - raw and vegan of course!  Nope, they are not hot or spicy at all, there's just a subtle hint of spice.  In fact, you can omit or add more of the chile cocoa blend than what I have listed as I'm still tweaking them (I've made them twice... so far).  Plus they are not overly sweet, which I like, but you can also adjust that if you like it sweeter.


Raw Cinnamon Chile Chocolate Truffles
makes 30-34 balls, depending on how big you make them

1 cup walnuts
1 cup pecans
4 TBS heaping cacao
*1/4 tsp heaping cinnamon (I use Saigon Cinnamon)
*1/4 tsp heaping Cocoa Chile Blend
2 pinches sea salt

Place in food processor and pulse a few times or so until nuts are broken down a bit - don't over process or it will become too oily. 

Add in the following:

2 cups soft medjool dates (semi-packed)
1 tsp vanilla
1 TBS Agave or sweetener of choice (or adjust to desired sweetness)

Process until well combined and a big ball forms.  Depending on your processor, you may have to stop and scrap down the sides then start it again.  The mixture will be a little oily, but won't be once refrigerated.

Form the mixture into little balls or desired size.  I got 32 out of this batch, but would've been 34 had I not taste tested ;).  Place on a tray and loosely cover with wrap of choice then pop them in the fridge for a few hours to set.  Then put them into a container of choice and can either be stored in the fridge or freezer.  These are also very good right after making them.  Mmmmm!

*you can either omit the spices or increase the amount for more intense flavor.

Happy New Year!

Peace☮
Rocki

Cherry Chocolate Smoothie - Raw Vegan Treat

Smoothie - Cherry Chocolate

Sometimes less is more.  As is the case for my Cherry Chocolate Smoothie - and this post.

Only 3 ingredients, plus water, and you'll have a delicious smoothie treat.

Oh and just to mention... I don't like overly sweet foods and while I think this was sweet enough, feel free to add sweetener of choice if needed.


Cherry Chocolate Smoothie

2 ripe bananas: 1 frozen and 1 non-frozen
1 cup frozen cherries
1 TBS heaping cacao powder
water - start with 1/2 cup

Blend all ingredients in high powered blender until smooth and creamy.  You can adjust the consistency by adding more water to your liking.

Enjoy the simple things.

Peace☮
Rocki

Raw Taco Salad with Spicy Hemp "Cheese" Dressing - Vegan as always

Raw Vegan Taco Salad with Spicy Hemp "Cheese" Dressing

Who doesn't love taco salad - especially guilt-free eat all you want taco salad!  We eat taco salad frequently and I tend to change up some of ingredients each time, as well as the spicy "cheese" dressing. 

Above is one version that I have loaded with a rainbow of veggies on top of a bowl of greens: cherry tomatoes, red onion, green onion, red & yellow bell pepper, corn, avocado, cilantro and my Walnut Mushroom Filling that I tweaked just a tad bit (recipe below).  

Oh and Mark likes beans in his sometimes (beans do not like me), so I added pinto beans in his bowl.  On the side are my raw vegan taco chips that I have yet to write up the recipe for, but I'll do that in good time.

Raw Vegan Taco Salad with Spicy Hemp "Cheese" Dressing

This version is just about the same, but I added red cabbage and omitted the red & yellow bell peppers.  Both were served with my Spicy Hemp "Cheese" Dressing.

You can't go wrong with taco salad, or salad in general, so fill your bowls with lots of greens and add whatever veggies you love to your hearts content!


Walnut Mushroom Taco Filling II - raw & vegan
(for my nut-free version, go here)

1 heaping cup walnuts

2 1/2 cups quartered baby portobellos (8oz package)
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp ancho chili powder (I typically use more)
1 tsp smoked cumin powder
1 tsp oregano
1 Tbs Braggs liquid aminos (or Tamari)

Put all ingredients in order into food processor and pulse process until you have small bits that resemble taco meat.  Don't over process or you will end up with pate.  This will be light in color, but will darken after a little while. 

Store in fridge for a couple hours to let the ingredients mingle or serve immediately.  This is best when eaten fresh, but will last in the fridge for one extra day.

Note:  I change this recipe up almost every time I make it by adding other spices, increasing the heat, etc.  It's very versatile, so adjust to your taste buds.

 

Spicy Hemp "Cheese" Dressing

 

1 small red bell pepper - seeded

1 small banana pepper- seeded (or pepper of choice for heat)

1 large clove garlic

1/2 cup hemp heart seeds

1/4 cup nutritional yeast (needed for "cheese" flavor)

1/4 tsp ancho chili powder

juice from 1 lime

good pinch of sea salt

*1/4 cup water

 

Put all ingredients into blender and blend until smooth and creamy.  You might have to work the ingredients down with a tamper (if using vitamix) or stop and push/scrape down as needed.  *You may want to add a little more water to thin down if you like or to desired consistency.  This dressing will thicken up a little more while in the fridge.

 

You can adjust the heat by adding less of the pepper and chili powder and/or adjust to your tastes buds. 

 

Store in fridge in airtight container for up to 4-5 days, but is best eaten fresh and within 3 days.

 

Peace☮

Rocki

High Raw - Vegan Quinoa Collard Wraps with Special Sauce

High Raw Vegan Quinoa Wraps 

Occasionally I do eat cooked foods, but not very often.  When I do, I typically incorporate it with mainly raw foods.  One of the cooked foods I truly love is quinoa. 

In short, quinoa is a nutritious gluten-free seed that is a great source of complete protein and fiber.  Quinoa is used like a grain - you can use it in both savory and sweet recipes.  If you've never had it before, give it a try!

For this recipe I used cooked quinoa as the base along with a lightly steamed sweet potato (not yam) with raw veggies and my Raw Vegan Special Sauce.  My tummy isn't able to handle uncooked sweet potatoes, so I simply lightly steam them to satisfy my sensitive tummy. 

This is a very flavorful and filling meal - easily prepared with just a few basic ingredients.  I did not measure the ingredients I put into the quinoa mixture as I just went with what looked and tasted good to me.  Feel free to add or omit any of them.  However, I am including my Special Sauce recipe as that is what really makes this dish flavorful.


High Raw Vegan Quinoa Collard Wraps
approximately 8-10 wraps

Collard Leaves or other wrap of choice

cooked and cooled quinoa (1 cup dry cooked in 2 cups water as per package directions)
1 lightly steamed sweet potato - diced (not yam)
couple handfuls baby spinach - chopped
onion - thinly sliced (as much or little as you like)
avocado - sliced thin

Put all ingredients *except sliced avocado* into a large bowl and gently combine.  Set aside and make the Special Sauce.

Raw Vegan Special Sauce

1 yellow bell pepper
1/2 cup hemp heart seeds
1 banana pepper (or pepper of choice)
juice of 1 lime
small handful cilantro
1/4 tsp ancho chili powder (or to your liking)
pinch of sea salt

Blend all ingredients until smooth and creamy.  Pour sauce into the quinoa mixture bowl and gently combine.

Note about the collard leaves:  I use very large leaves that I cut along both sides of the stem, which gives me 2 leaves.  But you can do this however you like.

For each wrap: place the collard leaf on a cutting board, add a scoop of the quinoa mixture and a couple slices of avocado then roll up like a burrito.  Serve immediately and enjoy!

Peace☮
Rocki

Raw Vegan Veggie Burgers - Nut-Free Version

Raw Veggie Burgers - Vegan and Nut-Free

Super delicious and bursting with flavor raw vegan veggie burgers!  

This is one of my older recipes that I'm finally getting around to posting.  Just never thought of taking pics of these as they aren't the prettiest looking specimens, but they sure are delicious!  I make different versions of veggie burgers as I tweak them all the time.  These are nut-free, but then sometimes I feel like a nut so I'll use walnuts (tee hee hee). 

Raw Veggie Burgers in the dehydrator

While in the dehydrator, they smell soooo good that it's hard to not eat them right off the tray.  Not that I have ever done that (snicker snicker).  But it's well worth the wait. 

The recipe is super easy to make and you can adjust the seasonings and herbs to your liking.  That's one of the tweaks I make as I just let my taste buds take control - partly anyway.  So let's get to the recipe.

Raw Vegan Veggie Burgers - Nut-Free
*makes approximately 8 burgers

1 cup sunflower seeds ground to flour consistency
place in large bowl and set aside

2 large garlic cloves - minced
2 heaping cups mushrooms (quartered)
1/2 onion roughly chopped

Put the above into food processor and pulse process several times until broken down into small bits, but do not over process or it will turn into mush.  Transfer this mixture into the flour bowl and combine well.

Add the following into the flour bowl:

1 large carrot - shredded
1 large zucchini - shredded
1 1/2 TBS Braggs or Tamari
1 tsp heaping Marjoram
1 tsp basil
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp onion powder
2 TBS flax meal

Combine ingredients well.  Mixture will be thick and wet.

I make 8 large thick patties as they shrink down in size.  However, you can make them as big or small as you wish - just remember that will alter the time frame in the dehydrator.

Scoop mixture onto lined dehydrator sheet and form into a large thick pattie.  Do this for each one.  Put into the dehydrator at 145° F for 1 hour only, then turn down to 115° F.  When the top is dry to touch (about another hour or so), transfer them to mesh trays by placing a mesh sheet and tray on top of the patties, flip the trays over then slowly peel back the liner.  Put them back into the dehydrator, wet side up, until done.  They will be moist (not wet) on the inside, yet firm when done.

Total time can vary between 5-7 hours or longer due to a variety of factors (thickness and size of patties, weather, location, humidity, dehydrator, etc.).  Mine took about 6 hours total, but I live in the desert, so that is a factor.
I used romaine leaves for our "bun" and topped them with sliced tomato, onions and avocado.  These are flavorful enough so that you don't need any condiments, but if you prefer to use them then by all means go with your taste buds and enjoy!

Peace☮
Rocki