Banana Dressing

I always buy ripe bananas as they are usually cheaper than the unripe green crap.
Sometimes they are so ripe I can only mash them as they would not even slice :) but I love their sweetness.
This "mash" can be used as a dressing on green salad leaves (rocket, watercress etc) or it can be used as a base for a fruit salad.
You will be surprised how little amount of mash will one banana produce - usually I use 5-6 bananas to do this.

Ingredients:

5 ripe bananas
1 large lemon or two limes (juice and zest)
2 tablespoons of walnut or coconut oil (or any other nut oil)
2 tablespoons of agave syrup (or zylosweet or anything else you like to use)
a pinch of pink Himalayan salt
ground cinnamon, cardamom or any other sweet spice you have to taste

Preparation:

Peel and mash the bananas - I use my old potato masher for this.
Add all the other ingredients and mix well. It will oxidize as time goes but the taste will be better.
I use it as it is to dress green salads or mix in any diced / sliced fruit for an unusual fruit salad. It tastes great with strawberries, mangoes, pears or apples.
You may add a bit of cayenne if you would like a kick; a bit of sumac or mango powder will make it sour. Sometimes I add a bit of fresh ginger.
Also, when I prepare it with mangos or pears I usually add some chopped mint leaves as well - it tastes and looks great with the green bits.
You can add diced fresh pineapples and coconut flakes (yum).
Really, the possibilities are endless, just use your imagination (and your leftover fruit).

Chocolate banna dream shake

Servings: 3-4

Yum! this is my best shake yet

Ingredients:

1 banana
1 and 1/2 cup of almond milk
1 tablespoon of maple syrup or agave
a lot of ice
A spoon full of cacao

Blend well

Preparation:

Blend well till you feel its done and then enjoy.... its full with energy.

Picnic-In-The-Park Salad

Servings: 2 - 4

This salad is made with three simple ingredients and is loaded with flavor. It makes a great side dish...even my non-Raw friends love this salad.

Ingredients:

- 2 large carrots
- one cup walnuts (whole or halved)
- one cup sun-dried cranberries or raisins (or both)

Preparation:

Grate the carrots into a bowl. Add walnuts and cranberries. Serve and enjoy! : )

Mustard-Date-Herb Dressing

Servings: 1.5 cups

This is a great, no-fat-added dressing that really spices up your greens! It's a green color, too. :)

I think it's better with prepared mustard.

Ingredients:

3/4 c. water
2-3 dates
optional clove of garlic
optional pinch of pink salt
1 T. mustard (dijon or stoneground)
6-7 spinach leaves or collard leaf
2 T. basil
1/2 c. cilantro
1/2 c. parsley

Preparation:

Blend until smooth in a blender or Vita-Mix. Vita-Mix or a high-speed blender works best. Otherwise, you may want to soak the dates.

You can sub or add chives in as well.

Cauliflower rice

Servings: 2

I have experimented with other vegetables as well (parsnip, celery, carrots etc) but this has to be my favorite.
It is very easy and tastes fresh. I will give a few ideas for seasoning it but in case serving it with something already spicy I just stick with the basic recipe and do not add anything else.
As you leave it stand it will get a bit soggy as the salt breaks down the cauliflower. If you would like it to be more like your traditional rice I suggest after grating the cauliflower let it sit with some salt for 30 minutes and then squeeze it out before preparing your rice.

Ingredients:

1 large cauliflower
3-4 heaped tablespoons of nutritional yeast flakes
Apple cider vinegar
Extra virgin olive oil
Pink Himalayan salt

Preparation:

Grate the cauliflower (I use cheesegrater with large holes) and mix it well with the yeast flakes.
Season the mixture with ACV, olive oil and salt to taste.
This tastes quite neutral like this and compliments any spicy curry or dish very well. However, I used to prepare it with some spices added:
- Sweet: use lemon juice instead of ACV if possible and add lemon zest, ground cinnamon and cardamom and some currants to the mixture. You may sweeten it with agave nectar or honey (or anyting else you like)
- Sweet and sour: mix in agave nectar, ground sumac and dried barberries. Add a bit of fresh pineapple if you have some (cut it to very small pieces)
- Italian green: use traditional fresh italian spices like basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary and majoram
- Thai green: add finely chopped cilantro and methi leaves
- Fresh green: add finely chopped dill, parsley and tarragon
- Hungarian: season your cauliflower with paprika (dried and ground Hungarian red pepper), freshly ground black peppercorns (or use savory instead) and ground cumin
Enjoy!
Also, if you have any other ideas to make if more mouthwatering then i would be glad to hear it :)