Thursday, April 29, 2010

Rockefeller RawNaimo Bars



Makes 12 Decadent RawNaimo Bars

Layer 1:
5 Cups Sprouted Walnuts
1.5 Cups Raw Cacao Powder
15-18 Medjool Dates - Pitted
Zest of 1/2 Orange
Pinch of Cayenne
Pinch of Sea Salt

Layer 2:
2.5 Cups Raw Cashew Pieces
10-12 Medjool Dates - Pitted
1 Cup Melted Virgin Coconut Oil
1/2 tsp Whole Vanilla Bean Powder
Pinch of Sea Salt
Water to Cover

Layer 3:
3 Cups Raw Cacao Powder
2 Cups Melted Virgin Coconut Oil
1/2 tsp Whole Vanilla Bean Powder
2/3 Cup Yacon Syrup
Pinch of Sea Salt


Begin by sprouting your walnuts. Soak them in water overnight and rinse thoroughly in the morning. This will take away the bitterness and make digestion easier by removing the enzyme inhibitors. Allow the walnuts to dry fully before using them. You can do this in a dehydrator at no more than 41C or 105F, or by spreading them out to dry in the sun, your dining room table or anywhere spread out in a single layer.

Once the walnuts are fully dry, combine them with all the "Layer 1" ingredients in a food processor, leaving out only the Medjool dates. Once a fine consistency is reached, pitt your dates and add them to the batch. Process the works until fully combined and once the natural oils start coming out of the walnuts. Line an 8"X 12" rectangle dish with parchment paper and press in your first layer firmly.

In a double boiler (hot water in one bowl and coconut oil in another on top), melt your coconut oil for "Layer 2". While the oil is melting, in a high speed blender with a tamper (Vita Mix), combine all the remaining "Layer 2" ingredients and blend until smooth. Add the melted Coconut Oil and blend to incorporate. Pour the creamy goodness over your first layer and move on to the chocolate topping!

Using the same method for melting Coconut Oil for "Layer 2", repeat for the last layer. Once the oil is fully melted, whisk in the remaining "Layer 3" ingredients until fully incorporated. Wait until the mixture has started to thicken at room temperature, then pour it over your second layer.

Cover the whole dish with parchment paper and pop it into your freezer for 4-6 hours. At that point, score the top using a pairing knife to create guidelines for where you will be making cuts. This will prevent the chocolate from cracking in random spots as you're trying to cut it. Usually I get 12 pieces out of this batch, but you can feel free to cut smaller or bigger pieces. Whatever your heart desires. This may be a bit of a lengthy process, but I assure you, you will be rewarded for all your hard work!

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Newmarket's Era Banner Article

I got interviewed for a story on Raw Foods by the local newspaper. Read more below:





Typo 1: Last name- Milosavljevic, Typo 2: I'm the Organizer, not founder of the group.

Sunday, April 4, 2010

My Digital Haircut

I think everyone should cut their own hair...

Friday, April 2, 2010

Living Lasagna Recipe!

I recently started doing food demos at Nature's Emporium, where I work as a Raw Chef and this was the first recipe that I shared with everyone:



Living Lasagna
makes 12 servings

By Raw Chef Pedja

3 Large Zucchini
2-3 Large Tomatoes
5oz Basil or any combination of baby greens (Spinach, Arugula, Dandelion…)

Red Sauce
1 Large Tomato
1 Cup Sun-dried Tomatoes
1/8 Red Onion
1 Garlic Clove
1 Sprig of Fresh Oregano
¼ cup Raw Apple Cider Vinegar

White Sauce
1.5 Cups Raw Cashews
¼ Cup Fresh Lemon Juice
1 Garlic Clove
¼ Red Onion
1 Sprig of Fresh Oregano
½ tsp Real Sea Salt

Ground “Meat”
3 Cups Soaked Raw Walnuts
1/8 Red Onion
1 Portobello Mushroom
¼ tsp Real Sea Salt

Begin by soaking your walnuts overnight or for at least 6 hours. Rinse them well, and if possible, allow them to dry at room temperature or in a dehydrator at 41C. This will take away the bitterness and help with digestion by removing the enzyme inhibitors. Combine all Ground “Meat” ingredients in a food processor until coarsely chopped (ground meat consistency).

Prepare each of the sauces separately by combining the ingredients in a high speed blender and blending until smooth consistency is reached. When making the White Sauce, after adding all the ingredients to the blender, add just enough water to cover and blend away!

Slice your zucchinis using a mandolin at 1/8” thickness, or alternatively slice manually. Slice your tomatoes thinly as you would for a burger/sandwich and move on to assembly.

To assemble the lasagna, start by layering a single overlapping layer of zucchini at the bottom of a square/rectangle dish. Follow it by spreading your white sauce, the greens and the tomato slices, in that order. Spread most of your tomato sauce (saving ½ cup), and follow it by evenly distributing your Ground “Meat” mixture. Top the lasagna off by two additional layers of overlapping zucchini slices, place a plate on top and in one quick motion, flip the works over onto the plate. Top off the lasagna with the remaining tomato sauce and additionally sprinkle chopped or whole basil leaves on top. Enjoy!

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Due to popular demand, I'll be doing Raw Food demos twice a month, so if you're in the area (Yonge & Mulock in Newmarket, On), feel free to stop by and pick up our monthly newsletter with the calendar of events!