Rawsome Recipes for February 2012

Love is in the air! Even though the month of February is in the middle of winter, already we are focusing on heartwarming things like romance and Valentine’s Day and the delicious seasonal produce that February offers, such as kiwi, cherimoya, Swiss Chard, arugula, grapefruits and oranges, and cauliflower. These recipes are extremely simple yet satisfying, and will serve you and your beloved well.

Adventure Juice
How will you know if you never try?

Ingredients:
2 Swiss Chard leaves, stems intact
small handful of arugula
1 apple (preferably Granny Smith variety)
3 medium cucumbers
1 fennel bulb, trimmed and quartered

Run all ingredients through your juicer and serve in two fancy glasses. This is the way to drink a toast to a healthy day!

Cherimoya Smoothie
Just tropical enough to deserve the name. It is February after all. Mark Twain called the cherimoya “the most delicious fruit known to men.” Look for them in Asian markets. Often you will find cherimoya are sold not yet ripened. You should leave your cherimoya for several days in a paperbag at room temperature till it turns an almost brown color and feels like an almost ripened avocado. It should have some give but not be squishy when squeezed with your fingers.

Ingredients:
2 kiwi, peeled and halved
2 leaves of Swiss Chard, stems removed
1 cherimoya, seeded and fibrous center removed
water from one young Thai coconut

Blend all ingredients in a high powered blender until very smooth and pour into two small smoothie glasses for a treat that makes a meal.

Cauliflower Couscous
How can a food named Couscous not be romantic?

Ingredients:
1 head of cauliflower, cut into florets
1 cup cherry tomatoes
handful of scallions, minced
1/2 avocado, peeled and pitted and chopped
handful of fresh mint, chopped (or cilantro)
juice of one lemon
dash of celtic sea salt
¼ cup raw olives, pitted, rinsed and chopped for garnish

Place the cauliflower in a food processor and pulse until the texture resembles rice or couscous grain. Pour into a bowl and toss with the remaining ingredients.

Creamy Dreamy Dessert
All things smooth, creamy, sweet and colorful. I heart raw foods!

Ingredients:
2 cherimoya, seeded and fibrous center removed
1/2 avocado, peeled and pitted

1 Tbs. hemp seeds
dash of vanilla
dash of sea salt
dash of cinnamon
thinly sliced orange wedges

Blend all ingredients except oranges until smooth and creamy. Pour into dessert dishes or into your favorite raw pie crust. Garnish with orange slices across the top. Allow to thicken in refrigerator for at least half an hour.